Easy No-Pattern Sewing Instructions for Vintage 1970s Boho Fashions!

Posted by & filed under Daily Life, Fashion, Vintage.

Bare Halter Dress and Skirt/Strapless Sundress

Tie-On Caftan, Tunic Top and Sundress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While flipping through the June 1976 issue of Glamour Magazine, I saw not only this fabulous Boho fashion editorial but HOW TO MAKE THEM! The easy, no-patterns, no zippers, no buttons instructions are included. Seriously, what fashion magazine does that anymore? Just another reason why I am glad I have a huge stash of my old 1970s fashion magazines – there are always surprises!

These beachy Bohemian-vibe fashions are timeless. For a second I thought I was looking at an Ace & Jig catalog, but quickly realized that it is now 2018 not 1976! I totally wore all these styles in the 70s, and still wear them now. Okay, maybe not the halter dress, but I rocked the look in 1976. My favorite look is the model with the striped tunic top. With her rolled-up jeans and lace-up espadrilles, she looks how I look all summer (both then and now).

The Bare Halter Dress, Skirt/Strapless Sundress, Tie-On Caftan, Tunic Top and Sundress instructions are below, with fabric suggestions. Click on the photos to enlarge:

Pattern-less Fashions Instructions

Pattern-Less Fashions Instructions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy these cool pattern-less sewing instructions and fashions!

~Marilyn

 

 

If you enjoyed this article, consider purchasing fabric and craft materials from the affiliate link below:
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Dorothy Hamill’s ‘Short & Sassy’ Wedge Haircut 1976

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Dorothy Hamill for Clairol’s Short & Sassy, 1976

Dorothy Hamill became America’s Sweetheart after her gold medal ice-skating win at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Dorothy had developed a new skating move – a camel spin that turns into a sit spin – which became known as the “Hamill Camel”. Not only was this new spin dramatic, but it perfected showed off her precision-cut wedge hairstyle when it flew out around her head. This hairstyle was created by her hair stylist, Yusuke Suga, and became a huge fad.

I can distinctly remember watching Dorothy in the 1976 Olympics, and being enthralled with not only her skating performance but with her hair. THAT HAIR. I was propelled to cut off my long, side-parted hair into the Wedge. I have thick hair with a lot of body, so it worked well for me. I wore this cute style for about two years, but the frequent haircut maintenance required to keep it looking sharp started wearing on me.

Of course, Clairol capitalized on her ‘short and sassy’ look by developing “Short & Sassy” shampoo and conditioner for short hair. They touted that short hair has special needs, like body and bounce. The conditioner had more than twice the protein of leading conditioners.

It remains a classic, flattering hairstyle to this day. I, however, have reverted back to my original early ’70s long, side-parted style. It’s also a classic, but requires A LOT less maintenance.

~Marilyn

Yardley ‘Sexpot’ Pot O’ Gloss Vintage 1976

Posted by & filed under Beauty, Fashion, Vintage.

Pot O’ Gloss. The sexpots from Yardley. 1976

I thought I’d exhausted every last Yardley Pot O’ Gloss ad from the 1970s, but I FOUND ONE MORE! This ad is from 1976, when the whole Yardley of London thing was ramping down and it was just plain old Yardley. Yardley was going through major changes to their makeup line at this time, but it seems that they were holding onto Pot O’ Gloss for a bit longer.

This ad features a tomboyish model with freckles, braids and preppy shirt and sweater. “Look ma, I’m a sexpot” she declares, “I can’t believe it’s me. (Don’t worry ma, I’ll be home by midnight.)”

Pot O’ Gloss was touted as a sensual way to make up. Because it was lip color you could see, smell, taste and touch. With the flick of the finger, you had ripe, luscious, shiny lips. All this apparently earned Pot O’ Gloss sexpot status in 1976.

If you haven’t been following my blog, please know that I am a diehard vintage 60s/70s Yardley of London fanatic. Pot O’ Gloss remains my absolute favorite lip gloss of all time. I can still smell, taste and feel it! As I always do with every Yardley of London post that I write, I implore Yardley to BRING BACK POT O’ GLOSS. Thank you for your cooperation. 🙂

~Marilyn

Catherine Deneuve for Chanel No. 5 Perfume~Vintage 1974

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Catherine Deneuve for Chanel

The classically beautiful French actress, Catherine Deneuve, did a fabulous ad campaign for Chanel in the 1970s. What could be more perfect than an iconic French actress modeling for an iconic French fashion house? This 1974 ad for Chanel No. 5 perfume shows Catherine in a somewhat relaxed mood, with hand to forehead. Of course she looks as elegant and gorgeous as always.

The Chanel No. 5 perfume shown is in its classic glass bottle. Perfume prices (in 1974) were from $10 to $400. Eau de Toilette from $7 to $20. Eau de Cologne from $5 to $20, Spray Perfume $7.50, and Spray Cologne $7.00.

~Marilyn

The Fabulous Marimekko Liidokki Dress Vintage 1974

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Marimekko Liidokki Dress, 1974

I was delighted to come across this fashion spread in the January 1974 issue of Glamour magazine because, MARIMEKKO! The utterly fabulous and iconic Liidokki smock dress in the Kirjo print is modeled by the gorgeous Barbara Summers.

The dress was designed by Pentti Rinta in 1974, for the Marimekko Design Research label. The design has stood the test of time as Marimekko brought back some of their 1960s and 1970s iconic archival pieces for the spring/summer 2017 collection. The Liidokki dress was one of five styles that was reintroduced. It pretty much sold out immediately, which proves Marimekko’s style is timeless. I only wish that I would have gotten one!

~Marilyn

Maybelline Waterborne Eye Shadows Vintage 1971

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Maybelline Waterborne Eye Shadows, 1971.

Pale pastel eye shadow was the look in the early ’70s. It was all about “a new wave of colors”, but they had to be muted. This 1971 ad for Maybelline Waterborne eye shadows shows the model wearing blue, pink, yellow and green shadows, with corresponding pearl necklaces.

Waterborne eye shadows came in collections of colors borne of the sea – Sea Wave, Sea Shell or Sea Deep. They each came with three pearl-tone shadows, brush and mixing well. You dipped the sable-soft brush in water and stroked cool, sea-fresh colors onto your lids. You could mix one shade with another to create your own sheer color.

~Marilyn