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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: textile patterns
A Very Colorful Kitchen
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
Ukrainian American Women, 1938
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
Mother at the Old Farm
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
Ohio Blue–What Older Women Wore in 1968
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
Dots and Dashes, 1935
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
A Fabulous House Dress, Early 1920s
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
Gramie and Grampi Cut the Cake, 1960
“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
Mother and Daughter on a Windy Day
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
Bolero Style, Late 1940s
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
Pattern Mixing, Early 20th Century Edition
A quick glance at fashion pages these days shows that pattern mixing–combing gingham with florals or dots with plaids–is on trend right now. You might think it is all part of the “anything goes” style philosophy of the current era. … Continue reading