31 Of The Most Bizarre Trends Of The 50s And 60s

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Paper dresses, anyone?

Wikipedia

Yes, you read that right—dresses made of paper. The Scott Paper Company first introduced the paper dress to the public in 1966, in response to the clamor for new ways of self-expression that was part-and-parcel of the 60s psyche. Numerous designers and manufacturers jumped on the paper dress bandwagon, churning out disposable A-line shift-style dress that typically featured bright, bold graphic patterns and prints. These dresses quickly caught on, and eventually evolved to “poster dresses,” the most iconic of which was “The Souper Dress,” inspired by Andy Warhol’s Campbell soup cans painting. Of course, paper dresses were prone to ripping, creasing, and tearing, and many women did not want to toss the dress after just one wear. So, manufacturers and designers met the challenge by using sturdier materials and mixing synthetic fibers (like rayon and polyester) with the wood pulp in the construction of the garments. The new and improved paper dresses could be “refreshed” with a cool iron, and even washed once or twice. Due to its overall impracticality, however, “throwaway” fashion was a fad that came and went within two years. By the end of 1968, paper dresses were junked for more sensible sartorial selections.