1970's maxi dress Archives - Suzanne Carillo

1970s Maxi Dress

Another dress from the most recent estate sale I attended is this 1970s maxi dress which I styled in what I’m dubbing, “1970’s Boho Hipster Style”.

You heard it here first folks.

I wore this before the heat and humidity came to Toronto. Now I would be ditching the velvet duster, hat and boots for some sandals, a straw hat and a big squirt of #45 sunscreen.

It came with a matching bolero jacket with sheer black sleeves.

When I wear it with the jacket it looks very dressy. I think the jacket could be quite nice on its own with some high waisted palazzo pants or with my black jumpsuit.

1970s maxi dress how to wear vintage over 40 suzanne carillo — Maxi Dress – Vintage, Velvet Duster – Thrifted, Necklace – Handmade by Me, Boots – Old, Handbag – Anthropologie (0ld)

I know quite a few people are turned off by vintage because they say it looks too much like a costume. The trick to styling vintage pieces is that you need to style them in a way that compliments your own style statement and makes you comfortable. Vix , Judith and Melanie are a few of my heros for adapting vintage items to suit their own contemporary needs. They carry it off easily with conviction and confidence.

Personally, when I look at vintage pieces I am not drawn to one era, I’m drawn to an item of clothing that just so happens to be from a previous time. I’m not fussy about the age of the item, I’m fussy about the quality, cut, fit and colour of the item and whether or not it works with my own personal style sense and body.

If we all looked past the numerical age, whether it be people, clothing or household furnishings, and instead looked at how the person or item is still of value in the world our society would be less destructive, more inclusive and much more sustainable.

Old shouldn’t be a dirty word.

I am being whisked off to a mysterious secret getaway tomorrow. I’ll see you all on the other side of 50 later next week!

Linking up with Hat Attack

My 1970s Maxi Style

This was the second dress I nabbed at my most recent estate sale.

This dress, like the others I scored at this sale were all in perfect condition. There were only about ten dresses in total at the sale. I think it is interesting to note that the woman chose to keep one from the 1960’s, two from the 70’s and then the rest from the 80’s. The dresses from the 60’s and 70’s must have had some special meaning or sentimental value.

I love clothing with history.

Often when you put a vintage piece on it feels like you are stepping into someone else’s memories. It felt like that when I put on this dress, suddenly I had an overwhelming urge to pick up a tennis racquet but then gave my head a good shake and ordered a Tom Collins instead with “extra” Tom and no cherry s’il vous plaît. Yes, it was only ten in the morning but when you look this boss no one questions you. Besides, isn’t that the correct time for a Stepford Wife to start drinking? The addition of the headscarf made me feel like a serious contender as a Stepford Wife.

And just to be clear I am joking. I don’t start drinking at ten in the morning. I like to wait till after noon like any respectable woman.

Actually if you really must know I can no longer drink any alcohol thanks to my sinusitis. I hate you sinuses!

The dress is a titch big again on me, but nothing that the belt can’t handle.

The colour isn’t great in the photo above. When I take indoor photos trying to correct the lighting is always a challenge and often distorts or fades the colour.

Isn’t the design of this dress fab? It’s very simple but the pattern and unique detailing make it special. It is made in Canada by Charm Fashions in Toronto and the first and only time in my life that I am wearing a size 16. No, that is not a typo. Check it out…

There was no vanity sizing back then people.

The sizing was straight up meant to mess with your mind. I wonder what the person wearing a size four looked like back then.

Invisible?

And apparently Fortrel was an extra special type of polyester which will last for ten million years but please do not put it next to any source of flame.

A little tidbit I learned when I was training to be a flight attendant, do not wear rayon, nylon or polyester under any circumstances while travelling via air. In a cabin fire they will melt onto your body. And no hair spray either unless you want your whole head to spontaneously burst into flames.

A joke we had at the time was if there is a fire in the cabin don’t panic, just take a deep breath, bend over and kiss your ass goodbye. Nothing good happens when you have fire in a pressurized cabin. Am I freaking you out yet? ; )

Okay…slightly off topic now. Didn’t mean to scare you off of polyester, the magic fabric of the 1970’s and beyond.