No other era spoke to the spirit of Playgirl better than this. In America, the philosophies of Free Love swept from sea to shining sea, loosening social, gender and culture codes. To witness it all, one only has to step inside the closet. For women, who had to cage their bodies into undergarment, layered dresses, stockings and brassiere, the change was nothing short of liberating. By this decade, the woman –and especially the playgirl– was empowered to dress less. Fabric trends shifted from the heavy tweeds, stiff cottons, and thick linens of the past to free-flowing silk, sheer feathery organza, figure hugging weightless jersey and popular polyester blends.
Iconic designers just starting their labels, like Halston, Norma Kamali and DVF, shaped these fabrics into new silhouettes that allowed women to embody the fun and flirty vibes of the decade. Dresses got flirty, with flowing shapes, asymmetrical hemlines and absolutely no visible lining. This technique allowed women to wear their dresses like second skin and showcase young, lithe, supple bodies.
It wasn’t all sex and sensibility: This era also allowed women to touch on masculinity. Menswear staples like button down shirts, trousers and denim became popular in women’s closets. From shirt dresses to sheer blouses and silk pajamas, women took the trend to feminine new heights.
For playgirls –and every girl– of the era, the biggest story was: color! For decades –centuries, in fact– society played it safe. Blacks, whites, browns and the occasional pop of red or staid patterns were the hues and prints of choice. But a 70s society, fast embracing diversity, was also primed to embrace color. Sun yellow, lime green, candy pink, regal purples, and vibrant orange were just some of the shades that reigned supreme. Playgirl captured the vibes both with the “Fashion & Beauty Guides” and with the many fashion editorials. Models channeled the sultry smokey eyes, defined brows, and bold lip colors popular at the time. And stylists elevated them to sex Goddesses, with bold, bright, lush gowns in a rainbow of hues.
Want a taste? Here, a soft lilac, sheer organza with a plunging neckline stimulates the imagination while simultaneously leaving nothing to it.
An ethereal red chiffon gown showcases the form and movement popular for the times.
But it was the clingy, body-con jersey dresses of various lengths that came to define a woman at play…
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