Shapes of Fashion - 1970's

Definitions of a fashion style evolve over time, so when dating patterns it is helpful to have a benchmark for a given era. For example, peplums have been used since the 1930's, but their style and shape have changed as time has passed.

In my travels, I found a wonderful sewing book from the early 1970's  - "The Complete Family Sewing Book" by Curtin Publications. Within it pages were basic line drawings of different styles of the period, a snapshot of 1972. I hope you find these illustrations of dresses, skirts, pants, coats and jackets helpful.  

Dresses

A-Line, Tubular, Bell and Misc. 

Skirts

Straight, A-Line, Wrap A-Line, Gored, Flared, Dirndl, Inverted Pleat, Unpressed Box Pleats, Stitched Box Pleats, Knife Pleats, Yoke with Pleats, Kilt

Pants

Long, Short and Jumpsuits

Jackets

Bolero, Blazer, Chanel, Peplum

Coats

Chesterfield, Classic Fitted, Classic Full, Trenchcoat, Wrap

Capes

Poncho, Fitted Cape, Monk's Cape 

And just for fun......

Sleeves

 I hope you enjoyed this blast to the past. And yes, I wore each and every one of these styles.