Tag Archives: California

Fashioning San Francisco

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Lynn

On recent a trip to the Bay Area, my cousin and I visited the current fashion exhibit at San Francisco’s de Young Museum called “Fashioning San Francisco.”  It had an interesting organizational premise—all clothes were worn by San Franciscans themselves … Continue reading →

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Native Daughters of the Golden West

Posted on April 10, 2024 by Lynn

I am always amazed by the number of women’s organizations that I have never heard of.  While looking through Calisphere, I discovered this photo of a 1948 meeting of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, a group that celebrates … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, 2010s | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Grannies on the Red Carpet, 2024

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Lynn

It’s not every day that older women can steal the show on the red carpet.  However, that was the case recently when Chang Li Hua and Yi Yan Fuei showed up in Hollywood dressed in custom Rodarte.  Vogue even took … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020s | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“Five Babushkas,” 1970s. A Photo by Rod Bradley

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Lynn

I’m slowly forgetting all the Russian I learned in my career as a historian of the Soviet Union. However, I do remember that the proper plural of the word babushka (grandmother) is babushki.  I suppose I should be glad that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

New Year’s Day at Ocean Beach in San Diego, 1918

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Lynn

Greeting the New Year with a dive into water is a tradition in many parts of the world.  In South America the water might be warm, while in Russia it is surely icy.  Although temperatures usually hover in the sixties … Continue reading →

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Christmas Tamales, 1960

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Lynn

If you are lucky enough to live in an area where people have come from Mexico or Central America, you might know about the Christmas tamale tradition.  Although this sweet or savory confection is made for many different holidays, it … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Dottie Quinn–A Life in Pants

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Lynn

I love being able to follow a woman’s clothing choices from youth to age, sometimes possible when I stumble upon a family photo collection online.  That was the case for Sylvia Dorothy Quinn, known to all as Dottie.  Her husband, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, 1960s, 1980s, 2000s, General | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

First Prudential Outing, Los Angeles 1908

Posted on May 14, 2023 by Lynn

In 1908, it was not yet clear that Los Angeles would become the megalopolis that it is today. San Francisco was the dominant city in the state at the turn of the century, but things were beginning to change.  While … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900s | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

New Year’s Eve, 1967

Posted on January 1, 2023 by Lynn

Where did the tradition of funny hats on New Year’s Eve come from? This shot of the the Hallberg family (from left to right–son, son’s wife, mother, father) shows that they endorse the idea enthusiastically. They all wear hats–and they … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hearts on their Sleeves–The Terno in Los Angeles

Posted on November 5, 2022 by Lynn

In what contexts do immigrants wear their native dress?  For Filipina women, the most distinctive item of clothing is the terno—a dress or set of matching separates with a much extended, wing-like upper sleeve, as seen in the picture above. … Continue reading →

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