Category Archives: 1940s

Portrait of a Woman with Butterfly

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Lynn

In honor of Black History Month, I’ve been searching for collections of photographs of African Americans that might include older women.  One rich source I discovered is the private collection of Mike Cochran, given to the Portal of Texas History.  … Continue reading →

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Christmas in Minidoka, 1943

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Lynn

When Japanese Americans were removed from their homes by presidential order in 1942, they were sent to a number of concentration camps for the duration of World War Two.  One was Minidoka, located near the town of Hunt, Idaho.  Taken … Continue reading →

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Toasting Thanksgiving, 1947

Posted on November 24, 2020 by Lynn

You wonder what they had to be so thankful for in 1947.  Were they still toasting the end of World War Two, or was it some private milestone?  I know I will be lifting at least a few glasses to … Continue reading →

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The Hip Shelf and the Older Woman, 1948

Posted on October 27, 2020 by Lynn

“Great Lakes—David and Mother, 1948” is written in faint ink on the front of this photo.  It evokes a lot of questions.  Why was it taken from the back? Had David been in the Navy during the war, or did … Continue reading →

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The Woman Who Stayed In Style

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Lynn

One common assumption about older women is that they are much less likely to keep up with current clothing trends.  I notice this in my own dress.  There are lots of explanations for this phenomenon.  Usually older women have discovered … Continue reading →

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The Woman Who Loved Pants

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Lynn

While it’s not hard to find photos of younger women in pants from the 1940s, older women are a different matter.  This woman (I’m almost positive it’s the same one—or else a very close relative) might not yet be 50, … Continue reading →

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Mary McLeod Bethune in Stripes, 1940s

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Lynn

Although the name Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) might not be familiar today, she was a giant in her time, a leading figure in African American education and civil rights. Born to former slaves, Bethune founded a well-known school for African … Continue reading →

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Anne Spencer in her Garden

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Lynn

When I began this project about ten years ago, I knew that it was a huge task to attempt to portray the dress of older American women in all their diversity. Although I’ve tried to include older women of color, … Continue reading →

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Book Review–The 1950s in Vogue: The Jessica Daves Years by Rebecca C. Tuite

Posted on April 29, 2020 by Lynn

This is what the cover of my copy of The 1950s in Vogue looks like—no book title, no author, and no indication of the fact that the book is actually about Vogue editor, Jessica Daves.  Perhaps this is a new … Continue reading →

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Pola Stout in Pola Stout

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Lynn

Since Lizzie Bramlett of the blog The Vintage Traveler has been covering the fascinating work of Hollywood designer Adrian, I remembered an old post I wrote about one of his main textile designers, Pola Stout. I accidentally eliminated it some … Continue reading →

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