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To contribute to this collective history project, send pictures and stories about the older women in your life to americanagefashion@gmail.com. The more information you can include (date, place, etc.), the better.-
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Tag Archives: hair
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
A Late Sixties Wedding
A sixties wedding! The puzzle is to figure out who is marrying whom. The tall couple on the right might be the best choice, since the woman’s tiara is the biggest. Would that make the shorter couple in the middle … Continue reading
Phyllis Diller, Happy Eccentric
There are many reasons to remember the comedian Phyllis Diller (1917-2012). She was the first well-known female standup comic in America; she had a long career in television and film; and she was an enthusiastic advocate of plastic surgery—theme for … Continue reading
Big Hair, Big Shoes 1960s
This wonderful photo was sent to me by Nann Hilyard, who has made several contributions to the blog. Although the Silver Slipper has now relocated to Missouri, in the 1960s it was a major attraction on the Los Vegas strip. … Continue reading
A Sewing Pattern for the Older Woman, ca. 1936
The gray haired woman on the envelope is the first clue that this pattern was aimed at an older clientele. There are others, though. The size—a 42 inch bust and 45 inch hips—is another indication, since women generally gain weight … Continue reading
“It’s Fine for Us,” Rural Electrification Poster
Graphic artist Lester Beall made a series of posters in the 1930s and 1940s advertising the goals of the Rural Electrification Administration. As the name implies, the New Deal Era program aimed to bring electricity to the countryside, which was … Continue reading
Grand Opening at the Waffle Shop, 1931
I chanced upon this wonderful photo in a search for polka dresses—a favorite theme of mine. You never know what you will find! There isn’t much of a backstory to the photo, but I imagine it was opening day at … Continue reading
New Year’s Eve, 1967
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
Redhead and Friends, early to mid-1960s
More big red hair! This was a lucky eBay find. If you’re interested in discovering your own treasures, the best search term is “beehive.” The updo is similar to the last one—a big pile of curls on top of the … Continue reading
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