Tag Archives: jewelry

Women and War Bonds, 1917

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Lynn

When women are depicted in political posters, they are most often young and appealing or heavily idealized, like Liberty herself.  I’ve looked at a lot of war posters in my day—they are a convenient teaching tool—and the older woman in … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910s | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Vintage Caturday

Posted on January 11, 2020 by Lynn

In honor of the social media phenomenon of “Caturday,” I am contributing this wonderful vintage photo from 1963. I know for a fact, however, that the photo was taken on a Sunday.  There is a short, short story written on … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s | Tagged | 5 Comments

Elsie de Wolfe Recommends…

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Lynn

Perhaps you don’t know the name Elsie de Wolfe (ca 1859-1950).  However, if you like Cole Porter maybe you have heard her other name, Lady Mendl.  In the 1934 song “Anything Goes,” her athletic skills make a brief appearance: “When … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, General | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Miss Preckle of Denver 1923

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Lynn

As much as I love the spontaneity of family snap shots, the quality of professional work can really be astounding.  This luminous photograph comes from the estate of a Denver studio photographer.  You can almost count each sequin on her … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s, General | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Older Women in Shorts–Helen Hokinson’s View

Posted on July 14, 2018 by Lynn

After my last post on the proper etiquette of shorts, I thought I would reprise this satirical drawing by cartoonist Helen Hokinson.   She had a keen eye for the missteps of women of a certain class (and post-menopausal heft).  One … Continue reading →

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Do You Have a Signature Piece?

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Lynn

Georgia O’Keeffe did.  Part of her self styling for photographs was a whimsical pin made for her by Alexander Calder in 1934.  It spelled out her initials, “OK.” However, she usually wore it vertically so that looked more abstract.  Unless … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Cheerful Granny Takes Flight, 1953

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Lynn

The cheerful granny, an enduring image in American advertising, gets to take a trip on an airplane in the Saturday Evening Post in June 1953.  Since she was often used to introduce technological innovations to the middle class, like high … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Panama-Pacific Exhibition, Part Two: The Shirtwaist

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Lynn

  While some women dressed for the Panama Exhibit as if going to a party, others chose everyday wear. To the left of the fancy matrons in the middle of the photo are three older women wearing shirtwaist and skirt … Continue reading →

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Florida Flapper, 1924

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Lynn

This woman isn’t really a flapper, a term most accurately applied only to very young women. However, she has certainly embraced key elements of the 1920s style.  She wears a dropped waist dress decorated with pleats and pintucks to add … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Miss Allen in 1955

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Lynn

Although I know nothing about the woman depicted in this photo, beyond her name and the date noted on the back, I am quite certain that she was a free spirit.  Her dress is a very interesting shape, fitted through … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, General | Tagged , | 1 Comment