Our Caroline O'Hanlon asked why there is nothing in my story 'Suits' about women's era clothing. So, I decided to write this follow up along with her input. Cj's CalBud, Jay
Wedding dresses are the one-time item of clothing for women, probably as the symbol of the WedLock-Lock. So difficult to please everyone and, most of all, yourself. 'Say yes to the dress' is a statement of relief as opposed to a celebration. My Combat boot dress drawing, with a bit of power cleavage showing, strongly suggests stomping on the theory that there is nothing uttered or displayed "To Love and Obey."
Major lifetime of dreams of modeling wedding sessions with Mom's and every 'friendly' advisor; during every formal dress changing presentation: "Wow, you look gorgeous in that (the group scrutinizes and bellows out) but what about this or that..!" An elaborate ceremony compared to men going to rent-a-tux to pick up a well-worn selection with nothing more than hopes it doesn't have Lice...!
Fashion dressing to the 'Nines' - Breakfast at Tiffany's, Audrey Hepburn, would go insane without wearing white gloves on a daily basis. Such~Charm - she even wore shiny bracelets and rings over the gloves to adorn them.
The Adam & Eve era with loincloths and chastity belts evolved to modest lingerie to keep the magic a mystery. Love-ins started in San Francisco, promoting the wear the flowers in the hair statement. And the more than natural curvy braless phase; with the perpetual 'Peace' sign hanging from their necks. Before padded starter-bras were on the market, young girls added Kleenex to show how Growing-GrownUp they were.
Currently ~ Less is more wear: Gen Z's tattoo even in 'special' places one might stand in line to become a poking ink-artist – Cartoons R/Us. Full color flowers adorn their necks and arms and often in unmentionable places that used to be covered by clothing mimicking that of the flower child generation. Perhaps the days of wash-away Face & Body painting morphed into permanent yet personal expressions of Tat's & Piercings followed by lip injections and sexy bulbous butt implants: The allure of crop-tops matched with yoga pants accentuates this public~presentation – Skinny-Jean Me...!
Ushered in a century ago we were roaring into the 'Flapper' era craze when women were overly exposed with bobbles strung from their necks, as they did the crazy-leg kicking Charleston dance, wearing floppy fringed short skirts, Steppin'-High! In many of my favorite Laurel & Hardy episodes, women wore fox stoles around their necks and were proudly wrapped in glamorous mink coats, even on hot days, now non-existent since animal environmentalists threw raw eggs at the wearers.
Entering into the "Blowing in the Wind" 1960's many changes were influenced by Sonny & Cher's whimsical pant suits and bell bottoms. Go-Go Boots were all the rage and Disco performers 'Cage-Danced' absorbing and ignoring the ankle damage they caused. And, not to forget, the 1st time wearers of the minimal-mini-skirts that came with instructions as to how a lady sits {Legs~Crossed} and bends carefully not to expose the Tuckus~Tushy in a crude sorta way. For a little added modesty legs were often stretched over with psychedelic colored diamond-pattern tights: Deserving of a second look.
Dress for the catch. Cj mentioned that she polished herself up and met her husband on a British pub dance floor. As sung by Paul Simon, "Fifty Ways to Catch/or Leave a Lover." They're still dancing while in her stiletto heels, after over 30 years, so worth the bunions. That's dedication to foot wear (and tear) right there.
But, that said, her worst item of clothing ever owned was a body-contour top. 'It was akin to wearing a futuristic iron maiden-like chastity belt with press-studs where rivets once were, crotch area to be explicit, I'd rather have a bit of a muffin top. Looking like cake is better than feeling like an instrument of medieval torture. While current popular belly restraints are called Spanks.'
Glitter~Love: Mom would always say to her four kids. "Sure you can have that once I get my (4) Carat Ring." Dad surprised her with one when we were out of the nest!
What are your Juicy Era~Ideas? Thread through yours.
Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California
'Senior Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -
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~Suits~
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Comments (26)
Oh wow! That was a 'memory lane fashion trip', Jay. I remember the era of Chinese slippers, jelly shoes, and painter's pants, none of which were particularly alluring. I look back then as I look now and think to never be dictated a fashion statement or trend, but make my own. This is a story in itself that I'd intended to write sooner (thanks for the nudge, my friend.) Still pending...
You make a great point about how fashion has evolved, especially with Gen Z and tattoo culture. There’s something both liberating and transformative about the way we express ourselves through clothing and body art.
Another delightful read Jay! Those psychedelic tights sound supercute! I love a pop of color in my wardrobe! ☺️ Instead of the raspberry beret that the pop singer Prince mentioned in his famous song, I just purchased a spicy-autumn-orange beret. I even have orange lipstick to match! ☺️It is a fun look for fall! Thx 4 sharing! This was a fun read! 💕
I got a kick out of this, Jay. I kind of do my own thing, not really one for all the latest trends, like when I was younger. I love the whole combat boots-and-wedding-dress bit. Congratulations on your top story and for making this week's leaderboard❣😊
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I really can't get into fashion, it's far too complex! But give it a decade and it becomes costume, and I love costume!
Love this Jay. A lot of fun to read. I was a weird kid... born in 1980, but grew up obsessed with 60s and 70s fashions thanks to TOTP2 and my mum and dad's record collections. I was a geeky little tomboy kid with big glasses who wore multicoloured tee shirts and elasticated bell bottoms with platform boots! I personally think the 'flapper girl' fashions were the best!
Oh those boots 😍 when can I wear them with that exact dress? 👗👚👝I do agree. Say yes to the dress is a statement of relief. I remember watching that series. Hoping that it doesn't have lice 🤣 👗👚👝This reminds me of a pair of shoe I once wore. I loved them. But the darn things could not fit. I forced my feet in them anyway, and ended up with you know what. I wear my actual size now, lol. I think I should add some Kleenex, I need an extra boost. 👗👚👝Threw raw eggs at the wearers, lol. Psychedelic colored diamond patterned tights, I love how I could imagine them by reading that line. 👗👚👝Aww, she finally got her (4) carat ring. That's lovely 😍 I recently bought a turtle neck jumper made our of rabbit fur. Getting prepared for the winter. I think I prefer turtle necks over scarves. 👗👚👝My jeans also got a bell bottom look to it. I had a blast reading this 🤗❤️🖤
Tried all them fashion things, pain and agony for fashion sometimes worth it, sometime not. Up to your usual unique twists I see. Congrats...hope all is well.
Fun as always, JBud! It's funny seeing clothes come back into fashion again that you thought would never reemerge. And hairstyles. The mullet seems to be popular again here which beggars belief but so it goes. I don't follow fashion. I'm more of a classic cut sort of girl - if it fits and it's comfy and compliments my curves, I'm good. And I like bright. Do you remember Doc Sherwood and his tights? Well, I have lots of those. I was wearing a very fetching red pair yesterday. Hope you're going well. BritBud.
Haha! J-amigo! Hilarious and brilliant, as per usual! "skinny-jean-me" lol! Can't get into the current barrel leg jean trend. I'm short, so I'm certain that I just look like a box in the slouchy pants. Maybe I haven't found the right pair yet. Never quite know what I *should* be wearing, so I try to pick classics that are never "in-vogue". I think a white or black teeshirt checks the box across every fashion swing. Loved the walk down memory lane. I've seen these particular trends in photos of my grandparents, and my parents. Thank you for a great read, full of your brilliant wit!
Congratulations on your top story, Jay. Fashion has always puzzled me, how women (particularly women) are brainwashed into the latest fashion. Even more puzzling is the rise in tattoos, as you point out: "Currently ~ Less is more wear: Gen Z's tattoo even in 'special' places one might stand in line to become a poking ink-artist – Cartoons R/Us. Full color flowers adorn their necks and arms and often in unmentionable places that used to be covered by clothing mimicking that of the flower child generation." Not just a subtle flower here, or a kiss there, but a full cover-up of limbs, torso and who knows what else. I just don't get it! Fashion!
I forgot congratulations on top story. Well deserved.
What I walk down memory lane - I loved it. Nicely done Jay.
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I read an article about some business man and his success in Viva. I asked why it was in Viva. He didn't respond. I think I understand what you're saying Jay --- using the Bridezillas and the wedding dress as some kind of example, but I really don't see how a man's success story belongs in Viva when Viva is for women and the "Mens" category is for men. Should I put a woman's success story in the "Mens" category? I mean, do bees go into wasps hives when they get bored or feel like it or do they know which hive they belong in?
Congratulations on another starred top story! Thank you, Jay, for the walk down memory lane. I remember one outfit I had in the late '60's that I thought was so cool: Bright pink low-rise bell-bottoms with a white belt, and a sleeveless pink and orange horizontal striped top that clung to my best assets. I even had 3" hoop earrings in pink and orange that complemented the clashing color scheme and went well with my Twiggy-style pixie haircut. Have a great November, friend. Kathryn
Maahhhvelous Dahhhlink!!!
Your work has that quiet impact.
Well-wrought, Jay! As a Gen-X Metalhead, I am the anti-fashion statement and never cared one way or another about how women dressed either.
Delightful blast from both past and present, JK. Makes me wonder what’s next! - JC
Wow, Jay—this is such a fun and vivid walk through women’s fashion history! Your voice is always so refreshing :)
All fashion came 10-20 years later to the Soviet Union but I remember those bell-bottom pants and large-pointy-collar blouses of the disco era that washed up in our shores. Mini skirts with high boots, too. This was such a fun piece, Jay!
Thank you for including me in this one! It was fun to remember. As I have been packing to move house, I have found lots of clothes and shoes from my youth. It's been fun to think about all the good times. Love these reflective stories of yours and I can imagine where you live you can see every sort of fashion on a daily basis. I think it is wonderful how many ways there are to display ourselves today. Freedom speaks in that. Though, that said, the tribal threads that unite us in groups fascinate me more. You always get me thinking Jay! Great story.
I enjoy reading this piece and going back revisiting fashion. Love your humor in your stories Jay!