Givenchy - 1959 and 1984

  Last night, I found this photo of an Hubert de Givenchy couture evening gown from 1959. I love polka dots!

In a serendipitous chance of symmetry, this morning, I found this image of an Hubert de Givenchy couture gown from 1984.  What goes around comes around...again and again.

Krizia, 1984

I've talked about Bergdorf Goodman ads in the past.  Often found on page 1 of Vogue, the company was genius at catching your eye with black and white artwork or photography.  In the 50s and 60s, their ads featured wonderful descriptions that described the garments.  In the ad shown here for Krizia in the Spring of 1984, Bergdorf's lets the clothing speak for itself.  There is no attribution for the artist who did this marvelous pencil sketch, but it certainly captured my attention this morning!

Ad from page 1 of Vogue, February 1984.

Quirky Fashion of 1984

When I started my own business in the 80s, these weren't the clothes I liked or wore. I was more traditional in my taste. Now, nearly 30 years later, there is something about the quirky clothing featured in this editorial from 1984 that I really, really love. The unexpected shapes, the combination of patterns, and the neutral colors all strike me as very, very wearable at this stage of my life (sans shoulder pads and crazy hair, of course.)

One of my favorite daily reads is Ari's blog, Advanced Style. The women Ari features have inspired me to bolder choices, especially with my accessories. And today, these images from 1984 have come along to inspire me to look for new/old shapes and textures in my clothing. What do they say to you?

Loose top and bias cut longer skirt by Oscar de la Renta in a fun combination of stripes and checks. Both pieces in linen. Anthony Ferrara mesh and black leather belt. Norma Kamali tights. Bottega Veneta luggage.

Issey Miyake combines various striped cottons into a full blouse over cullottes. Wide belt by Harry Parnass. Striped tights by Hue. Shoes by Armando Pollini. Satchel by Albert Nipon and suitcase by La Bagagerie.

Issey Miyake oversized and sleeveless sweater worn with a striped cotton wrap skirt. Black fishnets are worn over brown tights. Lancel luggage.

Zoran black cotton sweater and linen sarong style wrap skirt belted narrowly. Patchwork fur bag by Rafael Sanchez. Joan and David Shoes. Lancel luggage.

Salvatore Ferragamo cropped linen pants in a subtle botanical print and oversized black cotton shirt. Lancel bag. Shoes by Vittorio Ricci.

Vintage Swimsuits - 1984

Funny Girl brand stripe maillot

Today, a look at swimsuits from 1984. Legs were cut high on the sides, sometimes almost to the waist. One piece maillots in bright acid colors were high on the list of must-haves. Warm sun and sand were preferred. Hope your weekend includes one or both!

Ariel brand nylon/lycra with a shiny finish

Armonia, Italy strapless maillot with feather print.

Jean-Remy Daumas neon pink with halter strap.

DeWeese Designs flower petal bikini and cover-up.

Arena stripe with criss-cross straps in back.

Norma Kamali OMO two piece with a strapless 8-gore bustier top and high cut bottom.

Why Don't You....

...take a bit of sequined lace and use it as a scarf to wear around your head? Andi McDowell works the look to great effect with her curly hair, shown here in photos by Eric Boman for Vogue 1984. Hair by Sam McKnight.

Or, why don't you wear a heart-shaped rhinestone brooch on your sleeve?

Black wool jersey top and skirt by Geoffrey Beene closes with rhinestone buttons down the front. Set sold for $1195.00 in 1984 (about $2452.00 in today's dollar). Match it with Beene's floor-length rain slicker that sold for $510 in 1984 (about $1047 in today's dollar).

And The Answer Is....

...1984! You guys are good! You were all close. I tried to make it a little harder by changing the image to grayscale, but I still didn't stump you.

The image was from an ad for Cutex nail color and lipstick. Here are more images from 1984 to inspire you today.

Hair Styles - 1984

Architectural, asymmetric, and like awesome! This is like, totally dude, like how we wore our hair in 1984. Omigawd!

My Alter Ego - 1984

In 1984, I was a young stay-at-home mom with two children under the age of 6. My standard outfit was jeans, an oversize t-shirt, and sneakers. But, when perusing fashion magazines, this was the woman I longed to be. This was my alter ego. Powerful, in charge, important, and dressed in beautiful clothes. That's not to say I wasn't important and in charge, but at that time, I often felt like my life was out of control. Who wouldn't with preschoolers underfoot and a household to run? And dressing like she did? Out of the question.

A few short years later, I had started my own business, and this was how I dressed when I traveled to trade shows in New York (I substituted spike heels for the boots and didn't carry a polo mallet). My true self had emerged. Personal style is a huge part of who we are, and dressing in a look that expresses that style gives us natural self confidence.

Who is your fashion alter ego? Have you ever found an image in a fashion magazine and grown into the style as I did? I'd love to hear your story.

Shown above: Navy gabardine blouse and fawn twill skirt by Donna Karan and Louis Dell 'Olio for Anne Klein.

Passion for London Fashion - 1984

London first became a leader of unconventional fashion in the mid 1960's with the Boutique movement sparked by such designers as Mary Quant and Ossie Clark. Flamboyant style continued to flow out of London in the 80's, where several new young designers generated fashion excitement. Here, some looks from 1984 that combine soft man-tailoring with boyish charm. Men's and women's wear are combined with fabulous results.

Do these looks inpire you for fall? Not that you'd want to wear these oversized looks or men's clothing. No, its the elaborate mix of colors, textures, and patterns with big-ass jewelry that I'm talking about. How will you mix it up for fall? Click the pictures for larger views.

Scott Crolla's store in London was a magnet for trendy rockers in the 80's. He and his design partner Georgina Godley are credited with starting the explosion of tapestries, brocades and damasks found in fashion of the time. Crolla, on Dover Street in London, was open from 1981 to 1991.

All from Crolla: a men's oversized smoking jacket is worn over a women's handwoven shirt, beaded cummerbund and skinny tapestry pants. Cross necklace by Blythe & Blythe. Short necklace by Jay Feinberg. Bow bracelet by Dina Tevas.

Design team Culture Shock's oversized women's raw silk pants suit worn with an oversized men's cotton shirt and an iridescent silk reversible trench coat lined in African batik cotton. Sunglasses by Laura Biagiotti. Pins, earrings, and waist chain by Blythe & Blythe. Shoes by Manolo Blahnik.

London designer Betty Jackson got her start in 1981. Her clothes today are still inspired by the visual arts.

All from Betty Jackson: A plaid suit with a roomy jacket and paper bag waisted pants held up with suspenders with a bright blouse. Worn over it, a huge coat in a contrasting wool plaid. A colorful shawl drapes out of the coat pocket and a black hat tops off the outfit. Pin at the collar by Gaetano Fazio. Shoes also by Betty Jackson.

Timney and Fowler was founded in 1979. They are a design team who specialize in fabrics and wallpapers for home decor. Here, three pieces from a brief foray into men's clothing all worn as womenswear. A cotton shirt, silk vest, silk scarf, and silk pants all in fingerpaint stripes. The clothing was sold at Charivari in New York. Hat by Jay Lord Hatters. Earrings and pin at neck by Monty Don. Belt by Barry Kieselstein-Cord. Necklace by Robert Lee Morris.

From Jean Muir, who got her start in the 1960's: A striped crew-neck pullover with striped wool trousers and black hat. Pin at neck and cross pendant by Monty Don. Echo scarf.

Patterned Stockings - 1984

Designers brought us all kinds of patterned hosiery on the runways for Fall 2009. From textured tights with ribbing and stripes to lace and fishnets to florals and polka dots, it seems solid color stockings and tights are outré this season. But my dears, once more, what's old is new again. May I present patterned hosiery from Fall 1984.

Bold lacy stockings by Le Bourget are set off by Yves St. Laurent bright pink satin shoes.

Norma Kamali offered black pantyhose patterned with silver teardrops. Worn with Charles Jourdan shoes.

Undulating stripes on sheer black pantyhose by Stilnovo for Flash Legs. Add extra flash with shoes in wine satin with feathers by Andrea Pfister.

Glittery black pantyhose by Stilnovo for Flash Legs. The shoes? Three colors of satin with a bow by Walter Steiger.

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Big Shoulders - 1984

First, thank you all for your kind comments about last week's series on moving like a lady. The response was overwhelming, with many requests for more. I am actively searching for more information like this for you, and promise to bring it to you in the future.

Moving on, I finally broke down and purchased some vintage magazines from the 1980's. This decade has been influencing current fashion for the past couple of seasons, and it is time to admit that clothing from the 80's is now considered vintage.

Several designers showed exaggerated shoulder lines for Fall 2009. Above, two looks from Louis Vuitton. You think those shoulders are new? Take a look at how we did it in the spring of 1984.

Complice

Emanuel Ungaro Parallele

Norma Kamali

Donna Karan & Louis Dell'Olio for Anne Klein