2015 Fashion Week: 10 Reasons I Love Vintage 1970's Polyester Fashion
In case you missed fashion week in NYC this year, I can tell you, having received it from reliable sources that the 1970's is having a major influence on new fashion coming out in 2015. The surprise is, there is no surprise! 1970's fashion ROCKS. But there's an annoying and oft repeated prejudice that seems to get spread from blog post to blog post that's been written about vintage 1970's fashion as of late. It is this. 1970's fashion is super cool EXCEPT the pieces made out of polyester. The much maligned 70's polyester has an advocate in me. I am here to set the record straight.
Here's why I love 1970's polyester and why you should, too.
1.) The colors are fantastic, bright and optimistic. You'll often see it used in color block and mod patterns and styles.
2.) The textures are amazing. Sometimes, almost 3 dimensional. I love the spongy type. MY GOD it's so cool, it can almost stand on it's own. And I guarantee it will conceal a whole lot more than it reveals. Which can be a very good thing for those of us with the odd bump and bulge.
3.) It's colorfast. Well, most of it is, anyway. You'll understand how wonderful that is once you've hand washed you favorite vintage garment and seen the color bleed away in the wash water, or paid your last dry cleaning bill.
4.) It's super easy to clean. You can either hand wash it or gentle cycle it in warm or cold water in the washing machine and air dry it. Beware the high setting on dryers and always take it out quickly, as it dries super fast. Which brings me to number 5.
6.) It hardly wrinkles while wearing or storing. And a low iron or steamy shower solves the problem. And that, together with #4 and #5 make it just about perfect for travel.
7.) It's a chameleon. It comes in thick, almost stand alone fabrics like some of the spongy waffly Dacron Polyesters and then in some of the softest, slipperiest drapiest Quianas. And it's blended with cotton, wool and everything else in between.
8.) It's really tough and it lasts (looking really good) forever. You may get the occasional snag, but you can pull it through to the other side. It resists stains. It cleans easily. You'll be handing these down to you grandchildren.
9.) It's super cool groovy and mod. Just look at the advertisements of the time.
10.) It's still inexpensive to buy. That's because the secret hasn't gotten out yet. But it will believe me it will.
....and further, I'd like to debunk some of the negative press about 1970's Polyester. Here goes:
Debunking 3 1970's Polyester Myths
1.) It's hot.
Yes, I know, and you'll look hot in it. Oh, you mean it creates a warmer body temperature. So does wool, and down feather. No big deal. Save it for colder weather and climates. If you happen to be hot blooded, perhaps it won't be your favorite fabric, so if you'd love a piece, choose something lighter weight (like a Polyester jersey) preferably with short sleeves and wear it in winter. The rest of us will cherish the warmth it can provide, especially during the chilly winter months when rising oil prices necessitate turning down the thermostat.
2.) It's itchy.
While it's true that some Polyesters are textured to such a degree that to the more sensitive of skin there is an itch factor, it's just as true that other Polyesters from the same decade are deliciously soft and drapey, as in the Polyester jerseys. Quiana jumps to mind here. A weighty and slippery soft, sensual fabric that drapes lusciously. If you are in love with (like I am) that spongy, highly textured Polyester that is so very fun, I suggest you do what all of us did during the 1970's. Wear it with vintage lingerie. Camisoles. Pettipants. Full slips and half slips. Problem solved.
3.) It's tacky or ugly.
Be brave. Set the trend. Take a 2nd look with an open mind and strike out the recent blog post you just read by the Polyester Hater who has never worn it and is just recycling another writer's musings, recycled from another writer's musing, etc. Think for yourself.
70's Polyester is at times fun, funky, colorful and elegant. Sound like anyone you know?
XO,
Kathy
Luckiest Duck 1 (Where you can always finds lots of vintage lingerie love!)
Here's why I love 1970's polyester and why you should, too.
1.) The colors are fantastic, bright and optimistic. You'll often see it used in color block and mod patterns and styles.
2.) The textures are amazing. Sometimes, almost 3 dimensional. I love the spongy type. MY GOD it's so cool, it can almost stand on it's own. And I guarantee it will conceal a whole lot more than it reveals. Which can be a very good thing for those of us with the odd bump and bulge.
3.) It's colorfast. Well, most of it is, anyway. You'll understand how wonderful that is once you've hand washed you favorite vintage garment and seen the color bleed away in the wash water, or paid your last dry cleaning bill.
5.) It dries super fast. In fact, over drying can be an issue. Short drying times together with low dryer temps and/or air drying is best.
6.) It hardly wrinkles while wearing or storing. And a low iron or steamy shower solves the problem. And that, together with #4 and #5 make it just about perfect for travel.
8.) It's really tough and it lasts (looking really good) forever. You may get the occasional snag, but you can pull it through to the other side. It resists stains. It cleans easily. You'll be handing these down to you grandchildren.
9.) It's super cool groovy and mod. Just look at the advertisements of the time.
10.) It's still inexpensive to buy. That's because the secret hasn't gotten out yet. But it will believe me it will.
....and further, I'd like to debunk some of the negative press about 1970's Polyester. Here goes:
Debunking 3 1970's Polyester Myths
1.) It's hot.
Yes, I know, and you'll look hot in it. Oh, you mean it creates a warmer body temperature. So does wool, and down feather. No big deal. Save it for colder weather and climates. If you happen to be hot blooded, perhaps it won't be your favorite fabric, so if you'd love a piece, choose something lighter weight (like a Polyester jersey) preferably with short sleeves and wear it in winter. The rest of us will cherish the warmth it can provide, especially during the chilly winter months when rising oil prices necessitate turning down the thermostat.
While it's true that some Polyesters are textured to such a degree that to the more sensitive of skin there is an itch factor, it's just as true that other Polyesters from the same decade are deliciously soft and drapey, as in the Polyester jerseys. Quiana jumps to mind here. A weighty and slippery soft, sensual fabric that drapes lusciously. If you are in love with (like I am) that spongy, highly textured Polyester that is so very fun, I suggest you do what all of us did during the 1970's. Wear it with vintage lingerie. Camisoles. Pettipants. Full slips and half slips. Problem solved.
Be brave. Set the trend. Take a 2nd look with an open mind and strike out the recent blog post you just read by the Polyester Hater who has never worn it and is just recycling another writer's musings, recycled from another writer's musing, etc. Think for yourself.
70's Polyester is at times fun, funky, colorful and elegant. Sound like anyone you know?
XO,
Kathy
Luckiest Duck 1 (Where you can always finds lots of vintage lingerie love!)
I LOVED this post, Kathy! What a fabulous time travel review of some incredible polyester pieces. They are so much fun, and the graphics can be stunning. Remember that Steve Martin line from SNL -- "How many polyesters died to make that coat?"
ReplyDeleteI kept some of my cool pieces from the 70's with fun graphics. One of them is a Peter Max looking polyester over-shirt, with great bat sleeves. I may have to list it one of these days. Thanks so much for including our vintage Vanity Fair camisole--we appreciate it!
Awwww geee thanks....sheesh! I think quite a few must have died for this post, Val! I sure would love to see that over shirt even if you never list it. It must be something special. You are so welcome...xo
DeleteKathy, This is a great post. Thank you for using my item in it.
ReplyDeleteThank you and you are most welcome, Gracie! Here's to hoping it brings more people to enjoy this versatile fabric. XO Kathy
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