Category Archives: 1980s

Turbans and the Older Woman

Posted on January 27, 2018 by Lynn

Do you associate certain kinds of hats with certain age groups?  At the beginning of the twenty century, the bonnet tied under the chin was linked to older women.  For me, it is the turban that I associate with this … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990 | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

The Eight Hour Blazer, 1980

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Lynn

In 1980, McCall’s Patterns introduced a “working wardrobe” designed by Pati Palmer and Susan Pletsch.  It included a blouse with collar variations (M7233), a skirt and pant pattern (M7234), and a blazer (M7263).  The fall 1980 McCall’s pattern magazine claimed: … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980s | Tagged | 5 Comments

Judy’s—A California Store for Young (and a few Older) Women

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Lynn

Inspired by Jen Orsini of the blog Pintucks, I checked out the memoir of Marcia Israel-Curly (1920-2004), founder of a chain of California fashion stores called Judy’s. Her book, Defying the Odds: Sharing the Lessons I learned as a Pioneer … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, General | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Cheerful Grannies Dance

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Lynn

The image of the cheerful granny, used in the past to sell big ticket items like refrigerators, was completely transformed in this 1991 advertisement for exercise routines.  In this case, Beverly Gemigniani, founder of the group, was selling something that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980s, 1990 | Tagged | 3 Comments

Maggie Kuhn–Fierce

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Lynn

When Maggie Kuhn (1905-1995) was forced to retire once she turned sixty-five, her coworkers gave her a sewing machine.  They had seriously misjudged her retirement plans.  Kuhn had worked as an organizer all her life, first developing programs for working … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, 1980s, 1990 | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Teddi Winograd and Teddi of California

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Lynn

Just when I think that I have a basic knowledge of California sportswear, I discover something new. The brand Teddi of California, started in 1962, was featured in the June 1966 issue of California Stylist.  It was already doing big … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s, 1970s, 1980s | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Book Review: The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane von Furstenberg

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Lynn

Back in the days when I wore dresses, I didn’t find the wrap dress very practical. When I wore it, the style was given to constant wardrobe malfunctions both on the top and the bottom. Since Diane von Furstenberg’s career … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, 1980s, 1990, 2000s, 2010s | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Checkered Past, 1982

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Lynn

Native New Yorker Helen Levitt (1913-2009) made her reputation by capturing candid moments on the streets of her city. Today she is regarded as one of the forerunners of modern street photography. Take a look at the large collection of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980s, General | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Donna Karan in the Black

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Lynn

I’ve never bought anything by American designer Donna Karan—her clothes are far above my price range.  But after reading her new autobiography, My Journey, I think I might have been influenced by her approach to clothing. In the late eighties, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980s, 1990, 2000s, 2010s | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Koko Beall—A Life in Fashion Design

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Lynn

When I wrote about a favorite Vogue Pattern designer Koko Beall in 2014, I didn’t know whether or not she was still alive. Through the magic of the internet, her daughter Victoria Beall found my post. She sent the happy … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990, 2000s, 2010s | Tagged , | 10 Comments