70's Chic or 80's Glam? What to Wear this Spring
Leslie A. Nelson

Both looks are definitely in and most definitely retro. For those of you old enough to remember 70's fashion, it wasn't all platform shoes and bell-bottom pants (at least that's what we used to call them). 

Of course, I wore both and a zillion other repulsive, anti-fashion fashions that have recently been recycled for a later generation. What else could a teen-age girl do?

What I did - unbeknownst to me at the time - was admire the women in my family. True fashionistas, long before the term became popular. My mother was an actress (professional, but not even almost-famous), glamour queen and a serious bargain-hunter. Her outfits were definitely older woman - nothing I would ever wear! But her look was always classy and stylish.

Another family fashion-idol - a not much older cousin (she'd kill me if I told the truth) was a fashion model back in those days. She regularly sported tailored suits, snakeskin boots, gold chain necklaces. And those signature handbags - you know, the ones with designer logos plastered all over them. It was Vuitton or die!

The 70's chic gave way to the ultimate glam of the 80's. During the Reagan era of yuppie-ism and pretentiousness, status-symbols and wannabes, fashion statements were downright bold. Dressy suits with power shoulders, chunky earrings and opulent necklaces. Even television influenced the look, with the lifestyles of the rich and fictional shown weekly on Dallas and Dynasty. 

And now, fashions from both decades are making a comeback. This winter we saw luxurious velvet dresses, snakeskin shoes, tailored tweed jackets and fur tie-on collars. For spring, look for chic man-tailored pantsuits (oh so 70's), feminine lace blouses paired with man-tailored slacks, chiffon dresses and low-slung hipster jeans (we used to call them hip-huggers). 

Simple, classy black-and-white outfits are predicted to put a damper on that rainbow of colors we wore in the 90's. But also, look out for black and camel shoes and handbags. And those classic designer-logo bags are back.

Rugby shirts (no, colors aren't completely gone) recall Ralph Lauren 80's preppy-style. Also from that era, the rodeo look is on its way back - that is, if 80's pop princess, and now 21st century urban cowgirl, Madonna has any influence (I'd bet on it). 

And don't forget the accessories. Like the aforementioned black and camel bags, stiletto heels and big Jackie O sunglasses. Feminine drop earrings and sexy gold hoops will be all the rage. Multi-strand necklaces - whether gold, gemstones or pearls - were shown on the Spring 2001 fashion runways. 

Speaking of pearls, they'll be big this spring. Not big in size though - a la Barbara Bush. Classic fresh-water pearls and delicate keshi (seed) pearls will be the look. Plus, pearls in a variety of colors - black, gray, yellow and pink.

I think I'll raid mom's closet ... and her jewelry box, too!

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