Every once in a while social, cultural and political events converge in a year that changes everything. 1964 was one of those years. It was the year of the Civil Rights Act that prohibited race and gender discrimination. President Johnson said it would cost the Democratic Party the South for a generation. Seeing that it’s two generations since then and the Southern Strategy still dominates electoral politics, he gave people too much credit. 1964 was the year America began bombing in Vietnam. Contrary to the stereotypical Archie Bunker, the majority of the working class was opposed to the war which was most strongly supported by economic and cultural elites – a natural byproduct of the college exemption from the draft that placed the risks of war solidly on the poor and working class, just as they shoulder the majority of the risk today.

In fashion, it was the year of discotheque. Couregges invented the miniskirt and Quant popularized it. Hemlines became shorter and sleeves became tighter. The emphasis in form was on slender lines and slim silhouettes. Waistlines were dropped low in daywear. Favorite fabrics were wool and linen. White was the most popular color. Gogo boots conquered the world.

Shorter hemlines led to shorter and softer hairstyles, hair that would move on the dance floor. Jewelry was limited to one dramatic element, like earrings which became larger and longer than before. Lipstick was light and liner was heavy. It was a new look, one that frightened the older generation and set the younger generation apart in a visually and cultural distinct way.

And in music, too, 1964 changed the world. Music was revolutionized by the Beatles who touched town in America for the Ed Sullivan show in 1964. Also coming to America that year were the Rolling Stones. The world of music would never be the same again. Come visit 1964 at The Velvet this Wednesday night from 7 to 9 as Maht Wuyts continues his Rock Per Annum revue of the last 52 years of rock.

****STYLE NOTES******
Poses: StoRin
Skin: Tres Blah -tb- {Light} Blessa: Bardot – Red Brows
Eyes: Poetic Colors Forest Morning
Hair: ^;^CaTwA^;^ Saja HairStyle/Copper
Lashes: [LeLutka]-2011 lashes
Dress: tram -napoleon mini op(Mesh)
Boots: [Gos] Curvaceous Boot
Earrings: =DeLa*= Earring “Berlioz” Brown