1975, A Year in Pants (David Jones catalogue, Autumn-Winter 1975)

Flipping through the David Jones catalogue for Autumn and Winter 1975 I couldn't help noticing that nearly all the daytime outfits available to the store's female customers included pants.  Catalogues published only a few years earlier would have included a much wider range of dresses and skirts—with trousers for women relegated to the section for casual wear.  This little booklet, then, shows how much things had changed for women in a very short time.

The model on the cover has a rather manic look, as if she's been driven insane by all the 1970s brown surrounding her.  The outfit is described as:

"The beautifully put-together pant suit.  Jacket is Europe's darling of the moment.  Longer line with gentle easing, broader tie belt... The pants that match... tailored to hang beautifully, fit where they should in brown or green wool/polyester gaberdine."

On the left:

"The occasional cardigan by Sportscraft ... in pure, hand-washable wool."

On the right is the jacket featured on the cover (this time in green) worn with a matching skirt.

From left to right:

"Rich velvet pants have slightly wider legs, inset waistband loops.  Two back pockets in new Parisian manner.  Turquoise, brown, black.  Aywons in washable cotton velvet."

"...Aywon's Acrilan jersey pants; hand washable, non crush, curved stitched pockets."

"Camel coloured corduroy jeans are Awyon's newest styling; beautifully cut, accented with important zips."

"Crestknit plays the put-'em-together game and shows you how easily it can be done with easy separates that multiply your wardrobe threefold."

Separates: a very 'seventies fashion.   All outfits are completed by pants in pure wool.

Another very seventies fashion—pantsuits.  At left:

"The soft and gentle pantsuit that will take you most anywhere—in a very good frame of mind!  Jacket is lightly gathered into the yoke, tied by a loose belt, outlined by contrast stitching.  Pants have an elegant line, slightly flared.  The whole in jersey you can wash with care."

At right:

"It's hard to beat the basic pantsuit—specially when the one we're showing you is hand washable.  The blazer jacket is slightly fitted, styled with an action back and wide lapels.  The pants slightly flared.  Suited to most occasions, dressed up or down by the addition of a shirt or sweater.  Hand washable as we said, again and again, as this is an easy Acrilan."

 

Not a pantsuit this time, but

"...go-togethers that are decidedly French inspired.  Jacket is richly checked brown Donegal tweed: 80% wool, 20% polyester... Slim cut pants are creamy Donegal tweed..."

Back to the pantsuits.  These are described as being inexpensive, and are all made of "Orlon that washes, dries like new".  Yes, it's the (in)famous 1970s polyester pantsuit.

Cardigans are the featured garment here—both in 100% acrylic.  Matched on the left with wool blend pants; on the right with herringbone tweed (wool blend).  The catalogue doesn't say what fabric the wool is blended with, or in what proportions.

Finally we come to:

"Pin stitched lines at the shoulder—that's the only decoration this classic shirt needs.  Imported in a soft jersey knit that's a quickly washed polyester."

"The winning pant—could only be French inspired.  Cut to make legs look long and lanky, finished off by double pockets."

"Checker board of lace—this shirt has an eye-catching design in nylon jersey knit, which also makes it an easy-care winner."

"Favourite for comfort, with a great dash of style.  The pull-on pant this year has stitched seams—down both legs.  Flat, elasticised waist to sit neatly."