The Times They are a-Changing (and in some cases, thank God!)

I really love dresses and fashion with a retro aesthetic. There seems to be something seriously wrong with a lot of today's mainstream fashion. Most young woman are content to wear anything that shows a lot of skin or is so tight that it shows every bulge or ripple of cellulite. 40-50 years ago it was all about class and line and sophistication. Sexy was a manner of being, an attitude of confidence...instead of how naked you can get away with being in public. I mean, jeezus, a thong clip is an actual item. You can stick some "jewelry" on the back of your underwear to accessorize the bit that pokes out the back of your low-waisted pants. Haute couture plumber's crack...cuh-lah-say!

I have a love affair with fashion from the 30's-60's. Dresses caressed the curves instead of obscuring or choking them. A dress with a cinched waist and a flared skirt is flattering to nearly every body type. For the most part it seems a majority of fashions from way back when were beautiful. Coming closer to today...lots of hits and misses. I think the 70's is where it starts to head downhill. Granted, each decade has offered up some classic shapes that will always be flattering, but after that time it seems like there were mere misses than hits.

I was browsing eBay for patterns and came across this pattern....and I think it's great proof that retro doesn't always mean good-lookin'! Also, designer designed doesn't mean good-lookin' either. It's Ralph Lauren, peoples! I love the poses on the models, especially blondie there in the middle. It's Little Bordello on the Prairie! I think that the brunette there is her prim, upright sister. Falling on hard times, they decide to take up employment at Stevie Nick's (in the green skirt) little whorehouse in the Midwest. Blondie, being rather adventurous and lusty, takes to the job right away, while here sister is having major reservations. She twists her hair into a severe bun and Modest Makeovers her dress with the bow and school-marm flats.