I think it was the spring of 1979 and I had turned ten years old just four months prior. It was that rite of passage time known as Easter clothes shopping. While my brother groaned with displeasure, I was ecstatic because I knew exactly what I wanted!

Even though, we were in the last year of the decade, the disco craze was still going strong. The TV show, Dance Fever (yes, with Deney Terrio, the man who taught John Travolta all his moves in Saturday Night Fever) had just started and was one of my requested shows to watch for family viewing (along with The Hardy Boys, Donny & Marie, and Mork & Mindy). Enthralled with the costumes and dance moves, I wanted to be one half of a dynamic dancing duo. Oh, to be twirled, spun, lifted, shimmied, booty-bumped and hustled right into the Grand Prix Finals!!! Plus if Leif Garrett or Shaun Cassidy just happened to be that week’s guest performer…well, bonus points for me!!

Now, where was I? Oh, yeah…Easter outfit shopping. I don’t remember the actual shopping experience but I do remember being very specific in my request for a dress. I wanted it to be disco style.

What is disco style, you ask?? Some of you may remember, for others it may be before your time. If I could quote Diana Mankowski’s article “That’s The Way They Liked it: Disco Fashion on http://www.ultimatehistoryproject.com/disco-fashion.html: “Flirty, feminine, swirly skirts and wrap dresses in cuts and fabrics that flowed with the dancer’s movements and shimmered under the disco lights were very popular looks for women as were blouses and pants worn billowy, flared, or skin-tight. ” In a word, it was sexy. Thinking about it now, I can just imagine what was going through my mother’s mind in trying to fulfill her young daughter’s request, especially since it was for a dress to be worn to church Easter morning.

I’m not sure how long we shopped but my mother was able to find a shirt and skirt combo that appeased her sensibility, still preserved her daughter’s modesty, and made said daughter happy. I was thrilled with the choice that had flowy fabric, pretty lace on the short butterfly sleeves, and a faux wrap skirt with a ruffled hem. This dress purchase also included sandals with a 2 inch platform sole. My first heels!! I felt so grown up and looked forward to Easter Sunday with as much excitement as Christmas morning that year.

I also think I was wearing my first training bra……but that’s a whole other blog post.