Softly Softly

1970s, Alain Walsh, Angela at London Town, Bata, biba, bus stop, Butler & Wilson, Chelsea Antiques Market, gillian richard, Honey Magazine, Inspirational Images, Jayne Swayne, lee bender, liberty, liberty's, Martha Hill, miss selfridge, Russell & Bromley, Sujon, Vintage Editorials

Dove-patterned dress with cap-sleeved bolero, £10.75 from Biba, Kensington High Street, W8. Suede patchwork shoes, Russell & Bromley, £6.95; sheer tights, Wolford, 40p ; carved bangle, Butler & Wilson, £1.50 ; plastic bangles, Biba, 55p each. Right : Wool-jersey gymslip dress, Sujon, £9.99, from Liberty, Regent Street, W1 , mail order 25p extra ; Image, Bath. Grey suede shoes, Russell & Bromley, £9.95 ; tights, Mary Quant, 75p ; bangle, Butler & Wilson, £1.50 ; bluebird brooch, Biba, 60p.

Daytime dresses in pretty prints and purely simple plains – warm and practical for everyday but special enough for best.

Photographed by Allan Walsh*.

Scanned from Honey, January 1972.

*Usually credited as Alain Walsh, I think it must be the same photographer.

Royal blue and bright pink spider-. knit Acrylic tiered smock, £4.50, from Martha Hill, 39 Marylebone High Street, W1 , mail order 20p extra. Multi-coloured beaded necklace wound round wrist, Paul Stephens, 80p ; antique green compact, Butler & Wilson, £4.15. Right : Flowered black, lemon and cream short Acrylic smock with pleated front, Gillian Richard, £9.95, from Peter Robinson, Oxford Circus, W1 , mail order 20p extra. Lime green bow brooch, Biba, £3.

Biscuit and plum flower-printed wool dress with fluted cap sleeves, Gillian Richard, £8.25, from Way In, Harrods, Knights-bridge, SW1 ; I Spy, Oxford Street, W1 ; ’27’, King’s Road, SW3. Mulberry flower-carved elasticated bangle, Butler & Wilson, £1.50 ; plain round plastic bangles, Biba, 55p each. Right: Bright yellow and pink sunflower dress in Liberty wool with scalloped neck, Gillian Richard, £11.25, from Liberty, Regent Street, Wl, mail order 25p extra ; I Spy, Oxford Street, W1 ; ’27’, King’s Road, SW3. Ivory brooch, Biba, £3; bangle, Butler & Wilson, £2.

Dusty-blue jersey dress with flared skirt and flouncy cap sleeves, Angela at London Town, £9, from all London branches of Neata-wear ; Sacha, Bridgend. Multi-coloured butterfly brooch from a selection at the Chelsea Antique Market, cream elasticated bracelet, Butler & Wilson, £3. Right: Scarlet wool jersey dress with yellow batwing sleeves and rainbow inset neckline, Jayne Swayne, £8.40, from Bata International, 151 Oxford Street, W1, and main branches including Newcastle, Sheffield, Swansea and Ipswich. Metal pretty-polly brooch, Butler & Wilson, £3.50.

Spider-knit Acrylic puff-sleeved smock, £4.50, from Martha Hill, 39 Marylebone High Street, Wl, mail order 20p extra. Blue bead choker, Paul Stephens, 75p ; antique poppy brooch, £2.50, ivory elasticated bracelet, £3, beaded bag, £4.50, all from Butler & Wilson. Right: Electric-blue jersey dress, Sujon, £9.99, from Liberty, Regent Street, W1 , mail order 25p extra ; Just Looking, King’s Road, SW3. Spotted cotton kerchief, Herbert Johnson, 25p ; sheer blue tights, Mary Quant, 40p.

Scarlet and white confetti-spotted zipped jersey dress, £9.95, from Bus Stop, 3 Kensington Church Street, W8, and all other branches, mail order 15p extra. Plain plum and rust plastic bangles, Biba, 55p each. Wooden bead bangle, from a selection at Miss Selfridge. Right: Spotty silver-grey and white button-through jersey shirt dress, £9.95, from Bus Stop, 3 Kensington Church Street, W8, and all other branches, mail order 15p extra. Rose-carved bangle, Butler & Wilson, £2.

The Drawing Room Stage

1970s, barry lategan, bill gibb, Inspirational Images, manolo blahnik, Vintage Editorials, Vogue, zapata

Cream broderie anglaise full-tiered halter dress, lace on halter, pink satin and bee buttons on bodice. Silk lace jacket: £350, jacket, £50, — at Bill Gibb. Gold shoes, Manolo Blahnik, £39, at Zapata.

Hit looks from Bill Gibb: fashion on the drawing-room stage starring net and ribbons and flowers.

Photographed by Barry Lategan.

Scanned from Vogue, March 15th 1977.

How very pretty. Cream net coat, tied with ribbons over matching full skirt and top. Skirts embroidered with sugar pale flowers from scallop hems. Top, a knitted bandeau with crossover halter. Coat, £98, top, £18, skirt, £116, at Bill Gibb.

Silvered peach skirt, this page, lace appliquéd with shine, wrapped and gathered at waist, with superfine silvered peach cape, £246, cape, £190 at Bill Gibb. Gold shoes, Manolo Blahnik, £39, at Zapata.

Frosted lilac silk organza dress, wrapped, bandeau bodice backless, crossed with silver. Hems of pastel flower embroidery; £380. Lilac hooded cape with silver lace, £190, at Bill Gibb. Gold shoes, Manolo Blahnik, £39, at Zapata.

Strike the right cord

19 magazine, 1970s, Antiquarius, bus stop, clobber, coopers, corocraft, Diane Logan, edward mann, Essenses, Fenwick, Herbert Johnson, Inspirational Images, John Craig, lee bender, ravel, Richard Green, Roger Charity, Russell & Bromley, Sacha, Samm, Sheilagh Browne, stirling cooper, universal witness, Vintage Editorials, Viyella

Green suedette pull-on hat, by Edward Mann, £4. Green cord coat, with wrap-over front and wool shawl collar, £13.75. Matching straight skirt, with two hip pockets, £4.75. Both by Stirling Cooper. Green tights by Mary Quant, 40p. Green leather shoes, with slim heels and high flap fronts, from Samm, £9.99. Brown leather shoulder bag, from Bus Stop, £6.95. Brown leather gloves, with embroidered leather trim, from Universal Witness, £4. Brown and white spotted scarf from a selection at Essences at Antiquarius.

Now you can be spot on by wearing corduroy. This material used to be an essential part of every girl’s wardrobe, but for years it’s been a plain Jane fabric and most unfashionable. This spring, however, cord has made a spectacular comeback, particularly in coordinates. Colours are sludgy, shapes are trim, and it’s a nice, casual fabric that wears well and is flattering. Buy a jacket, then choose skirts and trousers to match—and you’ll have a whole new wardrobe that can cope with the vagaries of the English spring.

Photographed by Roger Charity.

Scanned from 19 Magazine, February 1973.

Brown felt pull-on hat, with wide brim, by Edward Mann, £2.90. Black and white striped shirt, from Bus Stop, £6.95. Beige cord coat, with fitted waist and tie belt, £18.95. Matching cord pants with turn-ups, £5.95. Both by Stirling Cooper. Green leather brogues, with high crêpe soles, from Sacha, £8.99. Pin from a selection at Universal Witness. Black felt hat, by Edward Mann, £2.90. Black and white thinly striped cotton blouse, with revers and short sleeves, by Richard Green, £5. Beige jacket, with revers and tightly gathered waistband, £8.25. Matching skirt, with kick pleat at back, £6.50. Both by Stirling Cooper. Black cover-up tights, by Mary Quant, 40p. Black patent lace-up shoes on high crêpe soles, from Sacha, £8.99. Black leather gloves, from British Home Stores, £1.75.

Brown wool hat, from Browns, £5.50. Brown cord jacket with tightly fitted waist, gathered back and two pockets on hips, £13.75. Matching straight skirt, £6.50. Both by Stirling Cooper. Brown tights by Mary Quant, 40p. Leather shoulder bag, from Bus Stop, £6.95. Brown and cream silk printed scarf, from Fenwick, £2.40. Brown cord pull-on hat, from Diane Logan, £5.25. White jersey shirt, by John Craig, £4.50. Brown cord wrap-over knee-length coat, by Stirling Cooper, £18.95. Gloves from British Home Stores, £1.75. Brown, cream and rust printed scarf, from Fenwick, £2.40.

Green suedette hat, by Edward Mann, £4. Green Viyella shirt, £5.95. Cord wrap-over jacket, £8.50. Matching trousers, with belt-loop waistband, £5.95. All by Stirling Cooper. Shoes from Ravel, £9.50. Bag from Bus Stop, £6.95. Gloves from British Home Stores, £1.75. Scarf from Fenwick, £2.40. Pin from a selection at Essences At Antiquarius. Hat by Edward Mann, £4. Jersey shirt by John Craig, £4.50. Green sweater, with heart-shaped neckline, £4.75. Rust jacket, with gathered back, £13.95. Matching cord trousers, £5.95. All by Stirling Cooper. Shoes from Ravel, £6.50. Brown leather gloves from British Home Stores, £1.75.

Green cord pull-on hat, from Diane Logan, £6. Black and white thinly striped cotton shirt, by Richard Green, £5. Green cord jacket, £11.95. Matching trousers, £5.95. Both by Stirling Cooper. Brogues from Sacha, £4.99. Gloves from British Home Stores, £1.75. Tweed pull-on hat, by Malyard Grey, £6. Grey shawl-neck sweater, with red and white stripes, £4.75. Grey wrap-over jacket, £8.50. Both by Stirling Cooper. Maroon cord Oxford bags, with elasticated waistband, by Sheilagh Brown at Coopers, £9.95. Brown brogues from Sacha, £4.99. Gloves from British Home Stores, £1.75. Silk scarf from Fenwick, £2-40.

Pull-on hat from Herbert Johnson, £2-60. Cotton shirt, from Clobber, £4-95. Grey cord battle jacket, by Sheridan Barnett at Coopers, £15-95. Matching trousers, by Sheilagh Brown, £9-95. Court shoes from Ravel, £5.99. Leather gloves from British Home Stores. £1.75. Scarf from a selection at Essences at Antiquarius. Pull-on hat from Herbert Johnson, £3. Grey silk shirt from Bus Stop, £6-95. Grey cord jacket, £18. Matching trousers, £9.95. Both by Sheilagh Brown at Coopers. Court shoes from Russell and Bromley, £8.49. Leather shoulder bag, from Bus Stop, £6.95. Shetland gloves from Universal Witness, £1-60. Scarf from a selection at Essences at Antiquarius.

Brown felt hat, by Edward Mann, £2-90. Brown cord jacket, £1395. Matching cord skirt, £9-95. Both by Stirling Cooper. Tights by Mary Quant, 40p. Leather court shoes, from Samm, £11.99. Brown leather shoulder bag, from Bus Stop. £6.95. Leather gloves, from British Home Stores, £1-75. Pin brooch from a selection at Universal Witness. Bracelet from Corocraft, £1.25.

Live a Little

1970s, Adrian Mann, Bata, Boobs, Brian Downes, bus stop, Butler & Wilson, celia birtwell, corocraft, Crocodile, Dickins and Jones, Fenwick, gillian richard, Inspirational Images, lee bender, ossie clark, quorum, Sacha, Therèse, Titfers, Upwest, Vintage Editorials

LEFT: Long flowing marocaine wrapover dress with frilled cap sleeves, Radley for Ossie Clark, £15, from Quorum, 113 King’s Road, SW3. Swallow brooch, Adrien Mann, approx £2; antique satin clutch bag with rhinestone star, Titfers, approx £8. RIGHT: Keyhole-fronted crêpe button-through party dress with Chinese word pattern, £12.95, from all branches of Bus Stop, mail order 20p extra from 3 Kensington Church Street, W8. Sequined skull cap, Crocodile, £4; antique powder compact, Butler & Wilson, £4-75.

Short, shiny waves, tight to the head and crowned in a slippery sequin beret add the ritzy touch to oyster satins and champagne silks—daring dresses, glamorous enough for anybody’s Rolls.

Brunette model is Therèse.

Photographed by Brian Downes.

Scanned from Honey, December 1971.

LEFT: Poppy printed black dress, Ossie Clark for Quorum, £16.25. Sheer natural tights, Elle, 45p; high-heeled suede peep-toe shoes, Bata, £6; round beaded evening bag, Butler & Wilson, £8.75; diamante hairslide, Adrien Mann, approx £1.25; diamante stranded necklace, Adrien Mann, £4-50. RIGHT: Daring slash-necked green pineapple printed marocaine dress, Ossie Clark for Radley, £16, from Quorum, 113 King’s Road, SW3. Luxurious white feather boa, Dickins & Jones, £7.60; multi-coloured sequined cap, Crocodile, £4; pale green tights, Elle, 45p; suede peep-toe shoes with bows attached, Sacha, £5.99; diamante rings from a selection by Adrien Mann.

LEFT: Slippery black rayon satin dress with scarlet rose print and plain scarlet bolero, Gillian Richard, £11.60. Jet black sequined cap, Crocodile, £4; black fabric gloves, Fenwicks, £1.30; simple diamante choker, Adrien Mann, approx £1.50; tiny square powder compact from a selection by Butler & Wilson; diamante and pearl brooch and diamante rings from a selection by Corocraft. RIGHT: Ritzy plunge-neck black and multi-coloured satin party dress with black velvet bolero, £12.50, from Boobs, 1 A Chapel Market, N1. Diamante drop ear-rings, Corocraft, approx £2.50.

LEFT: Slithery rayon and satin flower embossed dress and bolero, Gillian Richard, £10, from Way In, Hans Crescent, SW1, mail order 20p extra. Glass and diamante choker, Adrien Mann, approx. £1.50; real silver zig-zag and wavy bangles, John Plenderleith, £8.50 each; suede and snakeskin peep-toe shoes, Upwest, £10.95. RIGHT: Flowery fluted long printed satin skirt, £7.50, waistcoat-jacket, £7.50, and slashed-neck button through satin blouse, £5.95, from all branches of Bus Stop, mail order 20p extra from 3 Kensington Church Street, W8. Diamante drop ear-rings, £2, diamante sailing ship brooch, approx £2, both by Adrien Mann; black suede shoes with mauve diamond pattern, Bata, £4.49; beaded evening bag, Butler & Wilson, £12.50.

Because it’s Christmas (part III)

1970s, chelsea cobbler, clobber, Feathers, Frank Horvat, George Malyard, Inspirational Images, jeff banks, kensington market, Malyard, Therèse, Titfers, vanity fair, Vivvy

Model is Therèse.

Photographed by Frank Horvat.

Scanned from Vanity Fair, December 1970.

Velvet in various guises tunic, Clobber; trousers and suede belt, Feathers; hat, Malyard; lace-up boots, Chelsea Cobbler; neckband, Vivvy at Kensington Antique Market.

Because it’s Christmas (part II)

1970s, biba, Feathers, Frank Horvat, Inspirational Images, Jaeger, janice wainwright, polly peck, simon massey, The Purple Shop, vanity fair, Vintage Editorials

Crushed velvet again, sliced into a clean Seventies shape, narrow and knickerbockered but with lace-ruffled sleeves for the right touch of contrary nostalgia. By Polly Peck. Bugle-bead embroidered butterflies on brocade choker from The Purple Shop, Chelsea Antique Market. Child’s midi culotte dress by Just Jon.

Because it’s Christmas. Give yourself time. Time for you and those you love. Time to remember a neglected relative with a telephone call, a lonely neighbour with a visit more meaningful than the automatic instant greeting card. Time too, to think of perfect strangers in other countries, struggling against hardships we can barely imagine. Could be this is the time when a donation to one of those organisations which try to help is truly the spirit of Christmas, A spontaneous flowing of compassion and care from the unknown to the unknown.

Photographed by Frank Horvat.

Scanned from Vanity Fair, December 1970.

Velvet, crushed for texture, so right in brown, turned into a curvy gaucho suit by Janice Wainwright for Simon Massey. Perfect, amusing accessory— Biba’s boa from, of course, turkey feathers!

Long, serene, thoughtful dress by Young Jaeger in chestnut and purple printed panne velvet. Wide, full sleeves collected tightly at the wrist, soft, graceful skirt belted at the waist with a wide brown suede appliqued belt from Feathers.

Because it’s Christmas

1970s, baccarat, biba, bill gibb, Frank Horvat, Inspirational Images, The Purple Shop, vanity fair, Vintage Editorials

The kind of dress that might have got you Henry VIII — if you had wanted him. Tapestry tunic over a long skirt ; beautiful, low-necked blouse in silk. By Bill Gibb for Baccarat.

Because it’s Christmas. You’re going to forget, for once all the dreary practicalities of life. You’ll have no connection with the girl in the bus queue, wet winter mornings, tiresome clients, ceaseless telephone battles, budgets & diets, mortages and shopping. You’re going to experience the womanly spelndour of long, sumptuous gowns, shaped from luxurious stuffs – rich brocades, painstaking tapestries, beautiful braids; the whole piled into pattern on pattern so that the woman we know we could become emerges from grubby little Cinderella with a nonchalant elegance – relaxed, seemingly pampered and so obviously desreving a custom-made Prince Charming.

And because it’s Vanity Fair, it’s quite a long and endearingly meandering editorial on a loose theme which I will divide into a few different parts. Today, the glorious work of Bill Gibb for Baccarat, photographed so exquisitely I want to live in these images.

Photographed by Frank Horvat.

Scanned from Vanity Fair, December 1970.

Mediaeval splendour in a long tapestry coat, richly panelled in hamster, over a tapestry skirt and silk blouse. Rings, Purple Shop, Chelsea Antique Market ; Biba cameo.

The leisured life – something you can try out at Christmas, no matter how much organisation goes into it, epitomised by the slash-sleeved, printed panne velvet tunic over a ruffle-necked, ruffle-wristed blouse in festive red and green print. Bill Gibb for Baccarat.

Invitation to a party

19 magazine, 1970s, Adrian Mann, alistair cowin, Ann Reeves, Baggage and General, Bombacha, cornucopia, Derber, Dolcis, Graham Hughes, Hardwear Clothing, Jasper, johnson and johnson, lloyd johnson, marc o'polo, moss bros, Russell & Bromley, Sacha, Sex, stirling cooper, strawberry studio, Swanky Modes, Taramina, terry de havilland, Vintage Editorials, vivienne westwood, wallis

Top, £6.90. Matching skirt, £15. Both by Alistair Cowin. Tights by Mary Quant, 50p. Shoes by Sacha, £12-99. Bangles by Sabina at Rama Unit, from 75p. Ear-rings by Swanky Modes, from 75p. / Shirt by Marc O’Polo, £7. Suit by Hardwear Clothing, £50. Shoes by Dolcis, £18.95. / Dress, £15-95. Top, £11.95. Trousers, £9.95. All by Stirling Cooper. Tights by Mary Quant, 50p. Suede shoes, by Terry de Havilland at Derber, £19-95. Black bead necklace, from Baggage And General, from 35p. Other jewellery by Adrien Mann, from £1. / Dress by Ann Reeves, £12.95. Tights by Mary Quant, 50p. Suede shoes, by Terry de Havilland at Derber, £19.95. Blue crystal necklace, from Bombacha, from £1. Other jewellery by Adrien Mann, from £1. / Dress by Strawberry Studio, £22. Tights by Mary Quant, 50p. Shoes by Russell And Bromley, £13.99. Gloves from Bombacha, £1. Jewellery by Adrien Mann, from £1. / Shirt by Marc O’Polo, £8.50. Trousers by Stirling Cooper Jasper, £12.50. Jacket by Hardwear Clothing, £36. Shoes by Dolcis, £18.95.

Be the star of the office party, look chic for cocktails or choose from the ‘Fifties, ‘Sixties and ‘Seventies to stun everyone around. We’ve picked lots of exciting clothes for you to wear at whatever Christmas festivities you are invited to. Go on — take our advice — make a dramatic entrance.

Hair by Carol at Molton Brown.

Photographed by Graham Hughes

Scanned from 19 Magazine, December 1975.

Black and green sparkly dress, by Strawberry Studio, £19.95. Tights by Mary Quant, 50p. Strappy shoes, by Dolcis, £6.99. Lurex scarf, from Woolworth, 50p. Jewellery by Adrien Mann, from £1. / Shirt, £5.50. Check suit, £55. Tie, £1. Shoes, £15. All from Sex. / Shot silk tie top, £9.95. Net petticoat skirt, £9.95. Both by Strawberry Studio. Tights by Mary Quant, 50p. Suede shoes, by Terry de Havilland at Derber, £19.95. Pink scarf, from Woolworth, Pink necklace, from £2. Brooch, from 75p. Both by Swanky Modes. Other jewellery by Adrien Mann, from £1. / Green lace cheong san, by Bombacha, £50. Tights by Mary Quant, 50p. Shoes by Terry de Havilland at Derber £19.95. Gloves Bombacha, £10. Bangles by Sabina at Rama Unit from 75p. Earrings by Adrien Mann from £1. / Strapless dress with stole, by Swanky Modes, £21.60. Tights by Mary Quant 50p. Shoes by Saxone, £7.99. Jewellery by Adrien Mann from £1. / Leatherette and jersey sweater £5.95. Black trousers, £4.95. Both from Johnson and Johnson. Winkle-picker shoes, from Sex, £12.95. Red rose from Johnson and Johnson, 50p.

Black strapless dress by Strawberry Studio £18-95. Tights by Mary Quant, 40p. Black shoes by Sacha, £12.99. Diamante jewellery and silver belt by Adrien Mann £1. / Black dress, with thin straps and feather trim, by Strawberry Studio, £18.95. Tights by Mary Quant, 40p. Black shoes, by Sacha, £12.99. Jewellery by Adrien Mann from £1. / Black dress with lace top and one lace sleeve, to order from Taramina, £25. Tights by Mary Quant, 40p. Shoes by Terry de Havilland at Derber, £19.95. Diamante bag, from £1, from Bombacha, from £5. Jewellery by Adrien Mann, from £1. Sequin cap, from Cornucopia, £8. / Jersey top, with net yoke and black leaf motif, and matching skirt, by Wallis, £19.95. Black tights by Mary Quant, 40p. Net gloves, from Bombacha, from £1. Jewellery and belt by Adrien Mann, from £1. / Men’s clothes from One Up Hire Department at Moss Bros.

Jenny Agutter wears the smocks

1970s, Bombacha, chelsea cobbler, dorothee bis, Elle, Jaeger, jean varon, Jenny Agutter, john bates, norman parkinson, The Purple Shop

Cream Borg fake fur caftan with a square yoke and cuffs in white-stitched navy wet look plastic. By John Bates at Jean Varon, £56.95. Fine knitted triangular shawl wound round the head, £8; fine silk, fringed scarf used as dog’s lead, £4. Both from a range at Bombacha. Ankle boots,. £16.99, Richard Smith at The Chelsea Cobbler.

Assured in films since playing Roberta in The Railway Children, Jenny Agutter “has been in the theatre since the beginning of the year, lately in The Tempest, opposite Sir John Gielgud and Spring Awakening at the National Theatre.

Photographed at Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, by kind permission of Major and The Honourable Mrs Hervey – Bathurst.

Photographed by Norman Parkinson.

Scanned from Vogue, December 1974.

Violet wool smock to mid calf, flaring and gathered from X. a round yoke, cuffs and hem finished with narrow black braid. By Dorothee Bis, £34.50, at branches of Elle. Tartan muffler in red and green, scarf sold with matching skirt not shown, £35 together, at main branches of Jaeger. Multi-coloured beads, from range, The Purple Shop.

That old black magic

1970s, alice pollock, alistair cowin, biba, Buckle Under, bus stop, celia birtwell, christian dior, christopher mcdonnell, corocraft, Dolcis, edward mann, Elgee, Elle, Fenwick, flair magazine, George Malyard, gillian richard, Herbert Johnson, Hiroshi, Inspirational Images, janice wainwright, jean muir, John Craig, kangol, Ken Lane, lee bender, leonard, lilley and skinner, Malyard, Marks and Spencer, marrian mcdonnell, mary quant, Miss Impact, ossie clark, quorum, Russell & Bromley, Sheraton, simon massey, stirling cooper, Vintage Editorials, yves saint laurent

The witching hour—smock shirt dress, white birds flying on yards and yards of transparent black georgette, Alice Pollock for Quorum, £36.75. In her hair, crescent moon £3, and a flash of lightning slide £5.25. Both from the House of Leonard.

Black, the old enchanter. Bewitching, mysterious, romantic. In velvet, satin and soft silk jersey. Dramatic alone or shouting with colour. That timeless black magic still weaves its ancient spell.

Hair by Leonard.

Photographed by Hiroshi.

Scanned from Flair, November 1971.