Mile-High Fashion
Braniff Airlines had the best stewardess uniforms. This was back when flight attendants were in the same league as models and faced a weekly weigh-in by their employer. Many of the uniforms were worn with bloomers because of the micro-mini skirts — I imagine there were a lot of napkins dropped in the aisle if you get my drift. Designers included Emilio Pucci (he of the swirly psychedelic mega-prints) and Halston (he of the sexy-chic and the column dresses and the disco).
Looking for some object lust? Here’s an eBay auction lot featuring 90 pieces from Braniff Airlines uniforms designed by Pucci & Halston. The listing says that the collection was amassed by a 20-year Braniff employee. It includes the space helmet! I’ve never wanted anything that cost $250,000. Except maybe a check for $250,000.
Jezebel created a quiz to match the stewardess uniform to the airline from the photos of a private collector. There’s not a Braniff in the bunch.