Anyhow, I own every single Lucy episode, including the long-lost pilot, courtesy of said husband, and I have seen them all innumerable times. I performed "Vitametavegamin" in a theatre class in high school (and was questioned for my choice of "imitating a drunk"--an accusation that theatre teacher would learn to regret!!) and can still recite the words of the majority of the episodes. I truly love Lucy.
And growing up on it, I learned to appreciate the fashion sense of the show.
It took a few episodes for the writers to get into the swing of the plot-- the zany housewife of a Cuban band leader in post-WWII New York City has a hard time accepting the ordinary role of staying at home, and always wants to get into her husband's act. She loves shopping and glamour and struggles to reconcile with her middle class lifestyle. She is best friends with the older, frumpier wife of her landlord. They both get up to ridiculous adventures that often constitute elaborate and hysterical costumes. Now you have the background (which, in my ideal world, you would already know!), so without further ado, here are 8 things I learned from I Love Lucy fashion:
1. Simple can be sexy
Lucy rocked the 1950s look that we now identify as archetypal of the 1950s--but in the most conservative way. In a few episodes she dons stunning ballgowns, but usually in a character role/skit (within the show), an even then, nothing too revealing.
You more often find her in long skirts, button downs, capes, cute housedresses, and even trousers. And she simply ROCKS them. Her sexiness is in her long neck, slim ankles, the way she carries herself, her arced eyebrows, and her effortless but nonetheless engaging accessories (a sparkly hairpiece here, elaborate embroidery there, and that hair of course!).
2. Dress For The Occasion
This goes right along with Number 1-- Lucy doesn't try to be something she's not (well, besides her frequent attempts to get into Ricky's act)--she dresses the part.
This means being casual, comfortable, but nice-looking while at home, gorgeous and fancy but not overdone when she goes out, and, best of all, she always has a piece in the back of her closet appropriate for every situation!
When they move to the country, Lucy raises chickens and learns how to mow the lawn, but she doesn't stop wearing lipstick! She does begin to wear a lot more gingham, plaid, and generally pastoral outfits.
When in Europe, Lucy adapts her wardrobe to each apt (and hysterical) situation:
From left to right--
Lucy hiking in the Alps, at the Monte Carlo Casino, and making wine at an Italian vineyard.
See how each outfit is perfectly suited to the situation? Brilliance.
3. When in doubt, add a belt, bow, or lace.
Any of these add extra pizazz to an ordinary outfit. The belt can be around the waist or up high, and the bow or lace can be placed anywhere, including the hair.
Look at this sweet collar bow--
And this patterned one--
And lace touches below, left to right---
in the hair and on the dress, along the collar, and a lace overlay shirt with simple black skirt.
Lucy never hesitates to belt it. Belts allow you to emphasize your womanly curves and look put-together. They also keep your pants from flapping in the back as you plan your newest exploit!
4. Pearls, pearls, pearls !!!
Drop earrings, clusters, chokers, single strand, stud, flowers. All the female characters wear them well!
5. How to wear trousers
Fitted around the waist but not too tight elsewhere, with a crease and big pockets. Belted, naturally.
When women in the show wear pants, they look casual but still classy, with little touches to ensure that they appear put-together. The pants are always high-waisted (no low rise! Pants were made to go OVER your hips) and usually a dark color. Black looks best, especially with the cute little flats they style them with. Most important of all, blouses and shirts are tucked in, to emphasize your waist.
When women in the show wear pants, they look casual but still classy, with little touches to ensure that they appear put-together. The pants are always high-waisted (no low rise! Pants were made to go OVER your hips) and usually a dark color. Black looks best, especially with the cute little flats they style them with. Most important of all, blouses and shirts are tucked in, to emphasize your waist.
6. Always be prepared.
Lucy never knows what shenanigans she is going to get up to, or more importantly, what celebrity she may bump into. This means being at your best as much as you can! Having your hair styled, fingernails polished, and your face on. Remember the episode where her and Ethel get caught in curlers when they meet John Wayne?? Lucy tries to cover her curlers by yanking her purse over her head.
Lucy never knows what shenanigans she is going to get up to, or more importantly, what celebrity she may bump into. This means being at your best as much as you can! Having your hair styled, fingernails polished, and your face on. Remember the episode where her and Ethel get caught in curlers when they meet John Wayne?? Lucy tries to cover her curlers by yanking her purse over her head.
She doesn't lounge around in her pajamas all day--she gets dressed and does her hair and makeup and is always ready to go. This is good advice for all of us!
7. Speaking of makeup....
Lucy was the queen of Highlighting and Contouring. She did it to emphasize the angles of her face on television, but it soon became part of her normal routine because it was so flattering--it literally gave her no bad angles in photographs.
Also, many women would shy away from a bright lipstick if they had hair as bright as hers, but she used it to complement her coloring! And those eyes!! Lucy was all about the big, exaggerated expressions, so she wore false lashes and plenty of mascara, and high arched brows to frame them.
Also, many women would shy away from a bright lipstick if they had hair as bright as hers, but she used it to complement her coloring! And those eyes!! Lucy was all about the big, exaggerated expressions, so she wore false lashes and plenty of mascara, and high arched brows to frame them.
So remember-- highlight and contour (especially those cheekbones), defined eyebrows, heavy on the eyes and lips!
8. Casual is cool !
Because she spends most of her days around the apartment (or the house, in later seasons), Lucy is relaxed much of the time. But she still looks cute--and efficient! here are some casual little touches that I love that she styles, from left to right:
Because she spends most of her days around the apartment (or the house, in later seasons), Lucy is relaxed much of the time. But she still looks cute--and efficient! here are some casual little touches that I love that she styles, from left to right:
Thick framed glasses and a narrow tie!; A deep V neck with stripes underneath; The baseball T.
Even the most casual (the baseball T, for example) looks chic tucked in, with makeup and curls done, and a little bow in her hair.
In conclusion, here are some of my absolute favorite outfits from the series:
I couldn't find the Scandinavian-ish heavy sweater she wears at the beginning of "Lucy Gets Chummy With the Neighbors" but it is a true favorite of mine and I find myself forever searching for my own version to wear with a button-down !!
So remember, keep is simple, classy, and with fun details, or you'll have some 'splainin to do !!!!!!!!!!!
