Wednesday, September 10, 2008

My Style Icons: The Funny Ladies of the 70's and 80's

Who were your style influences and childhood icons, the women you admired and wanted to emulate growing up? Reminiscing about this can really tell you a lot about yourself, about what you appreciate in humanity. I started thinking about this question a few days ago, and I had a truly interesting realization: most of the women I admired and loved growing up were funny women! I think I can credit my mother with this fact -- she always told me that beyond a good heart and intelligence, a great sense of humor is one of the most essential characteristics to look for in others and cultivate in yourself.

So, looking back...far back (yes, I'm old)...I remember loving these women for their irreverence, their silliness, their quirky style, and their beautiful smiles:

Madeline Kahn: she is hysterical in Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and Clue.



Yes, Candice Bergen was a model, but she was also a favorite guest host on Saturday Night Live and she never took herself too seriously!



The ladies from the original 75-76 cast of SNL -- (from L to R): Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, and Gilda Radner.


Adorable, frizzy Gilda Radner...


Bernadatte Peters, so gorgeous and funny in The Jerk.



10 comments:

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...

Style icons are always so inspiring... Mine right now is Blake Lively with a mix of Catherine Zeta Jones conservatism :P

Anonymous said...

Hi! Thanks for the lovely comment on my blog, I'd love to do a link exchange :D

And thank you for posting your inspirations - I hadn't heard of a few of these lovely ladies but they look gorgeous!

Mine have always been from the 60s - Cathy McGowan is my ultimate style icon, and Penelope Tree. But I am partial to a bit of Elaine from Seinfeld hehe and various female musicians :D

ant said...

I wanted to be a journalist for a while because of Murphy Brown, ie Candace Bergen. I was an excessively serious kid. I love all your funny ladies now though.

Sharon S said...

I remember Candace too, so stunning!!

Anonymous said...

I almost didn't recognize Candace Bergen! And I love Bernadatte Peters!

Anonymous said...

Bernadette Peters looks so cool, she reminds me of those silent film stars.

Sara M. said...

Yes! I LOVE Madeline Kahn and Gilda Radner. Two of my favorite women, and proof that gorgeous and hilarious aren't mutually exclusive.

Couture Carrie said...

Fabulous inspiration!
I feel a real nostalgia for that era as well; perhaps that is why I am so drawn to the costumes in the show Swingtown, which is set in 1976 . . .

xoxox,
CC

Anonymous said...

I like Joan Cusack!

WendyB said...

I had Madeline Kahn's "Tired" song from Blazing Saddles stuck in my head for DAYS recently. I love it when she slips into something "more comfortable" and comes out in that showgirl outfit.