Thursday, August 27, 2015

70's Summer Fashion Series - Recap

This past summer, I was offered an opportunity to write a three-part fashion series for the Greater Des Moines Young Professionals Connection (YPC).  For this fashion series, I focused on this season's emphasis on 70's trends.  With each installment, I featured a trend that was popular in the 1970’s and described how you can wear that trend for various occasions today.  For the first installment, I highlighted the bohemian trend that is already quite popular today. For the second installment, I opined on the influence of global and ethnic prints during the 1970’s.  Lastly, I discussed the iconic wrap dress and how it can be worn all-year long.  Below are excerpts from each installment.  To read the full blog posts on the YPC website, click on the links below.

Bohemian
As the ‘60s faded, the hippie culture from that decade continued into the early ‘70s. In modern usage, the word “bohemian” refers to someone who lives an unconventional, usually artistic life.  Today, the style term “boho chic” represents a fashion style that draws inspiration from bohemian and hippie cultures of the ‘60s and ‘70s.  Two easy ways to emulate the bohemian style today is to invest in a peasant blouse and a boho dress.  Peasant blouses are available at numerous retailers and are flattering for most body types. Boho dresses can come in a variety of prints, lengths and cuts that can work for all ages.  Below I’ve displayed two outfits transitioning a peasant blouse from work to weekend, as well transitioning a boho dress from work to weekend. Click here to read the full blog post.

Outfit #1: Shirt: Kohl's (Lauren Conrad Collection)// Pants: Express// Belt: MintL.A. Boutique// Shoes: Payless//      Jewelry: Gift
Outfit #2: Shirt: Kohl's // Jeans: BCBGeneration // Purse: Target // Shoes: Kohl's
Outfit #3: Dress: Target (Old) // Blazer: Kohl's (Lauren Conrad Collection)// Shoes: Payless// Belt: Old
Outfit #4: Dress: Target (Old)// Vest: Dillard's// Shoes: Payless

Global & Ethnic Prints
During the ‘70s, easier access to traveling abroad allowed cultures from other regions of the world to have influences on the fashion industry.  Afghan coats from Afghanistan became a staple for the hippie counterculture during the early ‘70s.  Fashion designers interpreted caftans from Morocco into casual women’s gowns for entertaining at home.  The paisley print, originally from Persian descent and imported from India, became mainstream in women’s and men’s fashion along with interior design patterns.  Global and ethnic influences came pouring in which inspired designers to create bold and colorful prints during the decade.  Colors and prints during the ‘70s are ranged from bold and saturated hues to subdued earthy tones.  For this installment, I’ve chosen four outfits displaying global-inspired prints and how to wear them for the workplace and the weekend or evening.  Click here to read the full blog post.

Outfit #1: Shirt: JCPenny// Pants: BCBG Max Azria// Shoes: Wet Seal (old)// Belt: TJMaxx (old)// Bracelet: World Market// Ring: Vintage (Grandma's)
Outfit #2: Shirt: JCPenny // Skirt: BCBG Max Azria // Shoes: Payless // Purse; TJMaxx (Nine West) // Bracelets: World Market & Craft Fairs // Earrings: Express// Necklace: DryGoods
Outfit #3: Pants: Target // Shirt: Express // Vest: Express // Bracelet: Express // Earrings: Old // Shoes: JCPenny
Outfit #4: Pants: Target // Shirt: Target // Jewelry: Old // Shoes: Target

The Wrap Dress
The wrap dress was introduced in 1974 by designer Diane Von Furstenberg. When explaining its instant appeal, she stated, “The wrap dress is the most traditional form of dressing: It’s like a robe, a kimono, a toga.  It doesn’t have buttons or zippers.  What made it different was that it was jersey; it made every woman look like a feline.  And that’s how it happened….”¹ The wrap dress was an unprecedented success – it was sexy, simple, packable, and looked good on women of all shapes and sizes.  The dress itself soon symbolized power and independence for an entire generation of women.² For this installment, I’ve chosen three outfits utilizing a wrap dress and displaying how to wear it for the workplace, for the weekend, and how you can transition it into the fall season. Click here to read the full blog post.


Outfit #1: Dress; JCPenny // Purse: JCPenny // Shoes: Kohl's // Bracelet: Gift // Earrings: Old
Outfit #2: Dress: JCPenny // Jacket: Abercrombie&Fitch (Old) // Shoes: Target // Rings: Old Navy
Outfit #3: Dress: JCPenny // Cardigan, Tights, Shoes: Target // Jewelry: Old Navy

Sources: ¹Reed, Paula (2012), Fifty Fashion Looks That Changed the 1970’s, Conran Octopus Ltd 

What trend is your favorite from the 1970’s?  How would you wear it today?

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