Groovy Pantsuits from the Early 1970s

 Pants had been established as casual wear for women by the middle of the twentieth century.  However, there were strict limits on when and where you could wear them.  They were acceptable, for example, on the beach or at a picnic, for lounging around at home or even visiting your local suburban shopping centre.  They were not accepted, on the other hand, in city centres, at most places of work, or in most restaurants.

 All this started to change in the late sixties and early seventies.  On the one hand you had "Women's Lib", push the boundaries of what was allowable for women.  On the other, you had... fashion.  Ever-rising hemlines in the second half of the 1960s meant that many adult women were unhappy and uncomfortable in the fashionable skirt length.  Other women found their replacements, midi-skirts, dowdy and aging.  Clearly something new was required: not too casual, but easy to wear!

Enter the pants suit, one of the defining outfits of the 1970s.

National Bellas Hess catalog, Winter 1970

 

"Save to 21% on Knit Pantsets
Join the Pant Set in "sweatery" acryllic knits.  Machine washable."

Vanity Fair, November 1970

"ALL TRAFFIC STOPS HERE... Brenda Console spends thousands of pounds on clothes a year—and she reckons her dress allowance is nowhere near big enough.  She's bought the coat and gaucho on our cover... Cover coat and matching quilted pants... by Emanuelle Khan."

David Jones catalogue, Autumn and Winter 1971

A. The polo shirt by Aywon.
B. This sleeveless midi-cardigan gives a great affect over everything.
C. Slip-on and straight leg slacks in washable Acrilan.
D. Jacquard Acrilan jersey knit tunic top.
E. Wide cuffs, zip-fly front, matching buttons... that's these pure wool slacks.
F. Gaucho-teaming polo shirt in knitted Acrilan.
G.  Freedom-flared gaucho pants, contoured waist, contrast leather belt.

David Jones catalogue, Spring and Summer 1971

"See,now, how a pants suit fits every fashion context—bridging the mini-midi gap, shaping up clean-carved or beautifully relaxed, ready to go with you anywhere—stylishly.  Light, cool and yours to wear all summer long..."

Style Pattern Book, Autumn/Winter 1972

"Sparkle in this outfit for magic evenings.  The simple charm of the full-sleeved blouse, worn with wide flared pants and topped with a sequined waistcoat, heralds a return to the elegant '30s style."

Simplicity Pattern Book, Autumn/Winter 1973

"ON OUR COVER
There's a new line to jackets—they're shapely, deftly seamed to follow the silhouette; they have long lapels and curvy hems—splendidly dashing to wear oer cuffed, wide legged pants."