CQ Discovers: Retro airline uniforms

Glamorous, adventurous, well-groomed and super-friendly that's how I always saw air hostesses. For the ignorant among us they were simply glorified waitresses but to me they signalled a thrilling way to see the world. Had it not been for the tiny fact that I was determined to be a writer then I might have been one of those so-called "glorified waitresses" right now; showing you where the exit doors are located. Serving the public, especially in the sky, is not an easy or particularly glamorous job, however the manner in which flight attendants always manage to keep themselves looking immaculate still fascinates me to this day. So in honor of air hosties everywhere I have compiled this retrospective of airline uniforms because just as Candice Bergen says in the film View from the Top "we [flight attendants] learn to always keep smiling, even when we're out of Bloody Mary mix".

If they could bring back any retro flight attendant uniforms then it would have to be one of the three above. How fantastic are they? The first uniform was originally worn by air hosties working for KLM Dutch airlines, the oldest airline in the history of aviation (or so Wikipedia tells me). I love the straight lines and bright colour.

The second uniform was worn in the late '60s by United Airlines staff and is similar to the one Gwyneth Paltrow dons in View from the Top. It's mod-influenced and not that dissimilar to Jovovich-Hawk's 'mini Iggy' dress as recently seen on Victoria Beckham.

Finally, Pan Am's 1970s uniform took on a trend which most airlines followed for many years after - the skirt suit with neck scarf combo. Along with some fabulous retro hostie clothing, it's no secret that there is also some pretty hideous shoulder-pad type uniforms that have crossed the globe at one time or another. For example Qantas have had some spectacular fashion disasters in their long history. It almost makes me ashamed to be an Australian!

For more travel news check out Lost Weekend - our new travel blog for blokes. There's a competition to win an all-expenses trip to L.A. to watch David Beckham play his first game for L.A. Galaxy!

[Images: courtesy of Cliff Muskiet and Uniformfreak.com]

Want to watch Aigua Fashion TV? Click here for the latest videos

Came straight to this page? Visit www.catwalkqueen.tv for loads more stories!

Posted by Kimberley Foster on May 23, 2007 4:11 PM in CQ Discovers| Vintage clothes
Permalink | Comments (3) | digg this | del.icio.us this | Stumble It!

Comments

The comments to this entry are closed.