Tag Archives: textile patterns

Mother Bloor in Life Magazine, 1938

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Lynn

You are forgiven for not knowing who Mother Bloor (Ella Reeves Bloor, 1862-1951) is, even though she got her own page of photos in Life magazine in 1938 on the occasion of her 76th birthday.  One of the United States’ … Continue reading →

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A Very Colorful Kitchen

Posted on May 19, 2022 by Lynn

For those fond of pattern mixing, here is one for you!  We have plaids and geometrics on the walls and floors, flowers on the table and apron, a paisley dress, and a figurative drawing on the curtains.  In short, there … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, General | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Ukrainian American Women, 1938

Posted on March 12, 2022 by Lynn

According to the caption, this photo documents a political meeting of Ukrainian American women in 1938.  What was it about?  Politics in their homeland?  It was before the start of the Second World War, but after the Great Famine of … Continue reading →

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Mother at the Old Farm

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Lynn

The polka dot dress!  I think of this as the archetypal dress of the 1930s, when polka dots were everywhere.  This particular outfit has some fancy details.  The dress itself appears to have a halter strap around the neck—or is … Continue reading →

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Ohio Blue–What Older Women Wore in 1968

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Lynn

One fascinating source of information on older women’s dress are dissertations written by students in Home Economics programs. One 1968 thesis by Alicia Pieper for Kent State University seems custom made for this blog. Her focus was on older women … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Dots and Dashes, 1935

Posted on August 14, 2021 by Lynn

Well, this much we know about Mrs. A. T. Hermann—she liked jewelry.  I count one choker, two necklaces, and one pin.  She must have dressed up for the photo.  I imagine that the trim on her exuberant bow is made … Continue reading →

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A Fabulous House Dress, Early 1920s

Posted on May 22, 2021 by Lynn

What an amazing outfit—but where did it come from?  I turned to the experts at the Vintage Fashion Guild for help.  Jonathan Walford, noted fashion historian and head of the Fashion History Museum in Canada, came back with the most … Continue reading →

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Gramie and Grampi Cut the Cake, 1960

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Lynn

“Gramie and Grampi with the cake Annie made for you,” reads the message on the back of this photo.  At first I thought this might be an anniversary celebration cake for the older couple, but the caption tells a different … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Mother and Daughter on a Windy Day

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Lynn

What a difference in style between mother and daughter!  The mother wears either a shirtwaist dress or a shirt and skirt combination in a conservative polka dot pattern.  From this angle her boots look almost flat.  Maybe she had problem … Continue reading →

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Bolero Style, Late 1940s

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Lynn

I know better than to comment on women’s style choices, since we are now in the era of “anything goes.”  If I’m honest, however, I think this woman is dressing a little young for her age.  Everything about her outfit … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s | Tagged , , | 6 Comments