I can’t lie. Miss Dottie and I are straight up pop culture junkies. And nothing makes us happier than reminiscing about our favorite TV shows we watched as kids. The other day we were talking and we realized how much of our vintage clothing sensibilities were influenced by some of the cool kids we saw on 70s television. Sooooo, we thought it would be fun to take a cruise down Nostalgia Lane and take a peek at some of the most stylish vintage kiddos out there! These handsomely clad children were chosen by a very scientific process known as the Modern Kiddo Retro Diagnostic. It’s a unique three step process, which I am happy to share with you for the very first time. It goes something like this.
STEP ONE: Research
ALIX: Oh my god, do you remember that kid from Sigmund the Sea Monster?
STEP TWO: Analysis
DOTTIE: OH MY GOD I LOVED THAT KID! He had those crazy plaid pants!!
STEP THREE: Implimentation
ALIX: Dude! Let’s totally put him on the list!!!!
See? A verrrrry scientific process.
Well let’s get to it, friends! Presenting, The First Annual Modern Kiddo Best Dressed Kids of Classic Television.
1. THE ADAM’S FAMILY // WEDNESDAY ADAMS
ALIX: Long before Emily the Strange was a glimmer in yer eyeliner-rimmed goth eye, there was Wednesday Adams. She might have lived in a musty Gray Gardens-fab mansion, but man did this girl know the power of the Little Black Dress early on. Of course, she did have a fabulous fashion muse of a mama, Morticia!
DOTTIE: Absolutely! Where would all of those young goth girls crib their style from, if it weren’t for little Miss Wednesday? I do love that she softens it with a peter pan collar and crisp white cuffs. Now if only she could find a more charming accessory than a headless doll…
ALIX: Let’s not forget about Pugsley, either. He usually wore the requisite stripy shirt, but I am loving his Gomez Lite look—complete with ‘stash!
2. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW // OPIE
ALIX: Awwww, OPIE! Honestly, this little feller is thee quintessential vintage boy. From his awesome plaid button up shirts and cutie tees to his little cuffed jeans, this freckle-faced cutie is tops! Wolfie is very “Opie-inspired” in his dress.
DOTTIE: I couldn’t agree more. And of course, he was the original purveyor of the stripey shirt…a look we’re gonna see a few more times today. Who knew that Ron Howard would be such a trend setter?? Oh, and you’re so right. Look at him working that cuffed jean! Go on with your bad self, Opie!
3. THE ANDY WILLIAM’S SHOW // THE OSMOND BROTHERS
ALIX: Helllo….helllo….helllllllo…..HELLLLLO! [that’s me typing in four part harmony] OK, I admit it. I was OBSESSED with The Donny & Marie Show. I loved the outfits, the music and I thought Marie and her big ol shiny teeth were amazing!! Alas, they are too old to make the list. So we turn to their snappy brothers! Technically their big brothers, these little gents wore some mighty dapper duds when they were little ones!
DOTTIE: I must say that my obsession with my Marie doll was twice that of Barbie or Blythe. What can I say! I’m a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. But true—the original Osmond boys were charming and well dressed enough.
ALIX: Total aside, I am with ya on the doll business. I wanted a Donny & Marie doll SO badly but my mom would only let me get one. I convinced my cousin that she really wanted the Donny doll, and then I would get Marie. Of course my poor cousin had no interest in a boy doll in a purple jump suit, so I was more than happy to relieve her of him so he could sing in blissful harmony with my Marieeeeeee! I still have them.
4. FAMILY AFFAIR // BUFFY & JODY
DOTTIE: Family Affair was a totally great show that ran in the late 60s. Rich Uncle Bill somehow ended up raising his brother’s kids—Cissy and twins Buffy & Jody—in his luxurious New York apartment. I think I can trace my love of redheads to that charmer Jody. Look at him up there, giving Mrs. Beasley the stink-eye! What a well dressed scamp! And that little Buffy, what a doll!
ALIX: Speaking of dolls (hyuck, hyuck) Buffy had a creepily fabulous, polka dot wearing “granny doll” named Mrs. Beasley. It was so awesomely random. The kicker, however, was Mr. French, the bearded “traditional English gentleman” who was inexplicably living with them. He’s the gent on the right with the umbrella. And a bowler hat that I kind of cut out. Sorry—I had to choose between the bowler or Buffy’s shoes. Everyone on the show had fab style, but today we’re talkin’ Buffy and Jody.
DOTTIE: Where oh where to begin? The perfect patent leather mary janes or the genius dress?
ALIX: I personally love that she’s workin’ the pocket square! This young girl was ahead of her time. So unusual to see on a little lady! Almost as unusual as that wrought iron thing-a-majiggy she’s standing in. What the heck is that anyway??
DOTTIE: I have no clue. But did here’s a cool tidbit. Supposedly Cindy from the Brady Bunch based her hair on Buffy fab ‘do—like you could blame her—those ringlets are fantastic!
ALIX: I have to say as a little girl I was really confused by a little boy named Jody. BUT he’s got some crazy style—cribbed, I’m sure, from the fantastic Mr. French. Oh! And don’t forget that Jody would go on to rock our world with his casual, “I’m just chillin’ with a walking/talking seaweed guy” attitude on Sigmund the Seamonster:
5. THE BRADY BUNCH // BOBBY & CINDY BRADY
ALIX: “It’s a story….of a stylish family!” From 1969 -1974, these six rockin’ kiddos made us smile. But today we’ve got our spotlight on the two youngest Brady’s: Bobby and Cindy. Look at Bobby rockin’ the plaid pants!
DOTTIE: And with a patterned shirt, to boot!
ALIX: The Brady Boy’s wardrobe was such a great era in fashion. SO colorful and cool. But lets be honest. It was all about the girls. And not just Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. Little Cindy had the best outfits.
DOTTIE: I must admit, I was OBSESSED with Cindy growing up. In fact I made my mother refer to me as Cindy. There was this one episode when she showed up in lace up white boots and I nearly dropped my rocket popsicle, I was so in awe of her!
ALIX: For me it was all about THE HAIR. “The youngest one in curls……” I so coveted those pigtails!!
6. H.R. PUFNSTUF // JIMMY
DOTTIE: I think we can sum this one up in two words….PUFFY SHIRT.
ALIX: I think I would say this guy is Vest Dressed!
DOTTIE: Oh ho! And doesn’t he kinda look a bit like a young Christina Ricci in this next shot?? Also, is it just me or does he seems pretty handy with that flute?? Errr… ok. Let’s just say Freud would have a field day with this one.
ALIX: Cindy, I’m speechless.
7. THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY // DANNY, TRACY and CHRIS
ALIX: OK. Nothing says FUN like a full on, family band! Sure they wore matching get ups (in velveteen no less!) when performing, but off duty? They were incredibly stylish. Little Tracy and her mary janes? I think I looooove you!
DOTTIE: Could we talk about the awesomeness of the big yarn hair bows? That look needs to come back STAT! And I kinda want that yellow tights/turtleneck denim jumper combo for myself.
ALIX: Shout out to manager Ruben Kincaid in his velveteen artist smock!
Alix: I love that Tracy wasn’t just girlie girl. She’s got the little sneaks and jeans combo down!
DOTTIE: Um, I’m sorry, is Mrs. Partridge wearing granny boots?? I die!
Alix: Focus, Miss Dottie! This is about the kiddos! Quick, take a look below at Tracy’s red, white and blue SKORT to center yourself!
DOTTIE: Right, right….OK, whew. I’m back on track!
8. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE // LAURA INGALLS & NELLIE OLSEN
DOTTIE: Oooh this was one of my all time favorites! Calico goodness! Aprons! A legion of girls were sportin’ their Gunne Sax prairie dresses and granny boots in a stylish homage to this brilliant show! I know you agree with me on this one, right??
ALIX: Um. So I have a confession. I never really watched this show much.
DOTTIE: [GASP!]
ALIX: I know, I know! BUT the one person who I DO remember? Nellie Olsen.
DOTTIE: Pardon me while I get back into the chair I just fell out of. OK. You are somewhat redeemed. I totally liked Nellie so much more just for her fabulous wardrobe!
ALIX:Â Yeah, why do all the mean girls get the best clothes? Nellie was always stylin’.
DOTTIE: I think I can summarize her fabulousness in two words: HAIR BOWS. Note to self: go as Nellie for Halloween…
9. PBS Â ZOOM// THE ZOOM KIDS
ALIX: We’re gonna Zoom Zoom Zooma ZOOM! Please tell me you used to do that cool hand trick that Bernadette did!
DOTTIE: Please tell me you know how to say “that striped rugby shirt is brilliant” in hubbi dubbi talk!!
ALIX & DOTTIE: “Write ZOOM, Z-Double-O-M, Box 3-5-0, Boston, Mass 0-2-1-3-4: send it to ZOOM!”
10. SONNY & CHER SHOW // CHASTITY BONO
ALIX: Last but not least….one of my all time childhood favorites. Chastity Bono. I remember watching the Sonny & Cher Variety show with awe. Cher’s glittering costumes and flowing silky hair had me wide-eyed. At the end of every show she and Sonny would sing, “I Got You Babe,” which was one of my favorite songs. And little Chastity would come tottering out—usually in a really cool outfit that coordinated with her mom. I thought she was the most glamorous kid EVER.
DOTTIE: Wow. So much fashion fabulousness.
ALIX: Are we really going to ignore that clown back there?
DOTTIE: I think we must.
ALIX: Oh ho ho! Someone is workin’ the Nelly Olsen here!
DOTTIE: Don’t even try and name drop Prairie just to get back in my good graces, you sly thing!
ALIX: Hee. OK, well can I just say I’m partial to this sassy houndstooth goodness with the red accents? I love it!
DOTTIE: Of course we all know how this story ends. I’m not really sure what Chaz thinks of these funky ensembles, but I kinda hope he has fond memories of them! We sure do.
ALIX: So that’s it folks. That was too much fun, huh!
DOTTIE: Agreed! I think we had some smashing picks in the mix. But is there anyone we forgot? Hmmm.
PS: Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know! I have a feeling we’ll be writing about this again…
