[James Matthew Najera]

General Discussion Thread 10.05.2025​

Hey GrayViners!

Isn’t it funny how styles come and go? What we once thought was the very height of fashion can make us laugh (or cringe!) when we look back at old photos. But at the time, those outfits made us feel sharp, confident, and ready to take on the world. Fashion has always had a way of capturing the spirit of a generation.

So here’s the question for today: What was considered “cool” clothing when you were a teenager? Was it saddle shoes, poodle skirts, leather jackets, polyester suits, or something else entirely?

Image credit: Unsplash/Annie Spratt

As for me—I’ll confess—it was skinny jeans. The tighter the better! At the time, I thought they were the sharpest look you could pull off.

Now it’s your turn—share your “cool” clothing memories in the forum.

I bet we’ll have a lot of laughs and maybe even a few nods of nostalgia along the way!

Cheers!
Blue

 

[Samcmillen]

When I was in high school back in the 50s, poodle skirts and saddle oxfords were very popular!

 

[terriespell]

I was in high school in the 70 s…,doesn’t seem that long ago.Though we couldn’t ware mini skirts to school at the time,very popular and boots,mine were knee high and white..Crop tops and bell bottom pants that had huge bell flares on the bottom.

 

[dlabelle777]

Bell bottom pants

 

[mar2hop2]

Believe it or not: flannels and frayed jeans . .
and that was the girls!

 

[teriterrill]

Bell bottom jeans, a bodysuit, and fringed jacket!

 

[mmarple]

Oh, I thought I was so cool wearing my white go go boots in the 60's when I was a kid!

 

[GaryBlake]

A powder blue Nehru jacket!!

 

[NIBOR0]

Bell bottoms with huge flares and very low cut. Mini skirts and 6"wedgies.

 

[NancyCL]

When I was a teenager back in the 1960s, there were different dress styles for the girls ... the "Mods" where everyone dressed British style after the Beatles, wearing Go-Go boots, mini skirts, long earrings, and white eyeshadow with black eyeliner all around, white lipstick, and teased hair. Then there was the "Colleeges" where we dressed like college kids, wearing tennis sweaters, penny loafers, turtle-necks, berets, etc. Finally, there was the hippy style, where we wore bell-bottoms, tie-dyed tee-shirts, no bras, no makeup, and headbands around our foreheads. It was a great, free, and easy time.

 

[JoyALorton]

As much as what was "cool" to wear to school in the 1950s and 1960s was what we couldn't wear. Skirts had to be long enough for the bottom to skim the floor when you knelt down. Nothing shorter or you were sent home. No jeans and no midriff tops (although I don't know if there even were midriff tops). No pants of any kind (except the last day of school which was a "play day." I especially liked wearing sneakers of different colors to match my outfit.I didn’t know it at the time, but my boyfriend gave me several different colors of sneakers that he and his buddy had stolen from inventory of the two stores where they worked. I just liked the sneakers in ignorant bliss.

 

[DaveB48]

For me it was bleeding madras shirts and white Levi jeans. The colored designs on the shirts would run together, or "bleed," when washed. This was in 1966-67.

 

[hawaiimegrl]

One thing that was popular in the 70s was Ditto brand pants. They had the distinctive seam that went down the back of one leg, over the bum and down the other leg. I had a sky blue pair and loved them. Also platform shoes.

 

[RoyzToyz]

Back in the day I would spray bleach on a pair of dark blue denim jeans or a denim jacket. Oh, how I loved the look ! (my mother was not fond of this idea)

 

[Cindy k]

As a teenager in the 70's hip huggers were the thing! I was begging for a pair so I could feel cool. My dad finally relented. I felt like I was walking on air the first time I wore them to school.

 

[tabuck07]

Hip hugger jeans with bell bottoms

 

[moredolls]

it was bobby socks saddle oxford shoes and poodle skirts..those were the best days

 

[Wheream1?]

Hip hugger bell bottoms and mini skirts

 

[Hazeleyes]

It was designer jeans and bell bottoms.
I liked being a bit different and my first year of high school I wore jeans with a dress shirt, blazer jacket and wore my father’s ties.
Going to bars and clubs wore skirts or black satin (second skin) stretch pants.

 

[Machbaby]

In the 70's, hip hugging bell bottoms or very short mini skirts/dresses