Saturday, January 4, 2020

David Jones Catalogue, Spring-Summer 1977

1977! Disco was still king (though punk had made its debut, with the Sex Pistols' number "God Save the Queen" upsetting Establishment Britain).  Hits that year included "Dancing Queen" by Abba, and "Hotel California" by the Eagles. In cinemas the hits of the year were Star Wars and Saturday Night Fever (both of whose soundtracks made it into the charts).

In the fashion world Zandra Rhodes showed her "punk collection", Yves Saint Laurent sent puffed sleeves and "bustles" down the catwalk, and Diane Keaton wore layered clothes by Ralph Lauren in the film Annie Hall.

And in Australia the upmarket department store "David Jones" released this catalogue for its country customers.  These were clothes for prosperous middle class women who couldn't afford haute couture and were not definitely not interested in avant garde fashion.

A.  Maglia's little-nothing maillot has a totally natural braline with halter neck and tiny staps that cross at back.  Choose pink or French blue, in hand-washable nylon/lycra that hugs your curves but beautifully.  $30.
B. Brief bikini for any age figure that can take it.  Maglia's 2.5 cm. side briefs, classic halter neck with natural bra, gilt front clasp.  Nylon/Lycra hand-washable and quick-drying, in royal pink/pale blue/yellow broken stripes, as illustrated.  Sensational on sleek bodies.  $28.
C.  Miltex maillot is young-styled and low-backed, and super-stunning.  Sleek stretch nylon moulds your figure from the natural braline down.  Pick jade green or black with wooden beads at strapline.  $25.
A. When is a sundress not really a sundress?  When it's a fetching twosome that can divide to multiply your wardrobe.  Here, a four-gored, slightly flared skirt with back zip, and a matching top border printed, on a fine halter.  You just know the back is low and sun-catching.  Poly-cotton in red/white, green/white.  Summer's newest look  Only $20.
B.  Summer's prettiest flounced skirt comes with its own softly contoured top, elasticated at the waist, and haltered on its own gilt choker.  Wow.  Washable polyester-cotton in white and natural with the finest contrast edging.  Fashion at $34.
C.  Impossible not to look devastating in this wrap-around skirt all covered in tiny flowers and topped to match.  Gilt choker holds halter easily.  Elastic waist.  Blue, black, poly-cotton.  $18.
A.  Striking one-shoulder top is cotton/polyester with 3 rows of gold braid.  White, red, navy black.  Easycare. Just $8.99.
B.  Classic short with stiffened belt and neat buckle.  Front zip.  Easy poly/viscose.  In white, navy with contrast trim.  $11.
C.  Stripes plus a drawstring waist, split front pocket, makes this the smash hit of summer.  Ocean or emerald cotton.  At $10.99.
D.  New look shorts with old-fashioned price.  Poly-cotton in white/green, navy/white, red/white.  Elasticised waist. $11.
E.  A strapless top is a 'must' this summer.  Cotton with gold 'Hang Ten' motif.  White, read, emerald, yellow, navy, black.  $5.99.
F.  Classic shorts go pin-striped with fitted waist, flat zip front.  Easy poly/viscose in white with black, red, navy or green.  $8.

A.  Delta adds a tie you can wear at neck or waist with this elegant polyester blouse.  Blue, green, gold; narrow cuffs.  Value, $25.
B. Classic polyester linen pants have stitched band.  Mini-iron.  Nat, navy.  $28.
C.  Delta's peasant blouse for day or evening.  Green, natural, brown, navy washable polyester with tie neck, full sleeves.  $24.
D.  Linen-look skirt is poly-viscose, hand washable in natural, navy, green.  Delta tailors it beautifully, inside and out.  $30.
E.  Patchwork print makes the jazziest summer shirt in 100% cotton: blue, red, brown.  Delta says, wear it in or out.  Only $20.
F.  Delta's slim-leg pants in textured poly.  Red, white, blue.  Value, $28.50.
A: Breeze through summer's casual hours (relaxing at home, by the pool, or entertaining) looking like a million dollars in the easy, elegant Arnel jersey caftan.  Hand-washable.  $30.
B: Here's a real figure flatterer, from its square cut neck to wide elbow length raglan sleeves, easy caftan cut.  Arnel jersey that's hand washable, in the prettiest print  $30.
A. Cool cotton, and beautifully collected with mitred stripes, back zip opening.  Navy/red/green or blue/lilac/pink.  Great at $14.
B.  You'd expect a sundress with all the shaping detail of this beauty to be quite costly.  Not a bit.  It's pure cotton, comes in green/navy, red/navy, with back zip opening, buttons.  At $14.
C.  Beat the heat with a patchwork float of a dress in fine cotton: red/navy, green/navy.  Square neck, square armholes.  Fashion at $14.
A. It's easy to look cool, unfussed on the hottest day in an Arnel jersey float.  This one is wide cut with large patch pockets, deep reverse collar.  Pink or blue.  Washable.  Only $20.
B. Splashy flowers on blue (or green) Arnel jersey add to the cool summery mood of this wide necked float.  It's gathered on string straps, frilled at the hem.  A pool-party winner.  $20.
C.  Cap sleeves, and a straight up-and-down line make this Arnel jersey float a flatterer on any figure.  Slit neckline is on a deep V insert.  Side pockets.  Choose lilac or pink.  At $20.
A.  The classic shirtdress goes two-piece for double elegance.  Poly/cotton voile with sunray pleated skirt, button-through top.  Cream with blue or pink flowers.  A steal at $29.
B.  The shirtmaker suit in plain jersey for day or evening.  Choose magnolia, peppermint or eggshell blue.  For all its costly look it's washable, easy-care.  A special buy, $29.
C. Beat the heat and look fresh and smart in this cool, washable, crease-resistant two-piecer, with patch pockets, gored skirt, tie belt.  Red, green, blue with white polyester.  $29.
 A. For women sized 14-24—flattering zip front dress with border print, self-tailored belt.  Easy-care polyester in red, navy.  Just $39.
B. Big girl flatterer has round neck, detailed stitching, back zip opening, can be worn with or without tie belt.  Blue, red poly.  $39.
C. Ever-popular stripes are slimming when mitred.  Uncut waist can be worn without tie belt.  Navy/white, brown/white, polyester.  $39.
D. Polyester jersey in monotone print is easy, attractive on all figures.  Pink or navy, both with white.  A fine fashion buy at $39.

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