Tag Archives: generations

Portrait with Yucca, 1928

I puzzled over this photo for a long time.  Is she an older woman or not?  Her cropped hair is certainly a style favored by the young in 1928, and it looks like she might be pregnant.  However, elements of … Continue reading

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Josie Home on Vacation, 1977

“Josie home on vacation,” reads the text on the back of the photo. It also includes the date, 1977, so helpful in analyzing style choices. Josie must be the younger woman in the middle. “Home on vacation” makes me think … Continue reading

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

Circle Skirts and the Older Woman

Although they are now coming back in style, circle skirts were originally a 1950s phenomenon.  Actress turned designer Juli Lynne Charlot is credited with their invention. It was her response to the New Look style that emerged after World War … Continue reading

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Grandma and Ruth, ca. 1900

I find it hard to believe that over a century ago a grandmother would ignore the rules of proper dress in order to pose outside in her nightgown.  But then what is she wearing?  Is it perhaps a wrapper without … Continue reading

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Barbie Gets Old

In her long career, Barbie has been a lot of things—an astronaut, a teacher, a doctor, and more.  One thing she’s never been is old.  The Barbie of my day had unreal body proportions and permanently misshapen feet.  Not yet … Continue reading

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At the Beach, 1930s

Since summer has officially arrived, it’s time to take a look at older women in the swim. Are these two women wearing skirted bathing suits?  Or do they have on short play dresses, designed for fun and sun but not … Continue reading

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Considering Sportswear–Golfing, 1937

By 1937, some young women were wearing pants to play golf—but not these two.  It looks like their mother had brought for a day on the course. Did she play as well?  If so, she has on the wrong shoes. … Continue reading

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The Biggest Hair, 1968

What a historical treasure! The photo was sent to me by reader Nann Hilyard, who got it from a friend, who got it from who knows where.  The magic of the internet. Big hair was already heading out of style … Continue reading

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Hearts on their Sleeves–The Terno in Los Angeles

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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Stylish Threesome

This eBay find is almost certainly a three-generation photo, one of my favorite kinds.  The grandmother stands in the middle, with her daughter to her left and her granddaughter to the right.  It is some kind of dress up event … Continue reading

Posted in 1960s, 1970s | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment