Rudi Gernreich Swimsuit, 1968

Not all of Rudi Gernreich's swimsuits were topless.  This one from the summer of 1968 is black wool knit with clear vinyl at the hips.  The neckline is high in the front, but low in the back.  Sold for $40 in 1968 (about $268 in today's dollar, but likely worth a whole heckuva lot more as a collectible or museum piece.....if you can find one.)

Snowing.......Again

I woke up this morning to yet more snow.  Mother Nature has dumped another 6-8 inches of heavy, wet stuff on us overnight and it will continue to fall all day.  I can't help but long for warm breezes and sunshine.  Today, I want to be her.

Marissa Berenson wears a silk bare backed harem top with billowing palazzo pants by Savita.  Photo taken in Sardinia by Henry Clarke for British Vogue, 1968.

Michel Goma for Patou, 1968

I blogged about Michel Goma a couple of weeks ago, and since then I keep running into images of his incredible clothes.  This purple silk dress with huge flared sleeves is by Goma for Jean Patou in 1968.  Those sleeves are fitted to the elbow and then flare out into a huge bell.  Necklace is also by Patou.  Love.

James Galanos Dress - 1965

The work of Galanos is as close to true haute couture as you can get in a ready-to-wear garment. Each piece is hand finished with the finest of details and intricate construction.  This evening gown and matching coat ensemble from 1965 is made from sheer tiger stripe silk chiffon.  The coat closes at the back neck and waist (yes, the back!) with tiny cord ties.  Worn with great panache by model Donyale Luna.

Baby Doll Looks of 1968

In the late 1960s, the baby doll look was hugely popular in fashion. Inspired by dresses worn by little girls, designers showed short hemlines, high waists, lots of lace, Peter Pan collars, and puffed sleeves. Words like innocent, girly, and childlike were used to describe these fashions. All the looks shown here are from 1968.

Above, actress Katharine Ross models a pale blue eyelet and dotted Swiss dress by Gregory that came with matching bloomers. These dresses were often so short, women wore bloomers underneath to avoid showing off too much! Set sold for $58 in 1968 (about $366 in today's dollar).



A tiny textured cotton dress by Dorothy Cox for Tanner is worn with knee socks and Mary Jane shoes. Sold for $60 in 1968 (about $379 in today's dollar). Sunglasses by Tropic-Cal.

Lace was used in abundance, as seen here in this dress by Carlye. Sold for $90 in 1968 (about $568 in today's dollar).

Katharine Ross again, wearing a stripe dirndl jumer over a white pique blouse/romper with bloomers. By Gregory. Set sold for $58 in 1968 (about $278 in today's dollar).

Hair was worn pulled back with ringlets around the face. Make-up was young looking with pale colors and doe-eyes.

Mary Jane and T-strap shoes, another little girl style, were hugely popular as were lacy and pale stockings and knee socks.

Even high end designers like Anne Fogarty were influenced by the baby doll look. Here, her take made with rows and rows of lace in short or long lengths. Both dresses were available in black, white, or champagne and came with a nude colored slip. Sold for $110 for the short length and $140 for the long in 1968 (about $694 and $884 in today's dollar).

Add Some Color to Your Summer

Jean Patou Boutique

Nothing says summer like a pop of colorful print. In 1968, simple lines in shift and tent dresses were what every gal wanted. Designers dressed those styles up with wild and colorful abstract and floral prints, the brighter the better.

Fellow blogger and fave fashion icon Sal at Already Pretty has banished black from her wardrobe for the entire summer. She has challenged herself to wear color and more color every day until August. Sal posts her daily outfit each evening, so you can watch her creativity in meeting her goal for the next 2 1/2 months. I'm looking forward to the results! For Sal, and anyone else who wants to join her challenge, may I suggest these fun dresses from 1968 for inspiration?

Pierre Cardin

Jacques Tiffeau

Lauren Hutton in Vera

McMullen

Photo 1 and 3 by Guegan, photo 4 from an ad for cotton, 1968 , photo 5 by Penn, photo 6 from an ad for McMullen and Tabu perfume, 1968. Photo of Sal via her blog Already Pretty.

Weekend Eye Candy - Givenchy 1968

Green feathered coat by Hubert de Givenchy, 1968.

If you're a fan of Couture Allure on Facebook, you saw this coat on Wednesday, when I did a retrospective of green garments through the years in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Not a Facebook fan yet? Come join the fun!

Oscar de la Renta - 1968

Today, I want to share one of my latest finds with you. On November 11, 1968, Mrs. J. F. Schoellkof ordered this Oscar de la Renta evening gown with matching opera coat from Bergdorf Goodman's Custom Salon.


Bergdorf Goodman would order sample garments from various designer and couture houses, and then have them custom made for their customers. They did the final fitting and tailoring in-house.

This stunning set by Oscar de la Renta is fashioned of metallic brocade in pink, brown, and cream with gold threads. The opera coat has a mink fur collar and cuffs.

The coat opens to reveal a matching dress.

The dress alone is a knock-out, but when you add the coat, that takes it into the stratosphere.

The coat has huge elaborate frog closures in metallic gold with rhinestones, pearls, and chains.

The dress is trimmed with gold braid, rhinestones, gold beads, and bell shaped metal rings.

This is, quite simply, one of the most amazing garments I've ever found in my years in this business. I wish I could have met Mrs. Schoellkof. She must have been quite a woman!

For more details, see the listing at Couture Allure.

Weekend Eye Candy - 1968 Sandal Dress

All one piece from shoulders to toes and made of wide bands of elasticized cotton and rayon. This dress by Bernardo of Shugor was available by custom order only. Tropic-Cal sunglasses. So, how do you put it on??????