APRIL 16, 2020
Remember we are looking at late 1970s fashion. Clothing was more relaxed and baggier. The folklore/hippie/ safari vibe was the look with lots of layering of clothes and prints and patterns; midi skirts and vests, maxi dresses, strapless dresses, headbands, green and khaki with their compliment colours. There were also platform sandals worn with hot pants, tube tops and skinny tops with high-waist pants and jeans with bell-bottoms. Fashion was so varied that anything could go.
I don’t have all the garments shown in the photos. Detail images are of the ones that I still have on hand. I felt fortunate to have sold some of the pieces after the graduation fashion show in the late 1970s. And I’m thankful that I had the foresight to save the remaining samples of my work.
red floral peasant blouse (missing braid ties at neckline and sleeves)
In this group there are three designs. The common elements are red-floral plain-weave cotton similar in scale to Liberty patterns and green cotton twill. Trim includes 3mm wide green braid to match the cotton twill, green buttons and 2 cm wide fabric belts with brass buckles and eyelets.
left: back view of vest with racer-back armhole, blouse and skirt, right: long vest, tiered skirt and peasant blouse
Long vest, tiered skirt and peasant blouse
The model in the centre of the photograph is wearing a red-floral peasant blouse and tiered skirt. The pullover blouse with a front slit is shirred along the narrow neckband. A length of braid pulled through thread loops closes the neckline. On the sleeves braid is run through a channel and exits through thread eyelets where it is tied.
The skirt has braid on each of the three tiers. Cotton Swiss eyelet-embroidery is layered underneath the tiered skirt like the fabric in the blouse on the left.
The twill long-vest with red-floral belt has twelve 1.5 cm buttons down the front, a V-neck front with mid-armhole darts and racer-back armholes, self-fabric belt loops.
Variation: The addition of 3 cm wide cotton lace on each tier of the skirt.
Janice’s sketch, long vest, tiered skirt and peasant blouse ©Janice Colbert 2020
Featuring the centre garments, long vest, tiered skirt, peasant blouse
detail, green twill vest, mid-armhole darts, racer-back armholes, red belt
detail, red floral tiered skirt, braid, 3 cm wide cotton lace
Vest, blouse and skirt
The red-floral vest with V-neck and racer-back armholes has buttons down the front and ties at the waist with braid. The dirndl skirt in midi length is twill with a front-button placket.
Variation: The blouse was made with cotton Swiss eyelet-embroidery. The scalloped border was incorporated in the collar edge, and for the sleeve cuff and hem.
Janice’s sketch, vest, blouse and skirt ©Janice Colbert 2020
vest, blouse and skirt
Hot pants and blouse
The pullover blouse has red-floral accents for the extra-long placket, the Peter Pan collar with rounded ends in front, and the cuffs. The collar and cuffs are trimmed with braid that follows the edges. A braid bow ties at the neck.
The hot pants with red-floral belt have a fly front, two pleats on each side of centre and self-fabric belt loops. The side seams are flat fell seams.
Variation: The fabric for the blouse is a cream-colour jersey with a fine rib and shimmer.
Janice’s sketch, hot pants and blouse ©Janice Colbert 2020
hot pants and blouse
hot pants, red belt
