What goes around always comes back around, and that’s especially true for fashion trends. In the September 1971 edition of The Register, writers marveled at the return of needlecraft and handwork in both men’s and women’s fashion. In a style show presented by the Baton Rouge Christian Women’s Club and Margie Spiller’s Knit Shop, one-of-a-kind clothing pieces showcased “the wonderful personal touch of the individual who works them himself using techniques which go back centuries.”

The outfits worn that evening over 50 years ago are now the exact finds vintage clothing connoisseurs and everyday fashionistas envy. Surely you’ve seen an Instagram post showing off an outfit similar to the pink knit ensemble, versatile crochet dress or green two-piece suit made of acrylic worn with an off-white, long-sleeve blouse. For the men, the style show included a grey cable sweater and a pale blue Persian yarn vest showing golf tees, a bag and putting green made by Bert Kauffman and John Goodman.

In the 1970s, the return of the art of needlecraft was a response to the assembly line machine age. Today, local clothiers are prioritizing handmade and high quality over trend-chasing fast fashion, as detailed in the August 2024 cover story. No matter the year or trend, clothing crafted with care is the epitome of timeless style.