Think the decade you grew up in is undeniably, indisputably, undoubtably The Best?
I do.
I’m stuck in the 80s. Honestly, did it ever get better than John Farnham belting out You’re the Voice at World Expo 88 with the world’s finest mullet? (Okay, maybe it did. But still).
Different decades nailed certain styles. They also got things very, VERY wrong.
Exhibit A:
We've put together some visual cues to help decided which decade nailed what, so you can work out once and for all who did it better: you or your mum?
(I've put my choices below - but I'd love to hear why you think I'm right or wrong.)
Hair Styles
Okay, clearly the 1960s win. Farrah Fawcett's locks also deserve special mention.
And suddenly, I'm ashamed of the 80s all over again.
Fashion
Double denim and rhinestones were always going to struggle in fashion history, weren't they? The 1960s were recovering from a hippie revolution and the 1970s were finding freedom and go-go boots.
The 1970s win this round.
Cars
Cars changed markedly with each decade. Was one decade better than the other, or was it simply the evolution of technology and engineering? I don't really care.
The '60s produced some lovely looking lines and for my money, win this round.
Movies
Although the movies pictured below didn't make it into the top 5 of their decade (in gross earnings) they in my opinion, should have.
The top 5 movies from each decade, according to IMBD, are:
1960s
1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. Psycho
3. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey
5. Breakfast at Tiffany's
1970s
1. Mad Max
2. The Godfather
3. Star Wars
4. Jaws
5. Apocalypse Now
1980s
1. Mad Max 2
2. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
3. Poltergeist
4. Big Trouble in Little China
5. The Goonies.
It really is hard to go past the '80s for me. I mean, The Goonies, 16 Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off!
I say the '80s for the win this category.
Teen Idols
Where to start? Who did it best? I think we can safely say we got it right in every decade although Rob Lowe does seem to have discovered eternal youth and even at 51, he still looks pretty darn hot.
I however, cannot go past a Beatle and have to say that the '60s are the clear winners for the teen idol.
House Interiors
I think we can all agree the only winners here are the wallpaper manufacturers. Pushed to choose however, I'd say (and only because of their sweet furniture), the '60s are the winners for home interior.
Toys and Hobbies.
Each decade had a toy or hobby we simply couldn't live without:
1960s
1.Etch-a-sketch
2.Ken Doll
3.Slip n Slide
4.Barrel of Monkeys
5. Barbie Dreamhouse
1970s
1. Baby Alive
2. Shrinky Dinks
3. Magna Doodle
4. Barbie Styling Head
1980s
1. Cabbage Patch Dolls
2. Care Bears
3. Rubik's Cube
4. Pound Puppies
5. Slap Bands
Which decade did it best? Tough question - they all seemed pretty ace at the time. And they all seem pretty simple compared the 'toys' children play with today.
TV Shows
As time went on, we were lucky to have more and more choice. TV wasn't even available in the average family home until the '70s and the programs available in Australia were limited. The Brady Bunch had an epic run and I still, right through the '80s I could still came home each day and watch it after school.
It's iconic and therefore wins the '70s the crown for the best TV decade.
So there you have it, when summarised, can you definitively say one decade ended up being better to live through than another? Or, are they all unique and impossible to decide upon? Love to hear your thoughts below:
If you liked this, you might also like to take a trip down memory lane here:
Things only women born in the '60s and '70s will understand