I've been thinking about clothes a lot lately.... mainly because I've been looking for some additions to my wardrobe...with not much success. This then got me to thinking about the things that were in style years ago and have disappeared completely from fashion...and some that are enjoying a resurgence...or never really went away. It's funny how that works.
I've already blogged about stirrup pants...those cute slacks with the fabric strip that fit under your foot, guaranteeing a smooth leg line (and for tall girls, a low crotch!) I pray they don't come back!
Well, when was the last time you've thought of pettipants? And did you know they were still available? A friend (thanks, Deb) made me aware of their availability and although I won't be rushing out to buy a pair, it was fun thinking back.
Pettipants were popular among school girls in the 70's and for those who aren't familiar, pettipants were a nice alternative to wearing a slip..that undergarment that certainly was named right...mine was always "slip"ping up! Pettipants came in pretty colors (my favorite was a pair of aqua ones), were the same comfortable fabric as a slip, but kind of like bermuda shorts. They sure were great, worn under a school uniform skirt! Not sure if I'd wear 'em again, but they sure were terrific 40 years ago!
And while we're talking about "unmentionables", who can forget girdles and garter belts? Girdles, garter belts and nylons were what we sported for dressy occasions. Then along came pantyhose. Until the pantyhose industry caught up with "tall" sizes, I suffered with the aforementioned "low crotch" again and longed for the return of garter belts for the longest time. But let's leave the lingerie department now, shall we?
Turtleneck sweaters, dickies and "poor boys" (those cute, short sleeve sweaters that came with the "British Invasion") were must-haves in our high school wardrobes...and they've maintained their popularity thru the years. Dickies, not so much! A blessing, I'd say! Dickies were the top portion of a turtleneck. That was it! Just a fake half/sweater that used to ride up, much like my slip did. I never "got" dickies!
It's funny... Some of the things I wore, years ago, were because they were "in". Now, I must ask, what need was there for a high school junior to wear a girdle? These days, I NEED to wear one and don't want to. I used to wear turtlenecks because they were also "in" years ago. Now I wear them, because, as the late Nora Ephron, who wrote humorous books about aging, stated "The neck and hands don't lie.". Turtlenecks hide, well, "turtle necks", that crepey condition that comes with getting older.
I have a lot of great memories, tucked away, of fashion from my youth. And that's where they'll stay...tucked away. No need for pettipants, girdles, garter belts, nylons, or stirrup pants for me anymore! Nope, but I'm hanging onto the turtlenecks because... remember, "the neck don't lie."
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