Evening Dresses - 1975

Today is the final post in my series about evening looks through the decades. I hope you've enjoyed it!

What a difference another 10 years makes. The introduction of knits, whether silk, rayon, polyester, or nylon has a huge impact on fashion. Styles are now easy while body conscious at the same time. Full length gowns and maxi dresses dominate evening wear, although we do see tuxedos for women and jumpsuits. Disco looks are exploding onto the scene at this time. Enjoy these looks from 1975.

Leonard silk jersey print dress.

Yves St. Laurent silk jersey gown with halter neckline.

Loris Azzaro white satin tuxedo modeled by Marissa Berenson.

Halston navy jersey jumpsuit with cutaway sides and halter neckline.

Zhandra Rhodes hand-painted blouse and long skirt.

Are the 1970s your decade of choice?

Kasper for Joan Leslie - 1975

"I'm constantly refining, improving, interpreting…trying to capture the essence of the times without being trendy. But from whatever source my ideas come from, I always keep in mind that lively, energetic, smart looking woman who is my customer. She's my motivation and my ultimate inspiration." -Herbert Kasper

Herbert Kasper attended Parsons School of Design and then moved to Paris where he worked for the couture houses of Jacques Fath, Christian Dior, and Marcel Rochas. He returned to New York in the early 50s and designed for Arnold Fox. He was awarded a Coty in 1955. In 1965 Kasper joined the firm of Leslie Fay and became the designer for their Joan Leslie division.

In 1975, Saks Fifth Avenue joined with Kasper, Trevira, and the new Loews Hotel Monte-Carlo in a several page advertisement. Princess Grace of Monaco attended the dedication of the Loews Hotel in November of 1975. The hotel is still in operation today as the Fairmont Monte-Carlo.

It is interesting to note that while these dresses are all made of Trevira polyester jersey fabric, they were quite expensive. While we consider polyester an inferior fabric today, it was very popular in the 1970s. All dresses shown in these ads are by Kasper for Joan Leslie and all are of Trevira Star© polyester jersey. Saks Fifth Avenue had Kasper Boutiques in their stores where these dresses were sold.

Above, stripe and polka dot print makes an evening gown with cut-away shoulders and matching scarf. Sold in 1975 for $160 (about $650 in today's dollar.)

Red print wrap dress with matching scarf. Sold in 1975 for $140 (about $568 in today's dollar.)

Solid black dress with matching shawl. Sold in 1975 for $144 (about $585 in today's dollar.)

Lavender cocktail dress that wraps and ties in back. Sold in 1975 for $92 (about $374 in today's dollar.)

A short dress with full sleeves and matching scarf in the same fabric as the dress at top. Sold in 1975 for $122 (about $495 in today's dollar.)

Vintage Sweaters - 1975

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20 years after yesterday's post, the look of sweaters is decidedly different. In 1975, sweaters were longer and were made of heavier, thicker, chunkier yarns than those of 1955. Worn with bell bottom pants, jeans, or long skirts, here are the sweaters the everyday gal wore in 1975.

Allison's Closet bulky cable knit cardigan.

Beverly Johnson wears a wool wrap sweater by Jane Justin.

Organically Grown by Arpeja acrylic (ironic) turtleneck sweater with center muff pockets.

Ellen Tracy wool cardigan with matching vest and hat.

Hooded wool tweed sweater jacket by Swing Low.

Vintage Swimsuits - 1975

In 1975, the news in swimsuits is new lighter-weight Lycra fabrics that were used to great advantage in sleek maillots and daringly bare bikinis. Even the bathing cap is new in thin rubber that shapes to the head. The first 4 photos were taken at the East 23rd Street swimming pool in New York City, which is still in operation today.

At left: Jean-Louis Scherrer white lycra maillot. Sold for $165 in 1975 (about $674 in today's dollar).
At right: Stephen Burrows white nylon/lycra suit with sheer sides and back. Sold for $38 in 1975 (about $155 in today's dollar).

At top: Sirena black lycra bikini with a halter top. Sold for $18 in 1975 (about $74 in today's dollar).
At bottom: Missoni purple and white stripe cotton knit bikini and cover-up skirt. Set sold for $250 in 1975 (about $1021 in today's dollar).

At left: Catalina blue and black stripe maillot in nylon/lycra blend. Sold for $26 in 1975 (about $106 in today's dollar).
At right: Catalina uses the same stripe fabric combined with solid black in a bikini. Sold for $18 in 1975 (about $74 in today's dollar).

At left: White stretch terry t-shirt and shorts cover-up by Lois Anderson for Tannerway. Set sold for $38 in 1975 (about $155 in today's dollar).
At right: Christian Dior for Saks Fifth Avenue red strapless nylon/lycra bikini. Sold for $35 in 1975 (about $143 in today's dollar).

What do you wear with your swimsuit? How about this embroidered raffia bag with matching wedge sandals by Charles Jourdan, also from 1975.

First 4 photos by Deborah Turbeville, last photo by Rudolph Haussaine.