Back to 1983 and, 'Sign of the Times' by The Belle Stars
I'm always amazed by what works around here (including me - Arh,arh,arh). Thursday's post featuring 1986 Apple Computer apparel tripled visitation while almost 800 hits occurred in a single hour; 12-1 pm. That tells me these were new visitors since my regulars are MIA during lunch but peak when people should be working.
Concurrently, I've been asked to write about women's style and my vision of the cutting edge of Trad haute couture. To that end, it is with great joy, and expectations of a reserved seat next to Anna at the next Chanel show, that I present The Trad's, S/S Collection for Women. I call it, 'Sign of the Times - 1983.' (It'll feel just like a fashion show if you listen to the video while scrolling down.)
'Sign Of The Times - 1983' The Trad's S/S Collection For Women
Jean or Gene? Clare will tell you it's not gonna matter -- They're both gonna love you in this pre-washed Chambray. Who knew a gal could get a center vent?!
These Green Bay Tackers are at home in chic Kenosha or a Supper Club in Door County. So light they won't hear you coming. At least not until after the fish boil.
Sarah-Jane always gets a little ego boost whenever she wears this polypropylene jacket to the Four Season's Grill Room. It never fails to get frolicking owner Mr Niccolini running to her aid.
Cardigan and Chino. Who says boys have all the fun. Judy likes to show a little of that GS-15 'tude when she's blowing off steam from her gig at the GAO and getting crabs at The Quarter Deck.
"Heritage isn't just for fruit," says Joyce who likes practical polyester in her skirt as much as she likes synth in her bands. Follow her to The Zebra Lounge in these tasty Heritage shoes. They're hipper than Red Wings and'll make you taller too.
Stella can tell you a thing or two about her college library and how easy it is to undress the shirtdress. Her carrel will never be the same despite her choice of university stripe.
It's hard to find nice trim nowadays but Eugenie knows where to find it. Hermes and Chanel bags have nothing on heavy white duck -- that you can't monogram, Hermes or Chanel.
A penny for your loafer. He doesn't work, can't pay the rent...whoops! Wrong loafer, but your girl friends will be Chino Tan with envy when you cross your legs at the King Cole Bar in these awesome Kicks.
Miranda loves to drink Lapsang Souchong in her Oolong walking shorts. A nice selection of cake as well is always appreciated at high tea in the Drake Hotel but best avoid the Coq d'Or. Too much wood in there.
You don't have to save the Kiltie for the golf course. And you don't have to know if this is leather or something else. A little mystery never hurt anyone.
And here I thought you'd found me the perfect khakis. I never wore any of this, I confess. But that hair, oh yes, I had that hair.
ReplyDeleteLPC- Ah, yes. The perfect women's khaki. It's out there but it'll cost you. I love that hair. I mean it.
ReplyDeleteDo you have ANY idea just how "turned on" Muffy Aldrich is getting right NOW by YOU ??? If you can get that four season jacket made in just the right shade of green, she just might even outright leave her husband !!!
ReplyDeleteOyster Guy- I am not a female sheep.
ReplyDeleteYou've come a long way baby! These gals are missing the freckles...
ReplyDeleteI'd stray, but freckles make me stay.
That song just threw me back in time. Other times, maybe when freckled gals were high on my priority list.
cg- The freckles are there. You just have to look for them. Which is the best part.
ReplyDeleteI dunno, Tintin. Looking back at this catalog, that sucking sound I hear is a certain "sexiness" leaving the room. Then again, maybe that was the whole Zen of it: seduction masked as wholesomeness.
ReplyDelete-DB
DB- Doris Day turns me on like you wouldn't believe.
ReplyDeleteI "knew" these girls in north Florida at one time...
ReplyDeleteI think the '80s were more fun for you than they were for me.
ReplyDeleteJeff P. One time?
ReplyDeletelongwing- Maybe the '90s were more fun for you than they were for me.
With the exception of the one on the LL Bean tote bag page, all these women look like nuns on dress down friday. Thank god I was not "of age" during the 80's.
ReplyDeleterandall- If you were "of age" you might understand the post.
ReplyDeleteTrad: Sorry, sweat pea...
ReplyDeleteRandall: Here's the deal. These women could out drink us, out "bleep" us and and get better grades than us in the process. Real hard chargin' tigers. The best part was their money. Not for what it bought, gawd no, but for the sunny, uncomplicated confidence and freedom of choice it gave them. I doff my cap to 'em.
Skinny Skiing? Bullfights on acid?
ReplyDeleteIs that the idea?
Randall- We're all livin' in a pretty fucked up time. I'm of the age when I write about a time I was fond of. You sticking your dick in it doesn't really bother me. But you seem to be telling me your time is more important or has less gag potential than mine. Or the women are hotter. Is that the idea?
ReplyDeleteHell no. Those girls were my babysitters. I was just saying we had better models for our catalogs when we needed to "use" them.
ReplyDeleterandall- That was Maine in 1983. You have any idea what the situation with women in Maine was like in 1983?
ReplyDeleteMore power to any man who who used this 1983 LLBean catalogue to achieve any level of satisfaction. I'm just appalled. And i KNOW that even a Parade Magazine would have been a better choice all around.
ReplyDeleteHa!!! I relent. You win Trad, but only because Ann broke me with the Parade magazine comment. Where would Redbook rank in the spectrum?
ReplyDeleteI miss the days when L.L. Bean left the "sexiness" to the purchaser and didn't worry about attracting all the fashion trash it currently does.
ReplyDeleteMichael- What I always liked about Bean was the comfort of the clothing not to mention the heritage. It was clothing you lived in and it suited everybody.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard on for the lady in the plaid shirt and chino skirt
ReplyDelete