My 70s Collage

Okay, are y'all watching Swingtown yet? Loved that bikini Lana Parrilla wore in last night's episode! Some more 70s-inspired duds, from Missoni's Resort 2009 Collection. Photos via style.com.

It's official; I'm obsessed

Suggestions on how to wear that 70s look . . . fabulous retro-licious dresses, all available at shopbop.com:

Above: Milly brown and orange Tiki backless silk jersey tunic dress . . . the color scheme of this sexy side-slit number is decidedly seventies in spirit!

Right: T-Bags kelly green voile print deep v neck dress with side tie waist - so perf to throw on over your bikini, or pair with skinnies for a night on the town! This color is one of CC's faves.

See by Chloe silk shoulder pleat dress. What a unique print! And CC is loving the easy shape, blousy sleeves, and on-seam pockets.

Nieves Lavi green diamond print sleeveless dress with tie waist. Ideal for those sweltering city summer afternoons. Would really work with gold gladiator flats!

Catherine Malandrino pergola print cowl neck sweater dress. We'll file this one away for fall . . . will be so dreamy with opaque tights, knee-high boots, and a swingy a-line coat!

That 70s Look

Couture Carrie is totally inspired by the new CBS show, Swingtown. This drama by the creator of Big Love is fantastic, so if you haven’t gotten hooked yet, tune in on Thursday nights at 10 for scandalous network fun laced with Quaaludes, ménages a trois, and fabulous seventies style.


The first two pics are via cbs.com. Note the sassy chandelier, exposed white brick, and shag carpet on set!
And even though I never went there, I became a bit nostalgic for the Playboy Club after seeing the scene in Episode 2 where the whole crew is served drinks in classic Bunny style and then everybody does the hustle! Is Grant Show not the hotness with that 'stache?

Fortunately, we can channel that 70s look without scavenging the thrift stores (though that can be fun . . . ), since designers are offering a bevy of retro-inspired looks for fall.

The runway photos that follow are taken from nymag.com’s coverage of the Resort 2009 and Fall 2008 shows. From top to bottom:

LONG DRESSES:

Erdem

Dark floral chiffon mock-turtleneck gown. Sounds awful; looks great! It's amazing how a dress with so much coverage can still be incredibly sexy!


Emilio Pucci

These graphic prints will never go out of style!


Alexandre Hercovitch

Op-art concentric-circle print with scandalously low v-neck. I'm totally wearing this one to my next fondue party!

Issa

Halter-style maxi dress with generous doses of peach and brown

Leonard

Strapless patterned peasant dress with pockets . . . perfect to wear to that poetry reading.

Mara Hoffman

Couture Carrie's personal fave . . . would adore wearing this symmetrically patterned cream-hued stunner to a gallery opening in BK!

Michael Kors

There's no mistaking the nod to the seventies in this gold-flecked orange and pink gown, complete with empire waist and deep v neckline. And get a load of the gold chandelier earrings!


SHORT DRESSES:

A-line, with poufy sleeves, round neck or keyhole

Leonard

Generously cut three-quarter sleeve frock with majestic tapestry pattern.

Just Cavalli

Disco-era chicks were not afraid to mix and match prints! Loving the leopard tights and peasant tunic combo. Note the oversize accessories: huge pendant and floppy hat.

Christian Dior

Retro-licious kaleidoscopic floral motif, complete with frilly cap sleeves.

Allegra Hicks

Abstract leaf-print with a bit of sheen and a wide trompe l'oiel belt - genius!

Ports 1961

Muted tones and just enough exposed skin! I hope the fingerless opera glove catches on for fall!

Tibi

The color scheme alone screams "seventies"! Geometricized stair and palm frond print in gray, orange, beige and black . . .

Tuleh

Because there are a shortage of knee-high red suede boots in the world... We are totally wearing this sexy striped wrap to the next key party!

Gucci

You can always recognize a disco-fabulous look by its unabashed amount of fringe.

PANTS:

High waist; wide leg; the tighter, the better!

Halston

The original and best is back, with orange in abundance, and a fabulously tacky long fur vest to boot!

And remember that only leisure suit adage: If it ain't polyester, it ain't worth wearing!

Hermés

Can you say "paisley"?

Miss Sixty

Looks like high-waist, wide-leg jeans are here to stay!

I LOVE THE 80s

It’s official . . . they’re baaaaaaack. To jog your memory, see the cinematic wonders of the decade at http://www.fast-rewind.com/. Dress the part with fluorescent socks; Madonna bracelets; Jordache jeans; Vans, jellies, tricked-out Nikes or patent pumps; leg warmers or stirrup pants; Wayfarers; and dangly bright plastic earrings. While the iconic pieces pictured in the collage above are all "vintage", the rest of this post consists entirely of CURRENT fashion trends, all nods to the past but available NOW!

Some famous 80s labels that have recently reinvented themselves include: Lacroix, Halston, and Norma Kamali, and Ossie Clark. Other 80s trends that have been resurrected? Sperry Topsiders; Moon Boots; Tretorns; bodysuits; lanyards; and side ponytails. And don’t forget about Member Only jackets like this delightmare gold version at right, for purchase at traceyross.com !

An undeniably retro look by Enrico Coveri (photo at right taken from Italian Vogue’s coverage of the fall runway shows in Milan) is the modern embodiment of the 80s bright minidress, tights and booties trend. Awesome!

Ra Creations reminds us simultaneously of feather-trim roach clips and friendship bracelets with this Marykate peacock hair clip, for purchase at shopbop.com. Dope!

Don't forget your leggings! Whether they are leopard or lace, like Kova and T's (pictured at right and available at ronherman.com). Apparently Lindsay Lohan, determined to see that her favorite clothing item remains on the radar, has jumped on the legging-design bandwagon (though I have yet to see her creations in any store). Rad!

Of course, we all know how to channel the 80s with some fab retro sneakers. But how to go dressy, you ask? Darlings, fear not: the deliciously decadent footwear for Fall 2008 will keep you right in step with the Wall Street crew.

Just check out these fluorescent pink Emilio Pucci patent leather lace-up boots (at right).

Or, even more tragically hip, Christian Louboutin's ridiculously patterned leather and suede high-heel boots (at left). Both photos via style.com. Bitchin'!

I totally did a Jane Fonda double-take when I saw this photo of a performance by Girls Aloud at dailymail.com/uk. Holy leotards, Batman!

Well, darlings, it is true: girls just wanna have fun!

PIN-UP GIRL GLAMOUR

The fashion-fabulous fifties are alive and well, 50 years hence! In today's post, Couture Carrie references both classic and modern takes on the pin-up theme.
First, recall one of the “originals”: Brigitte Bardot! Go to http://www.hollywoodpinup.com/pin-ups/_bardot.html
Hollywood’s interpretation, in a recent issue of Vanity Fair? This playful soft-serve ice cream dream, the lovely Transformers star Rachael Taylor. Visit: http://www.vanityfair.com/fame
Of course, the way to channel this eternally sexy look is with a suitably vamped-up bikini, like this Victoria's Secret retro bandeau top and ultra high waist bottom (at left), complete with adorable front patch pockets. This and many other gorgeous suits are on sale right now at victoriassecret.com! If you prefer a maillot, try the Chio Roma yellow halter suit pictured above, available at mollybrownsswim.com. Gorgeous gams deserve to be showcased this summer, in retrolicious style!