By Allison Duncan
We asked alumni, faculty and staff from a few different decades to share memories and photos of clothes and accessories that were fashionable through the years. They reminisced about the dress code, gym uniforms, attire they wore on special occasions, trendy brands and how special it was to get ready for a night out together.
1960s: The Dress Code Saved Her Life
Back in the 1960s, only dresses and skirts were allowed. Had we been allowed to wear long pants then, I most likely would not be alive today! It was only because I was wearing a skirt that the school nurse, who was walking behind me, noticed that my right leg was very swollen. She took me to the local hospital where I was diagnosed with a blood clot in that leg and was later transported by ambulance to my own hospital in New Jersey! So, thanks to my wearing a skirt I am alive today to tell the story! Who would have ever imagined that not being allowed to wear long pants would save a life!
—Kathy Wurts ’63
1970s: Wearing Pants in Protest
I still have my Immaculata jacket, beanie and gym skirt. I remember not being able to wear pants in class until sophomore year (1970-71). Skirts were not convenient for me, being a bio/chem major. Sister Celine, the anatomy teacher, was furious when the boarders protested and came to class wearing pants. I commuted and was not aware of the protest. Sister Celine was tough but a good teacher.
—Rosemarie Marcaccio Joseph ’73
1980s: Standing Out in a Suit Among Casual Attire
I thought our biggest day-to-day fashion “challenge” was being too casual. This was evident in the reaction whenever a student was dressed up in a suit for class. As she walked across campus, everyone wished her “good luck,” because they knew she was on her way to her seminar class to give an important presentation required for seniors in several majors at that time.
—Maribeth Foster ’85
1990s: Shoulder Pads, Home Perms and Fluffy Slippers
We were often found sporting sweaters, especially ones with big buttons down the front that we purchased at The Limited. Most of our tops, blazers, dresses and sweaters had shoulder pads. We loved our slouchy socks.
We all had a lot of hair and used a lot of hairspray. We often gave each other home perms on Thursday nights.
—Kelly Philbin ’91
When I began working at Immaculata at the start of the spring semester of 1999, Immaculata was still primarily a women’s college. I remember seeing the students walking down the halls in fluffy slippers and flannel pajama pants. That mostly stopped after Immaculata went coed in 2005!
—Lydia Szyjka, director of communications
2000s: Trends That Are Back in Style
Early 2000s fashion is back in right now, so it’s kind of surreal! Popular at the time were gaucho pants, long denim skirts, bandanas and those little half sweaters that tie in the middle. There were SO MANY tank tops, usually layered. But the best were the lace-trimmed tank tops—bonus points if they were also silky! Most outfits consisted of jeans and a “going out top,” which was usually your nicest, coolest tank top.
Shorter hair was typically the style and there were so many chokers. And Tiffany’s jewelry was a huge status symbol, especially the heart necklace. Around the dorm, we all had our favorite sweatpants and hoodies, so that probably hasn’t changed too much in the last 20 years. Although the velour sweat suit combo might not be what it once was!
We wore academic attire for ceremonies and special events, although usually with short shorts and tank tops underneath. And we all had a TON of dresses for the dances—father/daughter, Navy ball, cotillion, Greek formal. Good thing we could all swap dresses!
One of my favorite memories, though, is surrounding what it was like to get ready to go out for the night in the dorms. It was so much fun to hang out while getting ready, borrowing a top or a purse from a friend next door, or asking a friend to trim your bangs.
—Lori De Rea Kolb ’05, ’09 M.A.
2010s: Sweater Vests and California-inspired Attire
One trend in undergrad was a commitment to the sweater vest. What a time to be alive it was!
On a New Orleans mission trip, Alex Faljean ’11 and I participated in a contest among the students to make a wedding dress out of plastic wrap! And dare I say that Alex and I won? I mean, that would certainly appear to be the case, based on the quality of our work.
—Andy Halstead ’11
I remember that Ed Hardy clothing and Affliction shirts were a big thing for the guys during that time. Hollister and Abercrombie were also in their prime, with SoCal-inspired trends being big around then, I believe because of “The O.C.” TV show.
—Stephen Vujevich ’11
2020s: Wear a Bowtie, Look Like a Pro
Mark McFadden, Ed.D., professor of business, had professional dress days for students in his Marketing Principles & Practices class. “I remember a couple of guys who wore bowties,” he said. Immaculata students wore this trendy accessory to class and at formal events such as Senior Ball.
