Vintage Swimsuit Inspiration - 1973

Dots and stripes.  Didn't Barbie have a striped suit like the one on the right?  You can see from today's photos how lycra changed swimwear dramatically.  Both suits by Ungaro Parallele.

Strategically placed cut-out, bracelets, and fabulous sunglasses!  Suit by Nautic
.

Simple black halter suit with a low low low-cut back.  The only accent needed is long straight hair.  Silhouette.
 

Twiggy wears a barely there hand knitted string bikini.  You can just see the openwork knitting on the top.  These teeny handmade bikinis were hugely popular in the early 70s.  Twiggy wears hers with a black wig.

Set off a simple black bikini with a printed head scarf worn around the head and then wrapped and tied at the neck.  Pierre Cardin Diffusion.

Evening Gowns, 1973

My love affair with the 70s continues.  Today, evening gowns from 1973.  Which one makes your heart beat a bit faster?

Lew Prince for Aldrich silk floral

Gina Fratini

Jean Muir

Galitzine

John Bates for Jean Varon

Bill Gibb

A 70s Moment

Kasper for Joan Leslie, 1973

Fashion designers are having a 1970s moment and there was lots of inspiration from the decade on the runways for fall.  I also find myself having a 70s moment and these looks excite me right now.  But there's a catch.  A major portion of the clothing that was produced in the 1970s was made from synthetic fabrics: polyester, nylon, orlon and acetate.  Even high end designers used them. 

Left:  Mary Ann Restivo ivory boucle cardigan and skirt, both sythetic.
Right:  Sibley-Coffee white wool jersey cardigan and skirt.

 Left:  Ole Borden for Rembrandt acetate cream blouson jacket worn over a silk print dress.
Right:  Leslie Fay 3 piece outfit: knit cardigan, polka dot blouse, and brown skirt, all in acetate.

 John Anthony silk blouse worn with Quiana nylon jacket and skirt.

Left:  Herald House knit sweater dress with matching cardigan, all in Orlon.
Right:  Clovis Ruffin 3 piece outfit, bolero jacket, t-shirt, and skirt.  Skirt is wool, other pieces are polyester.

See what I mean?  Lots of synthetics.  What about you?  Will you be wearing 70s looks for fall?  All looks shown from Spring, 1973.

New York Fashion - 1973

You can clearly see here the inspiration for recent runway looks by many designers.  Will you be adding 1970s inspired looks to your wardrobe?  Or will you choose to wear the originals that are now vintage?  Here, fashion out of New York, 1973. 

Oscar de la Renta silk blouse, wool pants and fluffy alpaca cardigan coat, all in pink.  Worn with a long scarf, a pink cloche hat and Herbert Levine platform shoes.

Christian Aujard cream silk trenchcoat, blouse and pants.  Sold for $220 in 1973 (about $1,695 in today's dollar.)  Check out that huge Bottega Veneta clutch purse and the fedora hat by Don Marshall.

Beverly Johnson models a green and white spiral striped acrylic sweater with white polyester pants by Giorgini.  Sold for $98 in 1973 (about $488 in today's dollar.)  Love the Charles Jourdan green and white spectator shoes!

Bill Blass Blassport cotton poplin trench coat and glen plaid pants worn with a Bottega Veneta shetland wool sweater.  Sold for $220 in 1973 (about $1,097 in today's dollar.)

Lauren Hutton wears an Oscar de la Renta vanilla wool suit with a white crepe de Chine blouse.  Sold for $445 in 1973 (about $2,218 in today's dollar.)