Laura Petrie, the character played by Mary Tyler Moore on the classic 1960s sitcom The Dick van Dyke Show, was known for many things. She was a loving wife, a doting mother, and a talented dancer. But one of the most enduring elements of her character was her wardrobe – specifically, the tight-fitting Capri pants she wore. Thus, the mysterious appeal of Laura Petrie’s pants.
To modern audiences, the pants may not seem particularly remarkable. But to viewers of the time, they were an absolute sensation. They caught the eye of both the male and female audience members, and even the show’s star and co-creator, Dick van Dyke, couldn’t help but express his appreciation for them.
In one episode, the Petrie’s threw a “swingers party” that was memorable for driving all the teenage male viewers of the TV show wild. In this episode, Rob, Laura’s “husband,” banged on the bongo drums while Laura gyrated in a very sexual manner. And, she was wearing those pants.
Playing the bongos in the early 1960’s was only done at wild, out-of-control drug-fueled beatnik gatherings. Associating a sophisticated upper-middle class white family with bongo-playing was shocking, crude, and a first for television. ‘Rob’ swung his body heavily with the beat as he banged the drums in a manner that was only associated with primitive tribes. The producers of the show hoped the thundering, driving bongos — coupled with Laura’s overt rhythmic display — would arouse her young male fans. This it did.
So what was it about her pants that made them so appealing? Using a combination of fashion analysis, psychological research, and cultural context, we can begin to unravel the mystery of the mysterious appeal of Laura Petrie’s pants.
First, it’s important to understand the fashion of the time. In the early 1960s, fashion was becoming more experimental and daring. The strict codes of dress that characterized the 1950s were breaking down, and designers were exploring new silhouettes and fabrics. Laura Petrie’s pants fit right in with these trends – they were a departure from the modest skirts and dresses that women had worn for decades, and they signaled a new era of freedom and self-expression.
But fashion alone doesn’t explain the appeal of the pants. We have to look at the underlying psychology of attraction. Research has suggested that there are certain features that people find universally attractive – things like clear skin, symmetrical faces, and a healthy physique. Laura Petrie’s pants embodied some of these features – for example, they showed off her long and lean legs, which are considered an attractive trait.
In addition to these physical features, confidence is another key component of attraction. Research has shown that people are drawn to others who exude confidence and self-assurance. Laura Petrie’s character was known for these qualities – she was witty, poised, and assertive. By wearing pants that were unconventional and attention-grabbing, she demonstrated her self-assurance and confidence. Baby Boomer boys just entering adolescence were mesmerized by the sight of Laura Petrie in those pants. Continuously-available hard-core pornography was not an option for 13 YO boys in the early 1960’s. They had to stoke their fantasies with the sight of Laura Petrie’s pants.
But the appeal of the pants is not just about their design or the psychology of attraction – it’s also about the context in which they were worn. The Dick van Dyke Show was groundbreaking in many ways, but one of its most significant achievements was its representation of a happy, loving, and equal partnership between a husband and wife. Laura Petrie’s clothing choices were an integral part of this dynamic – her pants were a symbol of her modern, independent spirit, and they contrasted with the more traditional clothing worn by other female characters on the show. And, they were sexy as hell.
When we look at the pants in this broader cultural context, we begin to understand why they were so appealing. They represented a new era of fashion and social attitudes, and they embodied the confident, independent spirit of the women’s movement. They were also a perfect fit for the character of Laura Petrie – a stylish, intelligent, and live-wire woman who embodied the swinging spirit of the 1960s. Here was a mother and wife that was completely different from Mrs. Cleaver of Leave It To Beaver fame. If the young viewers could picture themselves in marriage, they certainly would have picked Rob and Laura to imitate in preference to Ward and June.
In conclusion, the mystery of Laura Petrie’s Capri pants is not so mysterious after all. By examining the fashion trends of the 1960s, the psychology of attraction, and the cultural context of The Dick van Dyke Show, we can see that the pants represented a perfect storm of style, confidence, and social progress. While they might seem ordinary today, there’s no denying that they made an indelible impression on audiences at the time – and they continue to be a beloved piece of television history.