In View from the Top, the new movie comedy, Gwyneth Paltrow experiences the highs and lows of flight attendant fashion. But orange hot pants? Here's a look back at the glamor days of stewardess style—when Pucci prints and soaring hemlines ruled the skies

MOVING ON UP
In View from the Top, flight attendant Paltrow escapes the fictional, fashion-challenged Sierra Airlines (left, with costar Kelly Preston) for the first-class threads (right) of a coveted job with Royalty Airlines' international service.

TAKING FLIGHT
Stewardesses in the 1950s sported demure but shapely outfits (like TWA's '55 look).

PUCCI COUP
Designer Emilio Pucci revolutionized air wear with his mod looks for Braniff International, including a plastic bubble headdress ('65) and colorful separates (71).

SKY THIGH
American Airlines swapped three-piece uniforms for knit dresses (minilength, of course) in 1967.

WE WEAR SHORT SHORTS
In 1971 TWA garbed stewardesses in minipants, boots and a safari-style shirtdress.

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT
Launching service in 1971, Southwest Airlines boasted the lowest fares—and some of the air's highest hemlines, with hostesses clad in orange hot pants.

TOP TOTES

Newlyweds Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward flew from N.Y.C. in 1958.

Faye Dunaway took off for swinging London on a 1967 vacation.

Audrey Hepburn headed from New York City to Europe in style in 1954.

Stars snapped up the original logo bags

TWA got a plug when Sophia Loren alit in N.Y.C. to promote a film in 1963.

Judy Garland caught a jet at Idlewild (now JFK airport) in 1963.