I read where one of the biggest costume fads of Halloween '09 was to dress from the 1970s.
Having actually lived through the '70s (I graduated high school in 1976) -- I gotta tell you, people, I cringed.
I remember at my 10th high school reunion looking around the room and thinking I didn't go to school with any of these people -- they were all (mostly) well-dressed and looked great. Then I spied the photo wall. Oh yeah...the boys had kinky or stringy hair past their shoulders or over the top Afros with picks in their hair, girls in middies or maxis, other fashions over the top: Elephant bell pants, garish plaids or checks, paisley, poly-rayon shirts with long pointed collars, ties so wide they could double as place mats, double-breasted suits...garish, awful...shudder...the only thing I don't mind seeing again are wedged shoes.
This was the disco-era, people. Saturday Night Fever. The Bee-Gees. ABBA. We wore pants suits (guilty!) and danced in formation under disco balls in black-lighted rooms. I tell you, no class. Though, one of my more mature boyfriends (he was a Senior and I a Sophomore) was a sharp dresser. As awful as it sounds, he looked (super) fly in a silver lame jacket with black satin shoes with two inch stacked-heels, and black satin shirt and pants to the Prom. Bet he wishes he had kept that outfit.
I envied the boomers before us. The ones who grew up in the hippy era of the '60s. Who danced to full on rock bands*, maybe went to Woodstock, saw Jimi and Janice in person. ** The youth movement was in full force, seeming vibrant and with-it, mostly due to the fact there were just too damn many of them to ignore...
We were at the tail end of that era. In some ways after the drama of the '60s, the '70s seemed downright tame in some respects. But we did usher in a new irony to the world view, women's and equal rights were on more solid footing, we witnessed Watergate and the power of the people, Nixon's resignation (finally), the end of the Vietnam war...and some of the most fabulous TV and movies ever...So it wasn't all bad, I guess...
* "classic" rock -- my favorite...
**Excy was a teen in NY looking for something to do when visiting his Uncle and Aunt when he walked into a little dive called the Cafe Waa and listened to an un-yet known Jimi Hendrix.....even to a cowboy from Prescott, AZ, he recognized talent when he heard it.
If you enjoyed this, you might like to read 'Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow."
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18 comments:
Oi, I remember those days as well. Yikes, what were thinking?
Thanks for the comment on my blog. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment.
Your "mature" boyfriend wore WHAT!!! Lame jacket?!?! 2 inch stacked heels!?!?! Fot the love!! That just sounds terrible!!! Wow. And I thought the 80's and 90's were something to cringe about....
Sorry if that's harsh...
Wait a minute, I rocked elephant legged pants.
But my then future husband purchased a leisure suit that even back then in my disco glory I told him it would have to go.
heels on a guy! love it!
ABBA, Mama Mia, Dancing Queen, Money Money Money!
'That One' -- You had to have been there -- seriously -- it worked. He was a bit like Antonio Bandaras with more attitude.......ha.....
Love it! Remember dancing the hustle to my BeeGee's albums. Thinking John Travolta was super hot. Trying to do that russian dance thing...never could. Love the 70's. 60's was too gritty for my personality. Thanks for coming by today. You are so in our Movie Club! Next time you come by...look at our sidebar for more info. Holly at lifelaughlatte.blogspot.com
I graduated high school in '67 and was in San Francisco in its hippie heydey. I worked in the music biz and hung out with all the rockers at the Fillmore. It was the greatest time in my life until I started riding horses at the ripe old age of 38. Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I love that you rescue Mustangs. I live close to the wild horse rescue in Lompoc, California. I'm following your blog now and look forward to many more contacts with you.
My brother graduated the same year as you. He had a cream suit (similar to JT's in SNF) with a satin shirt which had wide lapels. Of course, he wore it unbuttoned half-way down his chest. He wore stacked heels, too.
I was born in '73, but I definitely remember the clothes, and the hair. My mom is still a hippie with butt length hair. I remember a lot of velvet. My aunt and uncle were huge potsmokers back then, and they had big velvet throw pillows and beanbag chairs, and beaded curtains. My dad even wore velveteen bellbottoms. Gag.
Hey lovely lady,
Thanks for the throw back memories, I grew up in the 70's. So many of the fashions I remember but couldn't participate in mostly due to the fact that my mom chose my clothes until I entered Jr. High.
However in LA the occasional 70's party pops up where I can get buck wild with bell bottoms, a giant afro wig and a psychedelic sweater and tank.
Regarding my post today, it was not intended to make you feel guilt [I know] but thank you for the lovely compliment and I will stop by your blog tomorrow as requested - thank you in advance for the honor.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I love new bloggy friends and it is always fun to visit new places so I enjoyed coming here. Gosh , you are a writer. I have noticed many bloggers are writers.
Not me, I am just a woman approaching that #3rd act of her life and wondering what in the hell I am doing.
I was married in the 70's so oh yeah baby, I remember all of those fashions. When I find fashions and styles trying to revert back to that era ....I just say, no thank you. didn't like it much then and don't like it much now.
But I love my 70's music and still listen to it.
come again
and I'll be back for a visit, (that's not a threat so you won't need a restraining order)
p.s and we love horses. the fact that you have a mustang sanctuary is amazing. My husband would start salivating over that for sure. I am going to be taking riding lessons soon.
I keep wondering if the horrible styles I saw in high school will come back, and my kids will wish I kept my outfits....hope not!
Oh, and Prescott? I have family there- how random!
I remember I was one of the last to hold out of getting bell bottoms but when it did, I got a pair of green and white striped ones! I did like the hip-huggers though.
Wow, silver lame and heels! Rock it! I am a child of the 80's and am really struggling with the current 80's fashion resurgence. We looked stupid then, what makes anyone think we're going to look awesome now???
What, you didn't like the powder blue tux look? The only thing I can say in defense of the 70's is that the 80's weren't any better.
Being a little older than you, graduated '73, I remember the fashions you speak of although I was caught more in the late 60's early 70's which was cool, even today. The music of which you speak, BeeGees, ABBA, sucked! 'cuse me.
But you're husband is from Prescott (Press-Kit)?! One of my favorite places on earth....nearly moved there a few years ago but decided we might need JOBS.
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