The 1960s and 1970s were times of bold cultural revolutions in America, led by dissatisfied youth, sparking an explosion of self-expression expressed through fashion; breaking down traditional barriers that had not yet been questioned. In this article, I will compare the decade of the hippies to the decade of the punk revolution, explaining the cultural relevance and why these styles are still seen on the runways today. Despite their differences, fashion from the 60s and 70s is still used as an influence and source of inspiration by today's top designers. What were once considered very explicit and controversial fashion statements are now major trends. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay For many, the 1960s represent the era of the hippies. The 1960s were filled with rebellion fueled by the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, the space race, and a growing curiosity about other cultures. For the first time, young people were moving away from traditional norms, creating an identity for themselves and becoming the leading trendsetters in fashion. In their efforts to protest the war, hippies promoted peace and love, typically wearing baggy outfits and long hair that represented freedom and free spirit. Fashion has always been synonymous with trendy music. In the '60s, bands like the Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, and Bob Dylan were being broadcast across the country and playing songs directly related to everything the hippies stood for. In 1960, the birth control pill was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and women moved away from traditional, conservative values. The feminist movement is starting to take off and young people no longer feel the need to dress modestly. British fashion designer Mary Quant is credited with inventing the miniskirt, which became very popular in the late 1960s. According to Cultural Expressions, in the 1960s, "girls wore both short dresses and skirts that showed their legs. This was very different from the 1950s, where skirts were much longer. During this time, people became more open-minded about sex. People, especially girls, dressed more boldly than before and weren't afraid to show their skin. Before the 1960s, women wore long skirts. Blue jeans were supposed to be worn at work and were banned in public schools for both boys and girls. Today, blue jeans are a staple in everyone's wardrobe and shorter skirts are worn by women without being considered provocative. The space race was another major cultural event that inspired clothing designers to incorporate neon and metallic fabrics. Hippies moved away from traditional American life with a driving curiosity about other cultures. This led to the afro becoming a signature hairstyle, which at the time was considered very controversial. Even though the styles worn during this era were direct statements of dissatisfaction, their influence continues to appear on runways to this day. Hippies dominated the '60s scene, but as America entered the '70s, dissatisfied youth had adopted a new style that would shock the nation: punk. The word punk originated in the 1500s as an insult, and by the 1600s it was used to describe rotting wood. In the 1950s and 1960s,.