When most people think back to their earliest style influences, names like Mom, Barbie, and various famous people usually come to mind. Of course, I’d agree that my own mother had a huge impact on my tastes when it comes to fashion, but I must also pay tribute to a couple other ladies who helped shape my style– you probably know them too. Their names are Betty and Veronica, and I owe a huge chunk of my love of fashion to them.
All images are from B and V FashionsAs a child I read constantly. Whenever I could spare a quiet moment, I had a book in one hand while I shushed those around me with the other. I’m not exactly sure how or why I got hooked on Archie comics, but I think it had to do with needing a light book that I could hold up easily while I ate dinner. Not long after I finished one, I’d sacrifice it to a pair of scissors and cut carefully along the outline of Betty and Veronica’s bodies. Countless shoe boxes contained hundreds of pictures of the two that I would play with in lieu of Barbies. Sure, I loved my ‘3D’ dolls, but they just didn’t have the fashion range that Betty and Veronica offered.
For anyone reading this who grew up NOT identifying as a Betty or a Veronica, here’s a bit of background. Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Lodge is Riverdale’s resident rich girl. She shops ‘til she drops and has the looks to prove it. Betty Cooper is the girl next door. Not only does she make the perfect ‘frienemy,’ but she also knows the importance of a great ponytail. A brunette and blonde respectively, they are naturally always at odds over Archie Andrews (who, I realized even as a seven year old, isn’t good enough for either of them), the neighbourhood douche.
Talk to any Archie connoisseur, and we’ll tell you that retro issues boast the best fashions. Since 1950, the comics have taken readers though the best styles each decade has to offer. Colours are bright, patterns are crazy, and the hemlines are anywhere and everywhere. In the fifties, Betty and Veronica were all about skirts; pencils and poodles paired with bright sweater sets and scarves had me longing for a simpler time to the point that I wore a full skirt (complete with a stitched on, furry poodle) to a second grade recital.
The seventies showed the girls in a series of headbands, mini skirts, rompers, bell bottoms, hot pants. Tights were striped, coats were trenches, shoes were wedged, and jewellery was piled on. These ladies never repeated an outfit and never looked less than polished (unless depressed because of that louse Archie).
I identified with Betty as a regular girl with modest funds for clothing, but always kept an abject love for Veronica and her mean girl ways. Sure she was always stabbing Betty in the back and treating Archie like her love slave… but, dammit, she looked fabulous doing it! She even pulled off menswear. Not to mention that, while Betty bored us all to death with her ever-present ponytail, Veronica debuted a bob, bangs, and a series of long styles with that glossy dark mane (brunettes unite!).
The comics continued to introduce more female characters like Cheryl Blossom, Sabrina, Alexandra Cabot and Josie and her Pussycats, but none came close to the connection I had with Betty and Veronica. Soon I stopped buying Archie comics altogether and instead concentrated on finding the Betty & Veronica title comics. Every story centered around the ladies and even featured full-page spreads on their fashions.
Even makeup mecca MAC knows the impact these girls had on all of us. Ready for Spring 2013, the company is releasing an “Archie’s Girls” collection that will take its inspiration from the girls of Riverdale. Until then, customers are encouraged to text either “Betty” or “Veronica” to 898622. MAC will be basing the majority of their products on whichever girl gets the most votes (Team Veronica!).
I’ll admit, a few friends were confused by my love for pieces of paper with weird-looking women on them, but no one could argue against their stylish ensembles. Luckily for me (and anyone who shares my obsession), the Tumblr page B and V Fashions keeps my childhood alive with endless images of Betty and Veronica in all their stylish glory.
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Bianca Teixeira writes about style for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at @BeeLauraTee.
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