I grew up watching reruns of 1950 to early 70s sitcoms but I Love Lucy and Bewitched were my faves. When I watch them now though, what I pay most attention to are the women's clothes and accessories which I'd really never noticed before. All I ever did was laugh at Lucy's antics, I just wasn't old enough to care about what she was wearing.
It's not that I didn't love beautiful dresses, I was in awe of the period costumes in blockbuster films like Gone With the Wind and My Fair Lady but I was definitely too young to appreciate the understated elegance of Katherine Hepburn's Adrian designed gowns in The Philadelphia Story. I understood Hollywood glamor and fashion but never gave much thought to what the TV stars were wearing.
It's not that I didn't love beautiful dresses, I was in awe of the period costumes in blockbuster films like Gone With the Wind and My Fair Lady but I was definitely too young to appreciate the understated elegance of Katherine Hepburn's Adrian designed gowns in The Philadelphia Story. I understood Hollywood glamor and fashion but never gave much thought to what the TV stars were wearing. 
Now as a kid, nothing was funnier than seeing Lucy's nose catch on fire when she met William Holden but today I notice so much more than Lucille Ball's genius for comedy. She possessed a keen sense for fashion as did other television women we don't generally regard as the fashion mavens of the day. Representing all females, Lucy would offer up her soul for a designer dress. There's a Don Loper Hollywood episode in which she buys a $500 dress to be in a celebrity wives fashion show. She gets a terrible sunburn before the show but still appears in order to get her dress for free or else face Ricky. 
I watched it again a while ago and swooned over those magnificent Loper creations worn by the Hollywood wives. Can you imagine, $500 in 1955? FYI: That would be over $4000 today! Lucille Ball was very fashion aware with the figure to carry it off and personally approved everything she wore. On the design sketches from each show it was usual to find the initials LB next to an OK.
I think my favorite fashion mad episode of I Love Lucy is the one where they're in Paris and Lucy and Ethel each want a designer dress. Ricky and Fred play pranksters and make dresses for them out of potato sacks with bucket hats and the girls wear them believing they are truly haute couture. The next day, embarrassed after the men confess at a cafe, they're all stunned when they see chic French women wearing exact copies of the dresses. Well, that's a woman for you or as Ricky would say while shaking his head, "Iyayayayah!".
Another woman who acted out her antics in style was Agnes Moorehead, Samantha's meddling mother on Bewitched. I recently saw one of the episodes from the earlier B&W seasons about Endora meeting Samantha's in-laws for the first time. Why is it I only remember her in that flowing green and purple gown with the pointed collar? Yet here she showed up for dinner in an unbelievable two piece ensemble with leopard trim. Her next outfit was a sleek cocktail dress with matching bolero jacket and hat. In another episode she impersonated Samantha and every few minutes appeared in a new sensational dress. She was frequently out of her witch robes in fact and somehow I never noticed her stylish Kelly bags, gloves, hats, shoes and fantastic jewelry. How women must have drooled over her wardrobe in the 1960s! Now honestly, do you remember Endora in any of these outfits?
When I watch the classics now I pay attention. Undoubtedly, movies have always had the greatest impact on fashions so watching closely helps me to date styles. I especially love the the 1930s, the era that forever changed the fashion world. The houses of Chanel, Vionnet and Schiaparelli led the charge with their vastly opposing styles but it was the Hollywood starlets who brought their creations to the public.
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| 1933 Dinner at Eight Gown by Adrian |
It's not surprising both sitcoms are still running and continue to draw new generations of fans from around the world. After all, they're based on hard truths that transcend nationality and income - wives love to scheme and mother-in-laws love to butt in. These women sure did it in style though! And though I've enjoyed several tv shows over the years, I have to say, I Love Lucy is the only one I can watch over and over. I think I laugh even more in anticipation and when I hear the theme song I'm suddenly back in our late-70s living room sitting in front of the tv set on a floral green carpet. Thank you Lucy!
