I've always wondered why Sally Field was dressed as she was when she played Gidget. In that 1965-66 period, girls were wearing mini-skirts, mini-dresses, jumpers along with various styles of boots, etc. I just don't recall seeing her wearing many of the fashions of those "Mid-60's Girls" that are now remembered. Certainly Gidget dealt with being on the beach, surfing and the like, but there were times when they went elsewhere.

...the series was designed to be "timeless"- that is, it was meant to appear in future syndication for years after it ended. If certain fashions reflecting the period when the series was filmed were seen {i.e. go-go boots, mini-skirts, etc.}, they would "date" the program- and that's not what Hollywood producers, including Screen Gems, were trying to "sell". That's why Gidget's wardrobe was basically "generic"; her clothing could easily survive endless repeats into the 1970's, '80s, and beyond. The swimwear and two-piece bathing suits she wore, however, were a reflection of their time (and easily the most dated)...and there was an "edict" against showing women's navels on camera on all the networks at that time, so that's why you rarely, if ever, saw Gidget's.

:tv:

...the series was designed to be "timeless"- that is, it was meant to appear in future syndication for years after it ended. If certain fashions reflecting the period when the series was filmed were seen {i.e. go-go boots, mini-skirts, etc.}, they would "date" the program- and that's not what Hollywood producers, including Screen Gems, were trying to "sell". That's why Gidget's wardrobe was basically "generic"; her clothing could easily survive endless repeats into the 1970's, '80s, and beyond. The swimwear and two-piece bathing suits she wore, however, were a reflection of their time (and easily the most dated)...and there was an "edict" against showing women's navels on camera on all the networks at that time, so that's why you rarely, if ever, saw Gidget's.

:tv:

I rarely ever disagree with you knowledge, but I don't know if your statement is based on written fact or opinion on this one.....First Sally Field was a very young girl, the pilot shows her laying in bed with full legs and feet exposed, she was supposed to be a over-reaction high maintence typical teenager/ child......your "theory" of syndication could be true, but funny it only lasted one season (of course the producers didn't think it would be cancelled)....the mod mini-skirt period really took over in 1967, so screen gems certainly changed their mind by then with "I Dream Of Jeannie" & even "Bewitched". Jeannie wore go-go boots, mini-skirts once married and had a "Mod Party"....and even "The Monkees" seem dated now...so I doubt Gidgets' wardrobe had anything to do with future revenue more than her age and the time period being barely 1965. But I still admire and love reading all your very thoughtful and very insightful factual comments 99% of the time!

I appreciate and respect the replies. It is interesting that if the reason for what Gidget wore was to give the show a "timeless" look, re-runs of the series were very rare in later years. However, other shows where current fashion was shown (examples: in the first episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", Mary had on winter-white knee-high vinyl boots or in "One Day At A Time" Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips often wore flared jeans or pants) were frequently re-run years later.

I appreciate and respect the replies. It is interesting that if the reason for what Gidget wore was to give the show a "timeless" look, re-runs of the series were very rare in later years. However, other shows where current fashion was shown (examples: in the first episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", Mary had on winter-white knee-high vinyl boots or in "One Day At A Time" Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips often wore flared jeans or pants) were frequently re-run years later.

Well a certain cartoon Great Dane whose name appeared before his creation in a Sinatra song some months before our surfer girl's cancellation has owners with veyr dated fashiooned and HE has survived...[Daphne Blake looking 11 year old kids today...UGH :) Give me a BREAK!] yes, Scooby Doo...but then these are very little kids, and girls at that, they'll watch wany dang thing.

...the series was designed to be "timeless"- that is, it was meant to appear in future syndication for years after it ended. If certain fashions reflecting the period when the series was filmed were seen {i.e. go-go boots, mini-skirts, etc.}, they would "date" the program- and that's not what Hollywood producers, including Screen Gems, were trying to "sell". That's why Gidget's wardrobe was basically "generic"; her clothing could easily survive endless repeats into the 1970's, '80s, and beyond. The swimwear and two-piece bathing suits she wore, however, were a reflection of their time (and easily the most dated)....

:tv:
Didn't hurt young girls watching her in 1990s-200s reruns on Cable.

Since Gidget was part of the 1960s surf culture, I'd think she'd wear swimming suits at the beach, and T -- shirts, cutoff blue jeans or shorts, and sandals around town .

At the same time, I've always thought that "Gidget" (or Sally Fields at the age of 18 or 19 when she was in that role) would have looked good dressed in a dress or skirt and go-go or knee-high boots.

Where would she go ,where she would wear go go boots or a dress? Maybe Screen Gems had a budget.

Where would she go ,where she would wear go go boots or a dress?

Just about anywhere besides the beach.

There's an interview with Sally Field online somewhere in which she says a lot of Gidget's outfits were her own style.