Longing for Yesterday…Even if we don’t remember it.

Have you noticed the trend lately?  It is everywhere from the styles in the fashion magazines to the new shows on TV.  It has cropped up in movies, bestselling books, even music talks of greats of an era long gone.  I’m talking about the 1960’s of course- after the poodles, but before the flower powered bell bottoms. 

It wasn’t as if the 60’s were without flaws.  From Kennedy to King, not to mention Cuba or the Viet Kong, the 1960’s were a decade of uproar and unrest.  So what is this fascination we are seeing? 

Is it a longing for yesterday?  A simpler time before blogs and computers, where eight channels was unheard of and dialing a phone was a literal statement.  Ah, maybe that is it.   People long for a time when the networks pushed the envelope by putting thirty second breaks between shows, when color TV was still a big deal and Ed Sullivan was the place to be. 

Yes, there was a lot of focus on TV back then, because it truly was the window to the world.  People watched the Moon Landing, the first raw, live coverage of war, they watched the music legends beginnings and learned about the first heart transplant.  The heard the president had been shot, heard Dr. King’s dream and then his shooting five years later.  In many ways the 1960’s were a dawning of a very electronic age.  So is that why so many people, most who weren’t even born during it, seem fascinated with the era?

I think no.  I believe the clothes have everything to do with it.  In a society where Walmart picture emails are clogging up your in box and t-shirt without holes is business casual, I think Americans miss a time when people looked nice.  Their shirts were pressed, their makeup was on, even their hair was done- and not in a cute baseball cap.  Woman wore heals to the market and men wore ties to the office.  Kids were clean and presentable.  A time when the lawns was perfect and without a brown spot from a neighborhood dog.  BBQ’s included the whole block (with red and white table clothes of course) and summertime for children meant complete freedom (as long as they didn’t get too dirty).  I think it was all about the styles.  The clothes, the hair, even the gloves.  Americans miss the pretty version of what we used to be.

Now, don’t get me wrong, they miss it, but not enough to pull out the crinoline and girdles.  The long for the beauty – the pomp and circumstance if you will, but not enough to actually change out of their comfy pj pants and miss matched sweat socks.  Instead, they will watch the programs, read the books and admire the images of yesteryear. 

And please don’t think I’m judging- I’m not.  I have to admit I know this from experience.  I love the look of the 1960’s, the crisp stiffness of their aprons, the perfect wave in their hair.  And many times, I try to copy it, but sadly I always fall short.  I don’t have the skills. 

Maybe that is what we are all looking backward for.  Maybe we are wishing we could learn some things from watching and reading about an era of change, upheaval and unjust actions.  Maybe we are searching for the perfect way to wear those accessories, or hat.  But maybe instead we will glean the skills left to be taught by that generation.   Without realizing it, maybe reliving that time, through movies and books, we will subconsciously learn the rest of the lessons we, as America, have yet to master.