Proof Our Parents Were Cooler Than We’ll Ever Be
We tend to think of our parents and grandparents as washed-up old folks who can't keep up with current trends, but it turns out that, back in the day, they were a lot cooler than you or me. In fact, our parents and grandparents may actually be the epitome of cool.
Keep reading to see some old photos that have only gained charm and coolness after all these years. We could only hope that our selfies and Tik Toks look this good in 50 years.
Motorcycle For Sale
Well, this photo certainly tells a whole story. It seems like that motorcycle might be the reason why this guy has a broken leg. This photo was taken back in 1976.
Meeting The One And Only B.I.G.
Reddit user sloanmar posted this iconic photo online along with the caption, "My dad and the Notorious B.I.G. circa 1996 when he visited my dad's clothing store in Detroit, Michigan."
Just A Group Of Friends Having Fun In The '80s
Could this picture be any more '80s? Reddit user tomjulio posted this photo of his parents and their group of friends online. The short shorts were really, well, short in the '80s.
She Jumped On Stage
Reddit user se7en30 posted this photo online along with the caption, "My aunt with Angus Young in the early '80s. This was taken after she went out on stage with AC/DC and just kind of jumped around wearing the iconic schoolboy outfit."
A Wedding To Remember
This Reddit user spent some time restoring her parents' wedding photo. Now it looks as good as new. This photo was taken in 1957, which was a heck of a long time ago.
Sneaking A Drink
This photo was taken in 1987. This kid (who is now a parent himself) was sneaking a drink of wine at a wedding when his mom wasn't looking. Kudos to the photographer for capturing this shot.
Mom In The Early '70s
Reddit user puggernault shared this picture of his mom from the early '70s. We're not sure how she managed to ride that motorbike in a long skirt, but hey, she looks great standing next to it.
Just A Couple Of Kids
Reddit user jensinec posted this photo of her parents online along with the caption, "My parents in the early '80s during their honeymoon with matching sneakers." Well, aren't these two the very definition of "cool."
The Coolest Man Who Ever Lived
Everything about this photo reeks of coolness. The gray streak in this guy's hair, the way he's sitting on the grass, his Johnny Depp swagger. I love this. Apparently, this guy was always self-conscious about his hair because he was teased about it as a kid.
When Your Grandmother Was A Movie Star
Reddit user musiclife46 posted this photo online along with the caption, "This is an amazing photo. My Great Grandma (second from right) and her sister (far left) as actresses in a silent movie in the 1920s."
What A Hairdo
Reddit user Maire13 posted this photo online. This is a picture of her mom that was taken by her dad in 1966 in Japan. We love the big hair and the winged eyeliner.
Dangerous Curves
Well, it looks like somebody's grandmother had a sense of humor. Reddit user YiddishThunder posted this photo online along with the caption, "My Grandmother Nancy on her honeymoon near Capitan, NM. Taken by my grandfather on a Kodak Kodachrome, 1949."
Hanging Out In A Van
Reddit user kwgnuemu posted this photo online stating that this picture of his parents was taken in 1974. They're standing in front of the van that was most likely the site of his conception.
A Popeye Impersonator
Reddit user Idkm8thisishard posted this photo of his great grandfather on the internet. Yes, his great grandfather was a Popeye impersonator. This photo was taken in the 1930s. He looks like quite a character.
At The Helm Of The Ship
Reddit user jeffpeepgrass posted this photo online along with the caption, "My Uncle Billy just turned 90, so here's him on his boat during the early '80s." He's the captain now.
On The Set Of A Movie
Reddit user GoodSquirrelGoneBad shared this photo of his dad working on the set of the movie Critters in the 1980s. It looks like some of the critters in that film were rather terrifying.
Mom And Dad
This photo was taken in 1987 when Reddit user hlg97's parents were 16 and 17 years old. These two are still together to this day. They look so punk rock in this photo.
His Mom Dated Jason Bateman
Reddit user bhuge33 posted this photo online along with the caption, "Talking with my mom about Ozark and she told me she went skiing with Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) back on New Year's Day 1987."
Hitting The Pavement
Reddit user fulltimeanalyst posted this photo online. It features his father carving up some pavement on his skateboard back in the 1980s. He looks like a pretty cool dude to me.
An Old-School Selfie
This is a photo of Reddit user RAZORBACK's grandfather taking a selfie by pressing the camera shutter with a long stick. This is how people used to take selfies back in the day.
Is That Chris Pratt?
Reddit user deeznuts3295 posted this photo of his father online. Is it just me, or does his dad look an awful lot like Chris Pratt? Does this mean that Chris Pratt is a time traveler?
Meeting For Lunch
Reddit user FabBee123 posted this photo of her parents online. This seriously looks like a still from a movie. I can't believe that people used to casually go out for lunch looking this fabulous.
Boxing With A Goat
Reddit user dzeil posted this photo online of his grandfather getting into a boxing match with a goat. We may never know who won this fight, but it seems like the goat has an advantage with those super sharp horns.
All Dressed Up
Reddit user 19266042 posted this photo online along with the caption, "It was a very good year for a pink polyester tuxedo with my larger than life Afro." He looks fantastic!
Sliding Into The New Year Like...
Well, that settles it. We will never reach this level of coolness. This very muscular dad waterskiing with no hands is peak cool. How are we expected to live up to this?
Gas Station Chic
Reddit user dangerbhapa posted this photo online along with the caption, "I was told this might be appreciated here: My dad and those amazing pants posing in his first gas station... Early 90s."
When Your Grandmother Was A Spy
Reddit user Aek2332 shared this photo and wrote, "My grandmother was a code girl during WWII. It was her best-kept secret until 2017." She certainly looks like she has a lot of secrets.
On Their Honeymoon
These two cool cats are on their honeymoon in Scotland. We can't get enough of this dude's monochromatic outfit and his wife's very white boots. They look like they belong on a movie poster.
She Dated Arnold Schwarzenegger
It turns out that this guy's mom actually went on a date with Arnold Schwarzenegger back in the day. This photo was taken in the 1970s. Okay, this mom gets all of the cool points.
