....jackie_monroe.......I meant to tell you how interesting your October 14 post was on the California thread. I'm not old enough to remember exactly what it was like, but the way they portrayed the Euro jet-setters and just everything about it seemed very very familiar. So many people disliked that episode, and California. What it did for me is make me realize how alien the entire New York zeitgeist is for me, never having been there, and how much that could detract from getting the most out of the series. Especially back then, as you mentioned. Don't get me wrong though - I love New York.

I wrote a post a LOOOONG time ago about the beauty trends and how they have changed.

That post celebrated the unbobbed noses, the un-straightened and unveneered teeth in Mad Men. No spray-on tans, no Malibu Barbie hair, no contact lenses, no silicone boobs. Even pierced ears were considered strictly for "chippies."

Back in those days, my mother would talk about how certain women, although not classically beautiful, had a certain "something," and always seemed to be dripping with men.

That, regardless of a large nose, crooked teeth, a flat chest, kinky hair or heavy ankles, some women just had "it," and men simply found them irresistable.

I suppose the term was "sex appeal," and now I'm curious when exactly it came into the popular vernacular.

Thanks for another interesting post. Excuse me while I go make that appointment with the plastic surgeon.

Au contrere Jackie. I was in my 20s in the 1960's and, in my strong belief, ladies were MUCH more glamorous than they are today. You dressed up for everything and wouldn't be caught dead without makeup, hair done to perfection, the latest styles in clothing,etc., even to take the trash out. I remember going to dances and nightclubs in backless dresses, halter dresses, fur coats and chandelier earrings I look around today and see everyone in sweats, jeans and sneakers. I retired a couple of years ago and lived with casual Fridays and eventually casual every day in offices.

I think "wasthere" is correct. I was also in my 20s at that time. Must have had 4 pair of white gloves and a dozen pair of nylons/pantyhose. Everyone dressed up when going to work or downtown. I worked in an office with about 20 other women. It was unheard of to wear slacks or anything casual. The men always wore suites and ties and polished shoes. There seemed to be an underlying tone of respect for each other in those days, too. Maybe because we considered ourselves ladies and gentlemen.

I think the casualness started during the "hippie" explosion: tie-dyed tees, jeans, uncombed long hair, (men and women!), no bras, and all the rest...and a great lax in morals as well, IMHO.

As to plastic surgery and beauty enhancements, that was for movie stars and the ultra rich. We ordinary people made the best of what God and Nature gave us.

p.s. make that suits, not suites!

I was a teenager at the time and brought up with the gloves and hat and how to sit and stand, letting the man walk on the side of the sidewalk that faced the street, letting the boy order for you at the restaurant, etc. There was a rule for everything. We even dressed up to go shopping and to to the dentist or doctor.

By the time I actually came of age in the late 60s/early 70s, the casualness was beginning to appear. The natural look was in vogue with models like Lauren Hutton, Cheryl Tiegs, and the straight hair - the straighter the better.

Rozsie, you are so right about the plastic surgery - except I did know a few people who had nose jobs. Then, later in life they were surprised when their own children were born with noses like they had had fixed - guess they thought the plastic surgery changed the genes! :)

I agree with wastehre and the others. In the 60's you were expected to dress up for everything. In high school (1962-1966) I took a business etiquette course. It was part of the secretarial training curriculum. We were taught that you always always wore a suit, pumps, gloves and a hat to job interviews - always! No one went to church in jeans. You wore a dress, a hat, and gloves. Women wore hats and gloves to go shopping, to go to the doctor, etc. I don't ever remember my mother wearing a pair of slacks until much much later! It wasn't until the late 60's (68, 69) that the counter-culture began influencing dress and young people started dressing casually, in jeans, weird clothes, and mini-skirts. i went through that stage too! Then in the early 70's there was the whole "earthy" look.

.....jackie_monroe......Were you referencing facial beauty or fashion or just glamour in general?

Not sure where you meant this thread to go....

The Women in the sixty era were glamourous and much more attractive than the women of today. That was my time and I remember it well. Those of us that grew up in that time miss all those women Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, and I could go on and on. We wore lots of makeup and when I was in High School all the girls that needed got their noses done. It was not as casual as it is now. Now you can wear Jeans anyplace but in that time you dressed up. In Las Vegas when anyone went to the shows they wore dresses and men wore suits and ties. Now people just wear jeans and I guess they are more comfortable. But, I really miss the glamour of that time.

Hi Maddicts!
I was a kid during the early 60's, but, I remember the fashion rules.
Cotton gloves when dressed up.
Hats, or chapel caps in Church.
No white before Memorial Day, no white after Labor Day.
No pants for girls in school.
Girdles, or garter belts with stockings (before pantyhose).
This wasn't a "rule" but a must have for Summer: P.F. Flyers, or Keds sneakers!!