That Favorite Dress

I didn’t live in my favorite fashion era, post-World War I to 1925, and I’m very thankful for so many reasons, including penicillin and swimwear. So, my second favorite style period is whatever moment I’m in currently. Yes, the 70’s was my favorite fashion time during that decade, and I was definitely a victim of it. With great joy I rode the wave of mini’s, midi’s, and maxi’s, Granny dresses, plaid pantsuits, suede lace-up boots, platforms, and my “unfortunate disco period.”

Charlie's Angels

 

To revisit all those evolving trends that I apparently enjoyed, I made a list of my “looks” through the 80’s, 90’s, and into the new century.

The She-Man 80’s

With a bit more maturity and self-confidence, I created my own version of the decade of the Iron Woman. Although I avoided the claw-nails, over-done make-up, and giant hair, I admit my mid-decade short bob was permed. Padded shoulders were de rigueur, but my power suit was pin-striped, narrow, and worn with an oxford shirt and man-knotted tie.

Melanie Griffith in Working Girl

Leaving the corporate world for art school and with my overt involvement in the women’s movement now history, I knew my power was on the inside. So I could wear clingy shapes that emphasized my aerobic-tight body, and still feel Helen Reddy’s anthem, “I am woman, hear me roar.”

The All-Over-The-Place ‘90’s

Like every decade, there’s no defining line for fashion change, and my own decade began with some softer, left-over shoulder pads from the 80’s, very short, straight hair, and leggings. That evolved into an odd combination of earthy/preppy, involving Birkenstocks, a Tag watch, and polo shirts. 

This gave way to, as my assistant called it, my “Ojai” period. Oversized jumpers, soft tunics, large ethnic jewelry, and wide pants that a friend described as, “Why didn’t you just come to work in your pajamas?”

The end of the decade brought the beginning of my very short Jackie O era. Since, as a museum employee, I had so many luncheons to attend with designer-clad women, my wardrobe seemed to fill with short suit-skirts paired with interesting jackets I found at the old Loehman’s “Back Room”, actual pantyhose, and “woman politician” necklaces.

The Anything Goes New Century

Several years into the new century, I left the art world job market and segued into animal rescue. When my shelter volunteer’s t-shirt, hiking pants and boots weren’t in use, I now had the time to express my wardrobe even more artistically. Although Jackie O could still be found in some great fitted dresses in my closet, I had the leisure to hand-paint, stencil, or block print fabrics into my own beautiful creations. Downton Abby took me back to my favorite fashion period, and even a Liberty print or two shows up in a few hand-sewn pieces.

The fashion world announced that styles and trends can go anywhere today. Millenials are revisiting the ‘70’s and everything that was old is new again. The 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s are reincarnated by designers everywhere, and women have the freedom to make their own looks without fashion magazines’ dictation.

So, although I really resent that my aging body can’t wear everything anymore and I no longer have Michelle Obama arms to show, this is my new favorite fashion period. I have more restrictions on what I can wear, but, as a textile designer, I always knew that the more restrictions I was given, the more my creativity was challenged. If I was told I could only use three colors in a design, I would mix half and quarter tones of those three colors, and create some of my most inspired patterns. So, today, within the physical restrictions that I impose upon myself, I’m finding much more creative ways to dress that don’t rely on my beautiful young body. The silhouette has taken a back seat to beautiful fabrics, used alone or paired with a luscious contrast, and accessories are even more fun.

Japanese Ikat 100% Cotton

This time in my life has given my creativity a whole new way to express itself, keeping me youthful, but still a bit of an age-appropriate rebel. This is definitely my new favorite fashion era.