1970′s Fashion Is Stayin’ Alive For Another Season

and No Exorcist Is In Sight

But, all demons aside, closeted or otherwise, I am not quite sure I want to see 70′s inspired fashion exorcised from the my own closet just yet. Yes, my darlings, the decade that brought us bare-chested hairy men, and skin-tight-satin-metallic roller skating outfits is back, for better or for worse.

Though many tacky trends that we would not like to have repeated were born during this decade of free love and cynicism, there were quite a few styles that I will assert have timeless appeal.  Er, or at least if they’re not timeless, they are flattering.  And, as time marches on, (the cruel mistress that she is), I am finding myself looking high and low for eternally flattering pieces. Read: they cover my midriff and my thighs.

So, Welcome Back, Carter, because I am happy to see re-runs of these key pieces which have reinvented themselves for Spring 2011!

1.  The High-Waisted Jean

A new collection is on the scene, and, Mother Denim, is starting to make its social media rounds. This fresh brand was created by two designer denim veterans, Tim Kaeding, former Creative Director for 7 for All Mankind, and Lela Tillem, one-time President of Sales & Marketing at Citizens for Humanity.  What I like about Mother Denim is that though it’s far from being your ”Mother’s pair of jeans”, is still has the waist set closer to a girl’s natural waist. And, sorry Mom, but its time we all said ‘no’ to muffins once and for all, and these jeans do the trick.

2. Longer Skirts With Bold Colors & Funky Patterns

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011

I like these skirts because they glide gracefully over the hips and they can be worn with a belt to nip in the waist. And for that flattering look, why certainly, I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.

3. Wide Belts

Christian Siriano Spring 2011

Surely you can’t have the bold, graphic skirt without her BFF and forever sidekick the wide belt, which is worn perfectly at the natural waist.  These two go together like Chrissy and Janet, Tattoo and Mr. Roarke, and The Love Boat and the advent of mega cruise lines.

4. The Farrah Flip

I really liked the flipped ‘wing-y’ style that Farrah made famous in the 1970′s, but that was in the 70′s.  I like the update to this style that we see making its appearance in 2011. This model’s hair echos the original “Farrah-do” but fortunately the things that make it dated have been altered.  Instead of heavy chopping and feathering on the sides, we see more of a loose curl. And thank goodness this hair update is no longer heavily and chemically frosted within an inch of its life. Freshness is added by coloring the hair a rich chocolate brown and adding hints of burgundy and espresso for depth.  (Wow, just looking at it is making me hungry. Thankfully, this little treat is sans calories.)

5. The Head Scarf

Okay, I admit it.  I have always loved it and I will always love it. In the 1950′s, women folded them into triangles and demurely tied them around the back of their hair to protect their newly done and hair-sprayed into oblivion coiffes. But, the 70′s, that rebellious daughter of the 60′s that she was, said to h*** with hairspray and perfectly done coiffes and scarves tied around the back of the hair. Demure? Not so much. Wild and rebellious? Oh, yeah! I have to admit I am so happy that being able to wear a scarf tied around my forehead again is great if only because this is the cheaper way to disguise any newly-formed wrinkles.

6. The Jumpsuit

I am crazy about the jumpsuit and I am so happy to see it back on the runways.  But, truthfully, I never stopped wearing jumpsuits, even when they weren’t on the runway. Oh, jumpsuit, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways… well, the first thing about my dear old pal the jumpsuit is that for me it’s effortless dressing when I am in a hurry.  Just pull it on and no worrying about which shirt to coordinate with the pants. Add chunky earrings and platforms and, viola, you are ready to go.  The next thing I love about the jumpsuit is that visually it creates a vertical line, and because of this, appears to give the lucky girl that wears it perfectly mile-long legs. And lastly, it creates that wonderful 70′s “I just got off my private jet from Los Angeles” vibe. And you know, on a bad hair day, I can certainly use that carefree vibe to my advantage.

7. The Maxi Dress

We have seen the return of the maxi dress several seasons ago, but the1970′s maxi dress is a totally different animal altogether. It usually incorporates a halter top, and it can include a print reminiscent of batik, as seen in this Derek Lam maxi dress for Spring 2011. I love the maxi dress because you only have to have a reasonable waist line and arms to wear it. And, the maxi dress is very forgiving, so really ‘reasonable’ means about 99% of women can pull this off. My only caveat is that if you are under 5’6′, please wear this look with the highest pair of platforms that your sweet little feet can accommodate and still be able to actually walk. In fact, my own height falls just at 5’6′ and I still use this rule 100% of the time.  But the good news is, once you do get the platforms on with the maxi dress, this look with transform you into an Amazonian Uber-Goddess. (And I don’t think any gal can say possibly say no to this look when she has the chance to look like an Uber-Goddess).

8. Mile High Platforms With Natural-Made Materials

Hello!! Designer Charles Anastase knows exactly what I’m talkin’ ’bout. We see the return of eight inch platform made of wood, with the uppers of the shoes made of natural leathers, that can be dyed in all colors of the rainbow. Well, Ford Modeling Agency in NYC says they cannot accept any models under 5’8′? And let’s say you are 5’0′ on the mark and it has always been your dream to model. Well, you just march right in to Ford in these babies, you 5 foot tall Goddess you, and show Ford just who owns the runway! That would be you, girlfriend!

Those are my eight top trends for bringing back the 70′s in Spring 2011.  I hope you enjoyed this posting and I welcome your comments and feedback.

Peace,

Sarah Polyakov