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When I think back to the 70's and even the early 80's, I can't believe that I actually wore Nik Nik shirts because of how much I currently hate not only the look, but more so the feel of polyester on my skin.

OMG, even just saying the word, polyester, makes my skin crawl.

Polyester is like wearing a straight-jacket because of how tightly it clings to the body; especially if you're sweating. Which brings up my next point - polyester is so freaking HOT, and you all know how much I hate being hot. Polyester feels like I'm trapped inside a hot pizza oven because the material doesn't breathe, it just holds onto the heat.

As far as I can see, the only people who should be wearing polyester are the Eskimo's in Alaska, where the temperatures are -80°F. I think all Eskimo's should turn in their fur coats and try wearing a Nik Nik. I bet they'd feel much warmer...


Other than that, polyester should be abolished because I consider it a filthy, dirty curse word.

And yet, back in my youth, I wore Nik Nik's like nobody's business; regardless of how much I hated polyester. In fact, I purchased a new Nik Nik at least twice a month because I just couldn't allow anyone in the nightclubs to see me wearing the same Nik Nik in a row. My friend Tim and I would drive over to Chess King (remember that store?) and buy a new Nik Nik on Friday or Saturday nights, just before we headed out to the clubs for a night of drinking, smoking, and disco dancing!

Yes, people, I was a wild party animal back then. And I was a freakazoid on the dance floor!

Here is an early advertisement for Nik Nik shirts...


This print looks like The Great Gatsby, doesn't it?


Being someone who hasn't worn a printed shirt in over 30 years, I can't believe that I even put these VISUALLY SENSORY OVERLOADED shirts on my back. I look at them now and they hurt my eyes because they are WAY too busy...


And please notice the pants. Those too were made of a POLYESTER blend.

Another thing about polyester I'm not crazy about is how shiny it is. Holy crap, it's like you're wearing material that's been laced with aluminum foil...


I actually don't mind this one because it's primarily in my favorite color. Black.
However, notice how W-I-D-E the collar is. It looks like BAT wings!


Yes, and there were Nik Nik's for women as well...




Do any of you remember Simplicity patterns? Take a look at this polyester shirt pattern. Isn't it a hoot? And look, they only cost $1.00!


Japanese themed Nik Nik's...



This one looks like a scene from Gone With the Wind...


Quite frankly, I have no words for this final picture.
 Other than....."GAG ME WITH A SPOON!"
*(these two guys look like they should be working at Wunderbar, serving giant pretzels with beer cheese, while playing an accordion )


Isn't it funny how we all seem to change when it comes to our tastes in fashion? What we once loved, we now find hideous. Yet, it's entertaining to look back and think, "I WORE THAT SHIT?!?!"


I leave you with a classic example of a 1970's Disco Nik Nik shirt. Worn by none other than John Travolta in the movie, Saturday Night Fever. And whether or not you liked disco, you have to admit that Travolta's dance moves in this film were incredible! This scene was literally shot inside a Brooklyn, New York nightclub in the 70's.

You go, John!


Have a fantastic week everyone! 
X

26 comments:

  1. OMG! How garish can they get? Those designs are freakish. It's years since I wore anything made of polyester, in fact I thought it had gone out of fashion.... haha, that's a great expression. Funnily enough, I didn't mind it so long as it wasn't next to bare skin. Shuddering at that thought.

    Hope your week is going well and you are not bombarded by autumn leaves.

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  2. Omg, how hideous were those shirts? For some reason, I don't remember the term, Nik Nik. But yes, I had a few of those shirts. Probably an burnt orange one, knowing me in the 70's 😂😂😂

    The ads are dumb, too. Do something equally nice? At first I thought it meant your wife wouldn't have to iron it, but then the woman's ad said same thing. Does it mean men and women could trade the shirts with each other? 🤔 Let's just say, NO THANKS!

    Fun post, Ron!

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  3. Good God, Ron, what a sartorial atrocity! Nik Nik is a definite nyet! nyet!

    I had some polyester shirts when I was young and deluded, but like you I came to realize just hideous that stuff is! And leave the poor Eskimos out of this, they've got enough problems!

    You're so right about the clothes we used to wear. My oldest brother actually work a Nehru jacket if you can believe it. And I've got some threads of dread from my dog dud days that I am mortally ashamed of.

    But it's all part of the life experience. You're bound to take some wrong turns on this long road and the Seventies were a doozy!

    Now put on those plaid overalls and hit the dance floor, buddy! I want to see you boogie down Travolta style!

    Take care!

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  4. I LOVE all things 70s and "Saturday Night Fever" is one of my favorite movies. And yes, I wore my share of polyester shirts, too. My mom actually made us our own using a sewing machine and a big ol' swatch of shiny polyester. Good god, what was she thinking?! And what were WE thinking by actually wearing them? I agree with all your points. Polyester should be outlawed. Even a cotton/poly blend is too hot.

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  5. Bwahahahaha! These are priceless photos. What a time capsule treasure. Mercifully, I don't really remember these shirts....probably because I was too wrapped up in my 70s miniskirts, knee-high boots and poet-sleeve, macrame tops. :-) Or, I've blocked them from memory. Whatever. They certainly were attention grabbers. The way you feel about polyester, I feel about rayon. Hate it with a passion. It's a good thing I wasn't drinking anything when I saw that last photo or I'd be cleaning my computer screen. Hope you have a wonderful, natural fiber sort of day!! :-)

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  6. Helloooooo there Valerie!

    "OMG! How garish can they get? Those designs are freakish."

    Bwhahahahahaha! I couldn't agree with your more. And when I think back to how I used to wear these shirts, I find it INSANE!

    "Funnily enough, I didn't mind it so long as it wasn't next to bare skin. Shuddering at that thought."

    My sentiments exactly! The feel of polyester (and even a polyester blend) makes me sweat, just thinking about it. And to think that I used to dance and dance all night long in the nightclubs and didn't nothing BUT sweat!

    Glad those days are over :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a grrrrreat rest of your week!
    X

    P.S. The weather here has been very warm and humid, so we haven't had any autumn leaves yet. But, I can't wait!!!!!

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  7. I know, aren't they HIDEOUS?!?!? When I think of how much my tastes in clothing has changed, I hardly believe I actually wore those things. Now, I prefer clothing that's very simple and monochromatic.

    "I had a few of those shirts. Probably an burnt orange one, knowing me in the 70's 😂😂😂"

    HA! Yes!!!!!!!! I remember them in ORANGE!!! Nik Nik was a brand name back in the 70's that made polyester shirts.

    "The ads are dumb, too. Do something equally nice? At first I thought it meant your wife wouldn't have to iron it, but then the woman's ad said same thing. Does it mean men and women could trade the shirts with each other? 🤔 Let's just say, NO THANKS!"

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OMG, I was confused about the ad too! I first thought that it meant that WOMEN would be attracted to you if you wore one. However, I realized that they mean that women can wear them too.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having a FABULOSO week!

    X

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  8. "Nik Nik is a definite nyet! nyet!"

    Bwhahahhahahahaha! OMG Rob, I freaking loved that! Hilarious! I haven't heard that expression in YEARS!

    "You're so right about the clothes we used to wear. My oldest brother actually work a Nehru jacket if you can believe it. And I've got some threads of dread from my dog dud days that I am mortally ashamed of."

    I had a Nehru jacket too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I think I even had a couple Nehru shirts as well. Nehru collars made you look like a PRIEST. HA!

    I was living in NYC in the 70's and I remember the style back then. I even had TWO pairs of platform shoes. One was brown. The other pair was orange. Yes....ORANGE!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a fantastic rest of your week!
    X

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  9. Wasn't Saturday Night Fever faaaaaaaaabulous, Mark? I was living in NYC at the time and kept hearing about how the movie was being shot in Brooklyn and all around Manhattan as well. They even shot on the Brooklyn Bridge.

    " My mom actually made us our own using a sewing machine and a big ol' swatch of shiny polyester. Good god, what was she thinking?! And what were WE thinking by actually wearing them?"

    OMG, how FUNNY!!!!!

    " I agree with all your points. Polyester should be outlawed. Even a cotton/poly blend is too hot."

    Waaaaaaaaaaaaay too hot, man! I actually tried one on several years ago while I was in a consignment shop, just to see how it looked on me. OMG....I couldn't WAIT to take it off because it felt so tight.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaaaaabulous rest of your week!

    X to you and Tara

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  10. HA! Aren't the photos HILARIOUS, Lisa? I Googled them all last week and had so much fun picking out the most hideous ones to share on this post.

    "Mercifully, I don't really remember these shirts....probably because I was too wrapped up in my 70s miniskirts, knee-high boots and poet-sleeve, macrame tops. :-) Or, I've blocked them from memory. "

    OMG yes...I remember ALL OF THOSE! I also remember wearing platform shoes! I had them in several different colors. I bought my first pair the year I moved to NYC to go to school It was 1974!

    Yes, rayon is another material that should be abolished. :)

    Isn't that last photo a HOOT? I just couldn't resist!

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing in the 70's memories, my friend. Have a fantastic rest of your week!
    X

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  11. *(these two guys look like they should be working at Wunderbar, serving giant pretzels with beer cheese, while playing an accordion ) ROFLMAO! Ron, that description was hilarious! I've never heard of Nik Nik shirts, but after seeing these pictures I understand why you can't believe you ever worn them because they're hideous. And what's with the dude wearing all yellow and that hat? He looks like a pimp!

    Thanks for the laughs Ron. What a great post!

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  12. Ron, I loved watching the clip from SNF because I was so in love with John Travolta after seeing that film. You're right, his dance moves were incredible. He was so HOT! This post is so funny. I love your commentary. You should be a stand up comedian! And btw, I do remember Simplicity patterns because we used them in my home economics class in high school!

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  13. Ron, this post had me laughing so hard that tears were dripping from my eyes! How funny (and kind of sad!) that people wore this trash!!


    I don't think I had a Nik Nik shirt, but I well remember the style. And oh my yes, that shiny, clingy fabric. I had a co-worker who regularly warned me NOT to fly on an airplane wearing polyester because if the plane crashed, that material would catch fire immediately and burn your skin. He said cottons, linen, wool (natural materials) would be less prone to do that.


    And you know, those high-waisted pants are almost as ugly! Sorry, but very few people can successfully pull off that look -- and to think the designers are trying to bring back high-waisted jeans for women this season, YUCK!!


    Jolly good fun this morning, my friend! Have a great weekend and enjoy the cooler weather we're sending you! xx

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  14. I don't remember the brand Nik Nik specifically, but I do remember the bright polyester shirts (and pants) of the 70's. They were hot and sticky, that's for sure! But I don't think they'd be good for cold weather, either - I think layers of natural fibers that breathe probably keep people warmer. Not sure polyester is really good for much!

    The video made me laugh. He snuck some Russian dance moves in there! And good grief, I'd forgotten he had such high-heeled shoes.

    I have an old photo of me from the 70's where I'm wearing red plaid pants. And when I see it, all I can think about is how much I loved those plaid bell-bottoms. They were so cool! I also had a pair of embroidered hot pink bell-bottoms I just loved. Yes, now they seem silly. But at the time - didn't you just feel amazing in those shirts?

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  15. Hiya Matt!

    That's the first thing that popped into my head when I saw that pic of those two guys.

    Nik Nik's were very popular in the 70's and part of the 80's. They were very popular at the disco clubs.

    ".And what's with the dude wearing all yellow and that hat? He looks like a pimp!"

    Bwhahahahahahaha! OMG, that's sooooooooooo funny. And you're right, he does look like a pimp!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a super weekend!
    X

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  16. Hey Candice!

    Is the clip of Travolta dancing, faaaaaaaaabulous? I remember seeing it for the first time when the movie was released and thinking, "OMG...what a phenomenal dancer he is!!" And I don't know if you knew this but when the scene was first edited, they only showed Travolta's face, the camera did not show his body. However, after seeing the first cut, Travolta INSISTED that they show the scene in the FULL shot.

    " And btw, I do remember Simplicity patterns because we used them in my home economics class in high school!"

    Yup, I remember my sister taking home economics in school and using Simplicity patterns to make dresses and things.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic weekend!
    X

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  17. Hellooooooooooo there, Debbie!

    Isn't it funny how so often when we looks back on clothing styles of past decades, we wonder HOW IN GOD'S NAME DID WE EVER WEAR THAT?!?!?

    "And oh my yes, that shiny, clingy fabric. I had a co-worker who regularly warned me NOT to fly on an airplane wearing polyester because if the plane crashed, that material would catch fire immediately and burn your skin. He said cottons, linen, wool (natural materials) would be less prone to do that."

    OMG, and I'm not surprise to hear that because polyester seemed as though it would catch fire immediately. The material seemed almost "plastic" so it would most likely catch fire and melt on your skin.

    "And you know, those high-waisted pants are almost as ugly! Sorry, but very few people can successfully pull off that look -- and to think the designers are trying to bring back high-waisted jeans for women this season, YUCK!!"

    I agree. High-wasted pants are not attractive on any type of body because they seem to make the body look unbalanced in height. The waist cuts the body off in an odd way.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a grrrrrrrrreat weekend as well!

    X

    P.S. Thanks for sending the cooler weather. In fact, we got some of it yesterday. And I am sooooooooo happy because the summer seemed endless. I am so ready for Fall and Winter :)

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  18. " They were hot and sticky, that's for sure! But I don't think they'd be good for cold weather, either - I think layers of natural fibers that breathe probably keep people warmer. Not sure polyester is really good for much!"

    You know, you're probably right about that, I never even thought about how natural fibers are more breathable. Polyester would most like make the body feel colder in colder weather because it has that "plastic" feeling.

    "The video made me laugh. He snuck some Russian dance moves in there! And good grief, I'd forgotten he had such high-heeled shoes."

    HA! He DID snuck in some Russian moves, you're right! And can believe the HIGH platform shoes he wore and how he could dance like that in them?!?

    " And when I see it, all I can think about is how much I loved those plaid bell-bottoms. They were so cool! I also had a pair of embroidered hot pink bell-bottoms I just loved."

    OMG how faaaaaabulous! I too remember bell-bottom pants because I have several pairs. And I also remember trying to find them in the BIGGEST bell-bottom possible because I thought it looked so cool - HA!

    Yes, now they seem silly. But at the time - didn't you just feel amazing in those shirts?

    Yup!

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing in the 70's memories, my friend. Have a fantastic weekend!

    X

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  19. Oh Ron, I laughed so hard throughout this entire post! You and I are around the same age so I completely identify with the 70's Nik Nik's. And I agree, polyester was so warm. I had a dress made of polyester. It was a wrap-around dress that I bought at Alexander's in Manhattan. I also bought a pair of very high shoes that killed my feet, but didn't care because I thought I looked SO HOT! LOL!

    These pictures are so funny because even though I thought the style back then was so cool, I look at it now and think, Ewwwwwwww! But isn't it ironic how style kind of reinvents itself and comes back?

    I remember seeing Saturday Night Fever when it first came out and really enjoying it. John Travolta was so good in that part. What a great dancer! Wow, I had no idea that the dance/disco scene had been filmed in Brooklyn. I'm a native New Yorker and didn't even know that. How did you find that out?

    What an entertaining post, Ron! Thank you for a blast from the past.

    Are you enjoying this cooler weather? I am!

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  20. Hello there Elaine!

    " I had a dress made of polyester. It was a wrap-around dress that I bought at Alexander's in Manhattan. I also bought a pair of very high shoes that killed my feet, but didn't care because I thought I looked SO HOT! LOL!"

    OMG...I LOVED that!!!!!!!! Yes, I clearly remember those wrap-around polyester dresses that all the girls wore back then. And also those HIGH shoes that were very strappy. I also remember the store, Alexander's, which went out of business many years ago. When I lived in Mahattan in the 70's, I remember shopping at an Alexander's on 57th and Lexington Ave. It was not far from Bloomingdale's.

    "But isn't it ironic how style kind of reinvents itself and comes back?"

    Yes, it sure is!

    I found out about Saturday Night Fever being shot in Brooklyn because I had seen a documentary film about the making of. Also, I knew someone in film who I had gone to acting school with. Her name is Donna Pescow, who played the part of Annette.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! And YES>>>>>> I am soooooooo enjoying this cooler weather. It finally feels like FALL!

    Have a super weekend!
    X

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  21. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comSaturday, September 29, 2018

    Oh gosh - how I laughed at your post - thanks! Retro is big here in Sweden, but so glad those styles are not back in fashion although you can pick up polyester shirts in vintage and second hand stores.

    The weird thing is all my son's basketball match shirts are made from polyester - still!! And the smell of adolescents' underarms after matches is terrible. LOL! I wish they could wear cotton.

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  22. "Retro is big here in Sweden, but so glad those styles are not back in fashion although you can pick up polyester shirts in vintage and second hand stores."

    OMG....that's AWESOME, Fiona! And yes, I've seen these shirts at consignment shops, here in the US. And because they're authentic vintage, they are very expensive.

    " And the smell of adolescents' underarms after matches is terrible. LOL! I wish they could wear cotton.

    HAHAHAHAHAHA! That's another thing about polyester, it holds stink more than cotton. Me? I primarily wear cotton because I sweat, and cotton breathes AND dries quickly.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your Retro memories of Nik Nik polyesters!

    Have a faaaabulous week, my friend!
    X

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  23. Hahahahahahahahaha! Ron, this is hilarrrious! I can just imagine you, sweltering in your polyester finery, giving a whole new meaning to 'Disco Inferno' :-) Burn, baby, burn... !
    I was just a young whipper-snapper in the 70's but my parents certainly racked up some serious fashion crimes with their psychedelic gear, terrible shoes and dangerously wide flairs.
    Hope you are well! Sorry, I am never on here (too much to do, no time!) but hoping to get back into the blogging world at some point in the future...
    Best
    Nat

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  24. I totally get it.... oh, but... wait... maybe just the Japanese/Geisha one could be a keeper? LOL
    If you wear it, I'll just follow you with a big fan ... for cooling! ha
    Of course as I'm reading along, I'm thinking of JT and SNF. Love that movie and still tune in if it's on. Actually, I have it on DVD and occasionally put it in, if just for the soundtrack while I'm working.

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  25. Hey there Nat!

    Soooooooooooo great to see you, my friend!

    "...giving a whole new meaning to 'Disco Inferno' :-) Burn, baby, burn... !"

    HAHAHAHAHA! Funny you mentioned Disco Inferno because that was one of my favorite songs in the movie. I remember dancing to it at the clubs right after the movie launched.

    "I was just a young whipper-snapper in the 70's but my parents certainly racked up some serious fashion crimes with their psychedelic gear, terrible shoes and dangerously wide flairs."

    Yes, your parents and I are probably closer in age so they would be more familiar with the 70's style. Looking back, I think...."OMG, DID I ACTUALLY WEAR THAT?!?!"

    No worries, I understand that life outside of blogging takes precedence. Over the past couple of years, I too am not blogging as much as I used to. Like you, I've been busy with life stuff so I don't have as much time. Honestly though, I've been enjoying not being online as much as I used to.

    Hope all is well with you too, and that you're enjoying Autumn! This is my favorite season of the year.

    Thanks so much for taking time to stop by, I appreciate that!

    Have a faaaaaaaaaaaabulous week!
    X

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  26. "t... maybe just the Japanese/Geisha one could be a keeper? LOL"

    OMG Mary, funny you mentioned that because the second I saw the Japanese/Geisha one, I immediately thought of YOU, I kid you not! And I had a feeling you would say how much you liked it. And I have to say, it IS a really cool print! You and I both have such a thing for anything "Japanese/Geisha."

    "Actually, I have it on DVD and occasionally put it in, if just for the soundtrack while I'm working."

    That's AWESOME! I LOVE that soundtrack! It's one of those albums in which every single song is a hit!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Hope you're enjoying Autumn!!!

    Have a FAB week!
    X

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