1970's Sundresses
The seventies brought with it a clothes mutiny. Feminist clothes liberated ladies to pick how they felt like dressing every day, even if it differed occasionally. Wee skirts, long dresses, knee-length skirts, short-shorts, jeans, and sundresses reflected the fashionistas that were questing for insight. The fabrics for these sundresses included colorful and Pollynesian motifs, ever inspiring the aspirant clothes designer. Dressy affairs liberated for designer or pret a porte sundresses that included sequined material or exotic prints. These dresses evolved from high traditional necklines covered in lace embellishments to brief and mini dresses which stopped at the knee or above. Sundresses from the Seventies included a yoked neck, or dresses with a squared neckline bodice. In either instance, these dresses increased the impulse to get a tan. The halter neck sundress was the paramount success of the 1970s in terms of formal wear and day time clothes. The dresses' cuts were maxi or above one's knee making it a smash at the discoteques.
Tourism was made easier during the 1970s that changed the philosophy of so-called hippie clothing that included trimmings and values from each individual crossroads. Enclosed air-conditioned vehicles and central heating systems required dresses which were lighter and user friendly to the heat. While allowing women with exposure, sundresses were ideal for driving and ladies no longer needed to wear a full body length coat. England adopted central heating in each home and store, making it no problem for ladies to don lighter and more bold dresses cognizant that they need only endure cold for the period endured between cars and their homes. Sundresses were complemented with summer wool velour jackets, dyed raincoats, velvet jackets, and padded duvet coats.
Other countries held sway on Seventies sundresses with unusual cloths and prints. Nehru collars were worn with dresses, while Yves St. Laurent carefully extracted values from djellabas from Northern Africa, jalabiyas, caftans, kaftans, muumuus, and asian garb to bring forth comfort dresses and household type gowns. The ethnic influences of the 1970s sundresses did not stop here. Crochet waistcoats, shawls, ponchos, bikinis, and frilled petticoat hemlines underneath sundresses became quite legendary. Round pleated skirts were combined with patchwork print with other effects to produce a girlish style line. Indian designers manufactured dresses made of cotton voile and overprinted in gold. These colors expounded upon the neutral plaid of the initial sundresses and included bright pinks, blues, and aqua.
Cultural influences continued with Afghan fur border as well as cheesecloth materials during the 1970s. Chiffons were mixed with cotton voiles while Broderie Anglaise proffered an innocent fashion style and cheesecloths were used flared away from the midriff, a higher flare than the original sundresses that began beneath the waist. Modifying the sundress' vibe was high-heeled shoes. These shoes peaked with four inches of elevation with a sole 1 inch thick. Cream colored sundresses were popular when worn with black platform shoes. Mixing and matching knitwear complemented the sundresses of the 1970's. Making them respectable day time attire in the fall and frosty spring mornings, matching knitted and jersey fabrics were seen in zig zag patterns and cheerful hues, accenting a plain sundress or accenting a print dress. When cooler weather arrived, acrylic scarves, wool scarves, knitted chenille hats, and matching gloves were mixed with knitted sweaters covering dresses.
About the Author
Ariel Honomua is an passionate quilter and lifelong Hawaii resident. She lives with her two dogs and husband on the island of Maui where she continues to write and sew. Find her latest sundresses at http://www.sundresses.net