Or should I say “moron predicting fashion cycles”?
Firstly, let me give a skeleton explanation of each of Suzie’s three cycles I wrote about the other day:
- A cycle marked by separates combined to make an hourglass or rectangle with waist silhouette. Colors are grayed, details are angular, and texture is in.
- A long, T-shaped silhouette takes over, accompanied by sophisticated colors such as black, ivory, and jewel tones. Collarless tops make room for bolder jewelry.
- Prints predominate as dresses take over and the silhouette becomes the 8 shape that most closely resembles a snowman. Big sleeves, big belts, and warm colors characterize this cycle.
Can you recognize any of these looks belonging to a year in history? I was very #2 in 1991.
*Skeleton* is right. No way can you wear ANY of these silhouettes if your waist is more that 20 inches. And only #1 if your bust is less than 40. Think about it…..
I disagree. Any of these shapes can be worn by the someone with a less than 40 inch bust. I’m sure you and I have both worn all of these shapes. Remember the lovely white dress you wore to your 25th anniversary party? It was silhouette #2. Admittedly #3 would be pretty near impossible to pull off without a waist.
I was hoping you would link some of the descriptions to years for us!
Actually, #3 can easily be worn without a waist because the volume of the clothing creates the waisted effect. Here’s what I mean: When I was younger I had a small waist but was small all over. An hourglass by measurement, though certainly could not be described as curvy. At one point I loved oversized clothing. I would cinch it in at the waist. At that time, I could do it with any weight of fabric. More recently (and more pounds), I loved those Max Mara ads where the model has a tightly cinched grey wool coat. If I tried this now, I’d look like a parcel. But I recently bought a fabulous black sueded cloth coat with a fullish skirt and open vee neck and pleated shawl collar. I bought it because when I tried it on it gave me this figure effect. I still do have a waist but less pronounced (except when wearing this coat!). Therefore I think that completely waistless women could achieve the same effect with lightweight billowing fabric that was belted at waist level.
The greater apparent volume above and below would make the “waist” appear.
I can’t pick out any particular year for the 3 looks but I’m looking forward to the answers. I’m seeing Dynasty dresses and suits with power shoulders and slim bottoms but don’t know what years. I’m kind of interested in what would have been recent Gamin/Saucy looks?
Wow, I’m completely fashion-clueless, they don’t sound like any specific era/year to me — other than being “in the past”… I can visualise all the looks but haven’t really noticed them as everyday wear for normal people (as opposed to fashion shoots or shows).
No1 reminds me of 1940s fashions.
No 2 reminds me of late 80s
No 3 reminds me of around 1993-4
This morning I noticed a picture of myself taken in 1984 wearing a very saucy look: big ruffled shoulders on an otherwise sleeveless garment, twin rows of vertical ruffles forming sort of a bib effect (remember that look?), and the skirt was all ruffled too. I remember around that time seeing lots of skirts with layered tiers.
Also, I agree with Imogen about the early 90s, even though I was hopelessly out of style at that time. The outfit I wore on New Year’s eve 1989/90 was completely saucy, so cute, and pretty out there for me: olive green with black stripes and/or polka dots (can’t completely remember), short sleeved top and flouncy shortish skirt. Now that I describe it, it does sound a bit like a transitional outfit from #2 to #3.
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