Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Imitation of Batman!!

I am always amazed by how wearable many of the fashions of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" tend to look. Though this Jay Scott Pike edition from Heart Throbs #111 (December 1966/January 1967) asks readers if they are "prepared to super-swing to the maddening pace of the sizzling sixties?" I would be more than happy to wear any of these ensembles in the 21st century!

It isn't every day that a romance comic
fashion spread evokes a superhero!

Thanks to all who have visited the Sequential Crush Facebook Fan Page and if you haven't yet, be sure to stop by and "Like!" We would love to have you! I am also on Twitter, if that is more your speed! I hope your week is off to a good start!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - College Chic

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend! To start the week off right, here's a fall back-to-school edition "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" from Girls' Love Stories #125 (February 1967). Sorta makes me want to go back to college myself!

♥♥♥

Quick announcement -- I have just created a fan page for Sequential Crush on Facebook! Please "Like" and spread the word! Hope to see you there!!!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - I'm Back!

"Mad Mad Modes for Moderns"
Girls Love Stories #141
(February 1969)

Hello! I'm back! Still recovering from the move and adjusting to my new home, but I have missed you all and discussing romance comics a ton -- so I am happy to get things back off the ground! Today I have for you a Jay Scott Pike illustrated "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" featuring the timeless midi-skirt! Though I am not the biggest fan of Pike's romance work, I do think he managed to lend an air of grace to the pages of the comics. What do you think about Pike's romance comic art? I am curious to know!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Swimsuit Season!

Another gorgeous Tony Abruzzo "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" -- this one is from Secret Hearts #122 (September 1967)!

The mod flower suit
is my favorite!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Hair Rollers!

Being a naturally curly girl, I have never had to fuss with hair rollers -- then again how many modern girls do? This "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" spread from Young Love #60 (March/April 1960) with art by Jay Scott Pike gives a few tutorials for some kicky 'dos!

Happy Monday!
Here's to a great week!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Fancy Time!

Click to enlarge!
Super fancy stylings from
Falling in Love #107
(May 1969)

I hope you are having a fantastic Monday!
Be sure to vote in the sidebar poll -- only one day left!
A story from the winning artist will be featured on Friday!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - The Scene is NOW! + New Poll

Here's to starting the week off right with a gorgeous edition of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" from Falling in Love #98 (April 1968) by Jay Scott Pike!


On another note, I would love to get some input from you fair reader! Please check out the sidebar for a new poll! I want to know -- which of the following artists would you like to see a story from at the end of the month?

♥ Tony Abruzzo ♥

♥ Ric Estrada ♥

♥ Creig Flessel ♥

♥ José Luis García-López ♥

♥ Frank Langford ♥

♥ John Romita ♥

You have until April 26th to vote!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - It's Coats, Coats, Coats for 1967!

It's another round of coats here at Sequential Crush with Young Love #150 (October/November 1967). These fine examples of outerwear (beautifully drawn by Tony Abruzzo) would make any modern girl giddy!

Happy Monday!

I have a giveaway planned
for the end of this week, so stay tuned!!!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Winter Coats from Around the Globe!

Many romance comic book stories featured the ups and downs of sun-kissed beach bunnies -- very refreshing to see these bundled beauties in Secret Hearts #117 (January 1967) don't ya think?!

Master of fashion illustration
Tony Abruzzo strikes again!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Keepin' Warm and Groovy in Knits!

Knits were very popular in the '60s and '70s, as evidenced by this edition of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" from Girls' Romances #130 (January 1968) by Jay Scott Pike and this later fashion spread from Seventeen magazine from February 1970. As a knitter myself (not a very good one mind you), I would love to find the time and know-how to recreate one of Pike's illustrations!

Well friends -- big changes are on the horizon for this lady blogger, so this may be the last post for a little while. My boyfriend, Justin has been hired by LEGO® and he will be moving to Denmark this winter! Once I find a job over there, I will join him, but that could take up to a year. Tomorrow I will be moving up to Michigan to live with family while I work towards immigrating to one of the happiest countries in the world! Hooray!

I am pretty sure I would sell my soul
for the dress with the green top and the
multi-color zig-zag bottom!!!

During this transition, I will probably be offline for a week or so. Hopefully it won't be too much longer than that, because I know I will be itchin' to get back to writing about romance comics! I have lots of great posts coming up for this winter, so please check back!

Have a great beginning of December!
See you soon!!!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Sleepwear as Depicted by Mystery Artist!

So far, most of the "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" fashion featurettes I have shown here on Sequential Crush were illustrated by either Tony Abruzzo or Jay Scott Pike. Today I bring you a lovely two-pager from a different artist, one that I am not familiar with. This "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" spread from Girls Romances #143 (September 1969) has a fine layout, great lettering and well drawn figures, but the name of the artist alludes me.



There were other fashion featurettes in other romance comic titles, including the following "Romance in Fashion" from Girls' Love Stories #101 (February 1964). This page "presents the work of one artist, Cynthia Chazan, Montreal, Canada" and is obviously drawn by the same artist as pictured above. Now, here is where it gets tricky. Does this mean that the actual artist who illustrated this piece was a woman named Cynthia Chazan, or does this mean that the outfits were designed by her, à la "Patsy's Pin-up Page!"

Any thoughts, romance fans?!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - On Safari!

A little visual candy here for you with Tony Abruzzo's "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" from Girls' Love Stories #129 (August 1967)!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Not Just for the Ladies!

One of the things I have always found fascinating about romance comics is that they were designed to be consumed by a female audience and were almost always presented from the perspective of young women -- and yet for the most part, the creative process was carried out by men.

With the exception of columnists Marc and Paul, romance comic stories and featurettes were primarily told from the point of view of the female characters and presented the hottest fashions, advice and trends for young women.

Not this week!

Today marks the start of the first theme week at Sequential Crush, and as you may have guessed by now, the next few days will be all about romance from the "Guy's Point of View!" So sit back, enjoy, and let's get things started with the second page of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" from Girls' Romances #145 depicting the most handsome fashions of December 1969!

A Charlton Version of Mad Mad Modes for Moderns

In lieu of a Mad Mad Modes for Moderns piece, I have for you a Charlton doppelganger -- "Mini-Midi-Maxi" extolling the virtues of varied skirt lengths.

I especially dig the Star Trek
inspired mini!

Written in much the same style as one of the DC fashion featurettes, this Charlton fashion spread from Romantic Story #99 (March 1969) is a rare treat -- even if it does alliteratively mimic its competitor!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Mini Dresses

Adorable mini dresses as depicted by Tony Abruzzo!

"Mad Mad Modes for Moderns"
Falling in Love #93
(August 1967)

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Guilty!

"Mad Mad Modes for Moderns"
Girls' Romances #140
(April 1969)

A different sort of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" here for you this Monday, demonstrating the possible crimes inherent in makeup application. I think I was guilty of a few of these in middle school -- but hey! I was experimenting! Amazing how au naturel never seems to go out of style!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Beyond Bell-bottoms!

Bell-bottoms not wide enough for ya? May I suggest some beautiful palazzo pant jumpsuits as featured in Heart Throbs #118 (February/March 1969)?

According to the Couture Allure Vintage Fashion Blog, 1969 was "The Year of the Jumpsuit." Way to go romance comics -- always in fashion!!!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Swimsuits!

In honor of the scorching summer sun, I present these festive swimsuits from Falling in Love #100 (July 1968) by Jay Scott Pike - master of the female form!

They sure don't make swimsuits
like these anymore!

Pike's way of positioning his characters' bodies in this edition of "Mad Mad Modes for Moderns" is reminiscent of his pin-up work. Not one for a static presentation, Pike took full advantage of the fashions depicted, gravity, and ship accoutrements!

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Frilly Frocks!

Fashion is cyclical, with certain elements constantly going in and out of style. This summer, ruffles are incredibly in as demonstrated in Vogue. Feminine ruffles were also hot in the winter 1969 issue of Heart Throbs. Give me the vintage ruffles any day!

Heart Throbs #117

(December/January 1969)

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Crazy Hats!

There once was a time when head wear was common, and most women wore a hat of some sort on a regular basis.

Since that is no longer the case,
we must live vicariously through romance comics!

Headgear for the ages by Tony Abruzzo
"Mad Mad Modes for Moderns"
Heart Throbs #110 (October/November 1967)