The Rules of Style by Marcia Brady

Important question: Did Hedi Slimane and Nicolas Ghesquière have Marcia Brady in mind when they set out to produce their equally retro though decidedly disparate takes on the 1970s for the imminent Spring/Summer season?

The semblance to the latter Vuitton is particularly striking, but the thematically-charged 70s salute is salient for both brands.

The most recent influx of 70s-inspired wears (not even a day into New York Fashion Week and Trademark, Frame Denim and Hellessy have all introduced a dynamic take on the era) is unlike the resurgences before it — think 60s, 80s, 90s and so forth — because there seem to be little, if any, tweaks that “modernize” the fashion of its original provenance.

Indeed, you can seemingly pull a garment from the back of Marcia Brady, throw it on a runway and call it Fall fashion for 2015. But is this a good thing?

Why not, right?

It will certainly make vintage shopping that much more compelling, and there is something to be said of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” nature of the era and its style. You wouldn’t edit a powerful piece of writing that struck all the emotional chords a writer sets out to. You wouldn’t send in a car for service if it was operating superbly. So why attempt to repair the kind of silhouettes that have historically boded in the favor of a woman’s body and her curves?

Of course, we won’t all climb aboard the Saint Laurent/Louis Vuitton trains — that seems like an impossibility — but if you’re thinking about showing your 70s (mutton?) chops, let us suggest you take a page from the Marcia Brady book of style with the following tenets:

1. Turtleneck or no neck at all

1a. Do it in a primary color that errs on the side of burnt. I know this probably doesn’t make a lot of sense but I am opening up the comment to your interpretation.

1b. Put your art school’s education to work and think about contrasting your primary colors. Wearing a blue turtleneck? How about a red sweater over it?

2. Part your hair down the middle, NEVER tuck it behind your ears.

3. For the days when you’re feeling the no neck at all clause, wear a neckerchief the Man Repeller way.

4. Consider the knee-high sock (or the ankle length white one). You won’t look like an extra in Clueless. (But really, is that the worse thing?)

5. If you’re showing your belly button, you’re failing. Everything high waist; so high waist you’re in a state of perennial wedgie.

And, of course, all is flair in love and fashion. Skirts, sleeves, collars — you name it, she’s done it, you’ll co-opt it.