1970’s Sundresses
The 1970s engendered a fashion revolt. Feminist fashion let women to choose how they felt like dressing each time, even if it varied occasionally. Tiny skirts, maxi dresses, midi skirts, short-shorts, women’s pants, and sundresses reflected the designers that were fishing for insight. The prints for these sundresses combined colorful and Pollynesian designs, ever influencing the would-be apparel designer. Dressy occasions liberated for flared or straight sundresses which fused sequined cloth or unusual prints. These dresses copied from high existing necklines bordered by lace trim to short and mini dresses which were cut at the knee or above. Sundresses from the 1970s included a yoked neck, or dresses with a squared neckline bodice. In either instance, these dresses increased the yen to get a tan. The halter neck sundress was the biggest success of the Seventies in terms of party clothing and day time clothes. The cuts were maxi or above one’s knee making it a smash at the discoteques.
Travel was made easier during the Seventies that changed the culture of counter-culture hippie wear that contained adornments and values from each international crossroads. Closed-in climate-controlled vehicles and central heating and air conditions systems demanded dresses that were lighter and accommodating to the high temperature. While liberating women with exposure, sundresses were excellent for driving and women no longer were required to put on a full height coat. England adopted central heating in every home and market, making it simple for women to put on cooler and more revealing dresses conscious that they would only face cold for the duration spent between their vehicle and buildings. Sundresses were complemented with lighter wool velour jackets, dyed raincoats, pile jackets, and quilted duvet coats.
Other parts of the world held sway on Seventies sundresses with colorful cloths and prints. Nehru jackets were worn with dresses, while Yves St. Laurent painstakingly removed values from djellabas of Northern Africa, jalabiyas, caftans, kaftans, muumuus, and kimonos to engender leisure dresses and home cut gowns. The ethnic themes of the Seventies sundresses did not end here. Crochet waistcoats, shawls, ponchos, bikinis, and frilled petticoat hemlines underneath sundresses became really legendary. Round pleated skirts were combined with patchwork patterns with accessories to produce a girlish clothing line. Indian designers produced dresses woven of cotton voile and overlayed in gold. These colors expressed themattically the neutral plaid of the original sundresses and incorporated bright pinks, blues, and sea greens.
Ethnic themes were extended with Afghan fur trim as well as cheesecloth fabric during the 1970s. Chiffons were joined with cotton voiles while Broderie Anglaise designed a virtuous fashion style and cheesecloths were shaped and flared away from the hips, a higher flare than the first sundresses which started beneath the waist. Adjusting the sundress’ vibe were high-heeled shoes. These shoes peaked with 4 inches of additional height with a sole one inch thick. Beige colored sundresses were the rage when worn with black platform shoes. Mixing and matching knitwear accessorized the sundresses of the Seventies. Making them acceptable anytime clothing in the fall and chilly spring mornings, matching knitted and jersey materials were made in zig zag patterns and bright hues, accenting an everyday sundress or complementing a patterned dress. When colder seasons came, acrylic scarves, wool scarves, knitted chenille hats, and matching gloves were mixed with knitted sweaters over dresses.
Ariel Honomua is an ardent quilter and lifelong Hawaii resident. She lives with her two dogs and husband on the island of Maui where she continues to write and sew. Find her latest sundresses at http://www.sundresses.net
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