The~Look

Our Caroline O'Hanlon asked why there is nothing in my story 'Suits' about women's era clothing. So, I decided to write this follow up along with her input. Cj's CalBud, Jay

Wedding dresses are the one-time item of clothing for women, probably as the symbol of the WedLock-Lock. So difficult to please everyone and, most of all, yourself. 'Say yes to the dress' is a statement of relief as opposed to a celebration. My Combat boot dress drawing, with a bit of power cleavage showing, strongly suggests stomping on the theory that there is nothing uttered or displayed "To Love and Obey."

Major lifetime of dreams of modeling wedding sessions with Mom's and every 'friendly' advisor; during every formal dress changing presentation: "Wow, you look gorgeous in that (the group scrutinizes and bellows out) but what about this or that..!" An elaborate ceremony compared to men going to rent-a-tux to pick up a well-worn selection with nothing more than hopes it doesn't have Lice...!

Fashion dressing to the 'Nines' - Breakfast at Tiffany's, Audrey Hepburn, would go insane without wearing white gloves on a daily basis. Such~Charm - she even wore shiny bracelets and rings over the gloves to adorn them.

The Adam & Eve era with loincloths and chastity belts evolved to modest lingerie to keep the magic a mystery. Love-ins started in San Francisco, promoting the wear the flowers in the hair statement. And the more than natural curvy braless phase; with the perpetual 'Peace' sign hanging from their necks. Before padded starter-bras were on the market, young girls added Kleenex to show how Growing-GrownUp they were.

Currently ~ Less is more wear: Gen Z's tattoo even in 'special' places one might stand in line to become a poking ink-artist – Cartoons R/Us. Full color flowers adorn their necks and arms and often in unmentionable places that used to be covered by clothing mimicking that of the flower child generation. Perhaps the days of wash-away Face & Body painting morphed into permanent yet personal expressions of Tat's & Piercings followed by lip injections and sexy bulbous butt implants: The allure of crop-tops matched with yoga pants accentuates this public~presentation – Skinny-Jean Me...!

Ushered in a century ago we were roaring into the 'Flapper' era craze when women were overly exposed with bobbles strung from their necks, as they did the crazy-leg kicking Charleston dance, wearing floppy fringed short skirts, Steppin'-High! In many of my favorite Laurel & Hardy episodes, women wore fox stoles around their necks and were proudly wrapped in glamorous mink coats, even on hot days, now non-existent since animal environmentalists threw raw eggs at the wearers.

Entering into the "Blowing in the Wind" 1960's many changes were influenced by Sonny & Cher's whimsical pant suits and bell bottoms. Go-Go Boots were all the rage and Disco performers 'Cage-Danced' absorbing and ignoring the ankle damage they caused. And, not to forget, the 1st time wearers of the minimal-mini-skirts that came with instructions as to how a lady sits {Legs~Crossed} and bends carefully not to expose the Tuckus~Tushy in a crude sorta way. For a little added modesty legs were often stretched over with psychedelic colored diamond-pattern tights: Deserving of a second look.

Dress for the catch. Cj mentioned that she polished herself up and met her husband on a British pub dance floor. As sung by Paul Simon, "Fifty Ways to Catch/or Leave a Lover." They're still dancing while in her stiletto heels, after over 30 years, so worth the bunions. That's dedication to foot wear (and tear) right there.

But, that said, her worst item of clothing ever owned was a body-contour top. 'It was akin to wearing a futuristic iron maiden-like chastity belt with press-studs where rivets once were, crotch area to be explicit, I'd rather have a bit of a muffin top. Looking like cake is better than feeling like an instrument of medieval torture. While current popular belly restraints are called Spanks.'

Glitter~Love: Mom would always say to her four kids. "Sure you can have that once I get my (4) Carat Ring." Dad surprised her with one when we were out of the nest!

What are your Juicy Era~Ideas? Thread through yours.

Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California

'Senior Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -