Body Suits / Body Shirts / Whatever - Part 5

Ya'll know by now that I can't go too long between posts on body suits!  After all, they had the perfect 70s fashion combination of fashion oddness, fashion versatility, and of course fashion hotness!

Our regular readers may recall that in the previous post on body suits, I posted the black and white version of this pic (a reader's request).  That is when John of JJ's Playhouse e-mailed me and said "Hey, don't you remember that I sent you the color version some time ago?"  I admit I was a little embarrassed about the whole thing.  After all, how could I have forgotten about this pic with Kathy and Mick Lindberg?  (Thanks JJ's Playhouse for the pic, by the way)

Speaking of Mick Lindberg....

Whether Sears or Penneys, Mick seemed to be one of the go-to models for bodysuits.  And you can see why here, very cute!

One thing about body suits is that you just never knew where they would show up.  Here they are with some very nice thermal long johns.

Or here they are actually with swimwear!!  Very strange.  Why not wear a bodysuit to the beach?  Also here we start with the whole "body suit versus body shirt" confusion.  Make up your mind what they are already, won't ya!!

Great.  Now they have morphed into something called "Body Stockings"  When will this ever end?!?

Now we have the short sleeve and long sleeve version of "Body Shirts".   Kathy certainly makes the long sleeve version look very nice!

Karen Bruun and Dottie Harris show us some very upscale "Bodyshirts" here.  Note that the confusion extends to the spelling.  Is it Body Shirts or Bodyshirts?

I had to throw this  pic in just for the body suit that Kay Campbell is wearing which has that big bow-tie thing going on. Somehow, that doesn't seem to go with the idea of body suits, but that's just me (you probably wouldn't want to wear something like that to the beach, by the way.)

That's So 70s: Crazy Family Coordinates!

One of the more consistent themes about 70s fashion is coordinates - His 'n Her coordinates, skirts and pants coordinates, etc.  It seems that the 70s were obsessed by the idea of people dressing the same, like some kind of tribal affiliation.

Well, hold onto yer hats parders, 'cause you ain't seen nuthin' yet.....

Why stop at just couples dressing alike when you can dress up the whole dad bern tootin' clan the same! "It's Fun to Dress Alike"  No it's not.  It's...kinda...creepy actually, sorta like belonging to a cult or something. You'll notice that Dottie Harris appears perfectly comfortable but, as you go down in age, the girls seem increasingly less sure about all this.  The youngest looks like she is plotting an escape before the kool-aid is served.  Perhaps the brainwashing takes a few years to become fully effective "Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated!"

Oh dear, don't tell me that Kathy has also fallen under this mysterious spell!  This clan is going green in matching corduroy, no less!  The youngest one here, unlike the previous pic, seems to have no second thoughts with the assimilation process.  Hmmmm, perhaps SHE is actually the cult leader?

So surely these two examples are aberrations, Right?!?!?!

Nope.  "Hey, let's all dress up in matching overalls and play farmer.  Or we can all dress up in matching flower-power outfits and be suburban hippies."  The possibilities are endless.

Fashions of the 70s weren't nothing if not coordinated!  From Aldens all the way to Spiegel, no socio-economic strata was left untouched by the scourge as witnessed.  Here we have not one, but three mother / daughter examples.  All I can say is "That's Sooooo 70s!"

Naturally, why stop with the mom and the girls when you can include EVERYONE?  And kimonos are made for just that!  Now I have one question "Is it just me or does it seem that the 'blue' clan has thoroughly defeated and embarrassed the 'gold' clan by relegating them to the small inset pics?"

Of course, the 70s were a time when the concept of "family" was beginning to become more, ahem, elastic.....

This one is a bit random and hard to explain.  I think I'd better exit this post before things get any weirder....

(This last pic is re-blogged from somewhere.  I think it was My-Retrospace.  My apologies if I'm wrong.  I downloaded this pic several years ago and before I was too careful about that sort of thing.)

Programming Note:  I had to post early this week due to some family commitments.  For tehe next post I'll be back on the regular schedule.

Let It Rain!

Finally, we got some rain!  I mean it's been like TWO years since we we've had some significant rainfall where I'm at (we count anything over 1" as "significant", which is sad)!  And what better way to celebrate than looking back on some groovy 70s rain gear fashions!

Riders on the storm.....Ah, yes, why not start out with some smashing 70s wet weather gear featuring Kathy and another model in some long all weather coats!  Oh, wait, Kathy isn't wearing a coat, exactly.  Noooo, it's a long, oversized cape with holes in it so that you can stick out your arms (and it has the groovy 70s-style collar and plenty of buttons!).   So it was kinda like a high-fashion version of a poncho - with arm holes.  I bet THAT didn't look strange or anything!  Of course, these gals wouldn't quite be ready to be out-on-the-town without the knit hat and groovy go-go style boots (complete with racing stripes).  Just because it's sloppy outside is certainly no excuse to not be stylish!

Raindrops keep falling on my head...Not so fast there!  Those pesky raindrops won't bother Kay, Kathy and the gang here.  Why?  Well because they are sporting the best of 70s raingear. What? you say.  "How does one make raingear groovy in that special 70s way?"  Well, easy.  Throw on some happenin' scarfs - which match the umbrella - and some awesomely oversized handbags - which also match - and presto! You've got 70s grooviness that'll light up the world regardless of the gloomy skies!

You're Looking at VALUE, you betcha!  Once again, more scarfs.  I guess they are added protection in case the umbrella leaks or something.  The hats are also stylish for any rain storm - Kathy's hat smartly matching her raincoat!  And as a special 70s bonus, you gotta love the double collars on these "Simply Smashing" all weather short coats.

Okay, the next two pics go together.  They are the left and right halves of the same spread. First the left half..

Yes "Some Call them All-Weather Coats".  Well yes, I guess, what else would you call them?

Now the right half......

Oh, so JCPenney elects to call them "What to wear Anywhere, Anytime".  Actually "All Weather Coats" is a bit more succinct wouldn't you say?

Nevertheless, all these coats are simply smashing.  On the first pic, you gotta love the crushed blue velvet jacket (which looks a little big on Kathy?).  It kinda looks like a cross between something a ship's captain would wear and something you'd see in a Barry Manilow video.  Also, the model in the white coat keeps looking up.  Maybe checking the weather perhaps?

On the bottom pic, Karen is decked out in Native American garb (which I'm SURE is authentic.  After all, JCP wouldn't put out anything that wasn't authentic, would it?).  See, she even has pigtails to match! Of course the strawberry blonde hair doesn't look EXACTLY in character.

Colleen models "The Rain Dodgers".  No not the LA Dodgers.  Of course if these models had the groovy monogrammed umbrellas from the second pic, they wouldn't have to dodge the rain!

Here, Colleen looks ready for a stylish safari (no, not surfin' safari, a regular one) in "The Pac-Jac".  The side pack goes with the jacket and can be either attached to the jacket (hence the name) or removed and worn like a handbag.  Also, we are assured that both are treated with ZePel to resist water and oily stains - perfect for the on-the-go gal dashing from the subway terminal to her job in the busy city.  Well, perfect except that the concept never really caught on.

As a bonus, you may notice a teeney, tiny pic of Kathy (in a wig).  I didn't even see that until I uploaded the photo.

It's a "Rainclassic" for sure!  You'll stay dry from head to toe in that thing for sure!  I guess they are expecting some cool spring weather with that turtle neck!  I'm not sure that outfit would work in 100 deg + days we've been having this summer!

So I hope that wherever ya'll are, that you are not in a massive drought like us.  Remember to keep the groovy 70s raingear handy just in case!

'Twas the Night Before a Wishbook Christmas

'Twas the night before a Wishbook Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a windup toy mouse
The acrylic stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St Nick soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug n there bed
while visions of Wishbook toys danced in their heads
And Kathy in her Wincama fleece sleepthing from Sears without a cool knit cap
had just settled down for a long winter's nap

Kathy radiates a warm Christmas night glow in her super-soft sleepthing - just the outfit to settle down and have sweet dreams of Christmas!

When out on the roof there rose such a clatter
Kathy sprang from her bed to see what was the matter
Away to the window Kathy flew like a flash
tore open the shutter and threw up the sash

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to the objects below
when what to Kathy's wondering eyes should appear
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer

Kathy seems surprised to see Santa delivering the presents, but she is well rested in her Color-Happy Knit Sleepclothes!  They are the newest rage and sure to wake up Santa in her bright canary yellow!

Kay seems to be channeling Princess Leia in that bun style hairdo.  I bet that makes sleeping on your side difficult!

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
and filled all the stockings , then turned with a jerk
And laying his finger aside of his nose
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight

"Happy Wishbook Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Kathy is ready to lounge and have a cup of coffee while the family opens presents on Christmas morning in her "perma-prest" robe.  This pic is from 1970 and Kathy has a slightly darker hair color, which I think looks great on her.  The brunette on the left doesn't look very happy.  Perhaps Santa left her a lump of coal for wearing that crazy print robe!

Merry Christmas from this blog to all of our fans and their families.  The Christmas catalogs were a tradition in our house when I grew up.  It was one of those things that everyone in the US had in common.  Everyone watched the same TV shows on the same three channels.  Everyone watched the same movies at the same time in the movie theaters.  And kids from every social and economic background wore out their Wishbooks while eyeing all the same toys.

Christmas seems different to me now.  Maybe it is me or maybe it is that we have lost some of that sense of community that we had back then.  I admit that I miss the Christmases of that era with every store and street decked out in campy Christmas decorations.  For a child it seemed wonderful and comforting.  And I admit that I have nothing but fond memories of those seasons.

Once again, Merry Christmas!

Random Weirdness Part 1 - Giant Watches

This is the first post of what I hope will be a recurring theme from time to time: Random Weirdness.  These are photos from Kathy's modeling career that have some kind of bizarre and utterly random - as only 70s fashion can be bizarre and random - feature about them.  And what better way to start than with a very brief, but very intense fashion item from the early 70s called "Giant Watches".

What? you say. What do watches have to do with fashion?  Well these are not just any watches, oh no no no.  These are giant over sized pocket watches meant to be worn outside in full view - obviously to make some kind of statement.  What kind of statement, you ask?  I have no idea.  That's what makes these both random and weird and quite 70s.  Let's start with an example, shall we....

Yea, now you see what I'm talking about.  Kay's weirdly over sized watch (facing the viewer no less) lets us know it's always the right time for fun, funky fashion!  Perhaps, she wore it to draw attention away form how cute Kathy looks in her strawberry accented short shorts (didn't work!).   Perhaps Kathy's massive smile is from NOT having to wear the watch.  Also we are told "to join forces with coordinated pullovers".  Coordinated with what? the giant watch?  And I'm not sure I want to join forces with ANYTHING made of Acrilian Acrylic (whatever that is, sounds like a varnish or something).   Lest you think this pic was just one odd blip in Sears catalog history, let's move on.....

Two photos do make a trend, don't they!  Here Colleen's "panne velvet" shirtdress is perfectly set off with another goofy giant watch.  Huh?  What the heck?  Once again Kathy is kicking up her heels in joy at NOT being selected to wear the watch.  Oh surely there can't be more.  Oh yes there can!

Okay, okay, this pic doesn't have Kathy in it, but it fits the theme.  Here we have TWO giant watches in the same pic to accessorize the corduroy jeans!  One worn by Colleen and another by an unknown model.  And the one worn by Colleen is on a, a, a, what is that?   It isn't a necklace exactly - more like a chain worn by a pimp or something.  Double random and double weird.   I love the chorus girl style lineup of the models.  It is sooooooo natural, especially the middle model staring randomly off into space. 

And then as quickly as the era of the giant watches blossomed, it met its demise.  Perhaps like the dinosaurs, they grew too big and wieldly eventually succumbing to excess of the very thing that made them unique.  Or perhaps they just didn't sell so Sears quickly moved on to something else.
 
Of course this brings up the BIG, unanswered question: were they functioning watches or just decorative pieces?  I haven't been able to find a pic with a description of these watches so this is an open question.  Anyone out there have any ideas on this?

Ironically, this fashion accessory would make no sense to kids today because many of them can't even tell time using a dial watch or clock (you can thank cell phones and digital clocks for that).  So wearing a giant watch would make about as much sense to them as wearing an abacus.  I know, I know, makes you kind of pine for the silliness of the 70s.  Of course, MY kids can tell time using a dial timepiece.  They can also use a slide rule, write in cursive, and start a fire using flint (no kidding, except for the slide rule, but they have at least SEEN a slide rule and how it is used).

So perhaps we should all channel our inner 70s and don our giant, goofy, pocket watches to freak out the kids, or maybe not.  They just won't see how cool and groovy fashion statements like that can be!