The cultural upheaval of the 1960s in the U.S. gave us some of the greatest fashion influences of the 20th century, and the influences of various subcultures like hippies or disco-goers have extended well into the 21st as well. In 1969, LIFE Magazine decided to photograph the fashions that American high schoolers across the country were wearing, which is why we’ve got these brilliant photos to share with you today.
The cultural revolution against the mainstream captured the imagination of an entire era, and people became more liberated – in terms of sexuality, musical taste and self-expression – than ever before. Short skirts, funky tights and extravagant shoes flourished, and people weren’t afraid to show a bit of skin.
Check out these photos for a nostalgic look at the groovy garb of yesteryear!
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| “Beverly Hills High School student Erica Farber, wearing a checkered and tiered outfit, walks with a boy, 1969.” |
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| “High school student band, in California.” |
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| “High school student wearing bell bottoms and boots, 1969.” |
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| “Student Rosemary Shoong at Beverly Hills High School, wearing a dress she made herself, 1969.” |
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| “High school teacher Sandy Brockman wears a bold print dress, 1969.” |
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| “A Southern California high school student walks toward classmates while wearing the “Mini Jupe” skirt, 1969.” |
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| “Southern California high school students, 1969.” |
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| “High schooler Lenore Reday stops traffic while wearing a bell-bottomed jump suit in Newport Beach, Calif., 1969.” |
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| “High school students wearing “hippie” fashion, 1969.” |
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| “Corona del Mar High School students Kim Robertson, Pat Auvenshine and Pam Pepin wear “hippie” fashions, 1969,” – LIFE magazine. |
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| “Southern California high school students, 1969.” |
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| “High school fashions, 1969.” |
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| “Southern California high schooler wears a buckskin vest and other hippie fashions, 1969.” |
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| “Southern California high schooler wears a buckskin vest and other hippie fashions, 1969.” |
