I'm NOT WEARING THEM! Nope, you will not catch me in a pair of bell bottoms - ever again! I did my time, I paid my dues to society, I spent the better part of 15 years wearing some form of bell bottom pants. From the paisley covered, torn hem wide waders of the late sixties to the sleeked down, slightly flared styles of the late 70s, I covered the gamut of bell bottoms.I had hip huggers that barely covered my butt and exposed my belly button, I had casual bell bottoms and formal bell bottoms for the night on the town. I even had bell bottoms on my blouse - big wide, flared sleeves that flapped in the breeze and made the sound of bat wings!
Bell bottom pants were originally the province of the navy - they were part of the uniform. Remember the little sailor on the cracker jack box? Yup, bell bottoms! How they snaked their way into my world of fashion I neither know nor care - I just refuse to give in them again. No way, no how, nuh uh!
Oh, and you can keep your platform shoes too - after 40 years my ankles are just now recovering from the damage caused by wearing those in the 70s!
I am no longer a slave to the dictates of the fashion world. I am, at 56, my own woman! Unfashionable, robed in baggy tees and jeans, wearing flip flops, comfortable and happy at last.
(The pants in the photo were worn by Janis Joplin)
