Whether it’s dinner for two, or a special night out with a crowd, you want to be sure that you’ve got that certain ‘little number’ to fit the bill. To be sure that you’re not caught on the hop, we’ve picked a selection of really feminine dresses, satin trousers, skirts, tops and even an elegantly tailored, satin suit fit for the Ritz. Happy wining and dining!
Photographed by David Anthony.
Scanned from 19 Magazine, December 1976.
Lace and satin nightdress, turquoise and white, by Janet Reger. Mules by Midas.
Photographed by Eric Boman at The Savoy.
Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Vogue, April 1977.
Silk crepe de chine wrap by Richard Hamnett at Tuttabankem White bra and French knickers by Silhouette at Dickins and Jones. Plastic and marabou shoes by Rayne.
White layered waist slip by Janet Reger. Clear plastic mules by Midas.
Briefest white bra and white nyloon very briefs, both by Triumph. Clear plastic mules by Midas.
Photographed by Christa Peters.
Scanned by Miss Peelpants from The Observer Magazine, 15th February 1976.
Pleated cotton skirt and tunic top by Chatelaine. Sandals from Midas.
Blue stripe pinafore dress by Coopers. Sandals by Midas.
Red silk embroidered tabard dress by Wendy Dagworthy. Navy sandals from Russell & Bromley.
Sailing boat print dress by Samuel Sherman. Navy espadrilles by Chelsea Cobbler.
Dress, worn by all models, by Prêt-à-Porter. Left: Tights by Mary Quant. Boots by Midas. Orange rope from Bazaar Shops. Sash by Strawberry Studio. Pouch by Midas. Centre: Pants by Prêt-à-Porter. Boots by Russell & Bromley. Rope and belt by Bazaar Shops. Woven belt from The Warehouse. Far right: Shirt by Fifth Avenue. Waistcoat by Casablanca. Petticoat by Strawberry Studio. Boots by Midas. Scarf by Cornelia James.
Ever been to a party in a not very exclusive dress and had that feeling that someone else is bound to be wearing the same thing? Or, maybe, you simply can’t afford more than one dress for the party season. Here are some smart ideas on how to ring the changes with just one number and be the belle of the ball every single time.
Photographed by Robyn Beeche.
Scanned by Miss Peelpants from 19 Magazine, December 1976.
An early shoot by legendary Australian photographer Robyn Beeche, who would later make her name capturing the alternative scene in London in the early 1980s and who sadly died earlier this year. Beeche is largely known for her documentation of catwalk shows and Alternative Miss World events, as well as experimental portraiture, so it’s interesting to see a more conventional studio/fashion set-up from her at the beginning of her career.
Shirt dress, worn by all models, by Jeff Banks. Far left: Tights by Mary Quant. Shoes by Dolcis. Net scarf from Nostalgia. Gold sash by Strawberry Studio. Fabric around head and worn as sash from John Lewis. Centre: Jeans by Made in Heaven. Shoes by Sacha. Sashes by Strawberry Studio. Purses from Mitsukiku. Right: Sweater by Simon. Boots by Midas. Belt from Bazaar Shops.
Hand-printed silk dresses by Zandra Rhodes. White net shoes from Midas. Lilac leather shoes by Karl Lagerfeld from Chloe.
Photographed by Claus Wickrath. Make-up by Kirsty Climo.
Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Harpers and Queen, June 1980
Silk one shoulder top and frilled skirt, shoes and leather belt all by Karl Lagerfeld from Chloe.
Left: Raspberry cotton dress with satin belt by Sportmax. White patent leather shoes with bows by Manolo Blahnik. Centre and right: Silk camisoles by Fenn Wright & Manson. Cotton skirts by Jil Sander. Fuschia sandals by Midas.
Suit by Lee Bender at Bus Stop. Belt by Chris Trill. Shoes from Midas.
“Start squaring your shoulders, tightening your belt and walking on four-inch heels…”
A phenomenal editorial which feels very ahead of its time. This is really the birth of ‘Power Dressing’, from February 1979. There’s a curious juxtaposition of old and new, the old telephone and boudoir chair in the final photo suggest the origins of these suits in the Forties while the clunky ‘mobile phone’ is the signpost to the unknown future. Pre-Eighties and pre-Thatcher (just) – even pre-Miss Peelpants (also, just!) – there’s something quite charming about the modest silhouette here – which is really rather hard to equate with the horrors which were to come. These feel more in line with the New Romantic and Goth garments from the 1980s which I feel passionate about and choose to collect (like Sarah Whitworth, Symphony of Shadows etc), than with Yuppies and Dynasty, although you can just as equally see their genesis here.
Photographed by Christa Peters. Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Cosmpolitan, February 1979.
Suit by Wallis. Silk camisole by Tatters. Shoes from Pancaldi.
Jute tweed suit by Strawberry Studio. Bag by Butler and Wilson. Shoes from Russell & Bromley.
Cotton cord suit by Howie Diffusion. Camisole from Tatters. Belt by Courtney Reed. Shoes from Pancaldi.
Three piece suit by Daily Blue. Shirt by Riva. Purse and shoes by Pancaldi.
Suit by Stephen Marks. Shirt by Pamela Frances. Belt by Courtney Reed. Shoes from Pancaldi.
Wool crepe suit by Jaeger. Shoes by Pancaldi.
Suit with the wiest shoulders and narrowest skirt by Strawberry Studio. Suede shoes by Sacha.
