After receiving a wonderful comment (which follows) from one of my readers, Dianne, I had to reprint it here. I hope that she does not mind, but her recounting of a day in 1955 was so perfect, I felt it needed to be addressed.
I was so inspired by her glimpse into her past that I felt I had to add these photos I found. They are NOT Dianne's, but they had a feeling, to me, of her day recounted. I hope you enjoy it.
To 50's gal and all: I will be very glad to tell you why 1955 was my favorite year. I was in high school in 1955 and it seemed liked a period of time when everything was exactly as it should be. Have you ever experienced that? While 1955 actually straddled two school years, they were both great. I loved my teachers, my classes, and had some wonderful times with my friends. I had my favorite teacher for homeroom and English class. We were studying Chaucer, lots of Shakespeare, the Globe theater, and English poets and their poems.
I loved every minute of it. Perhaps if I share a favorite weekend it will help you understand. My girlfriend and I had planned a special weekend with me spending Friday and Saturday night there. I always loved being at her home and to this day it remains one of my favorite houses. It was a large two story house with a lot craftsman style. The living room was dark green with a great deal of crisp white woodwork,a white mantel, and white craftsman style build in bookcases with glass doors.
The comfortable sofa and chairs were slipcovered in a softly muted large floral print. It was our plan to take the bus downtown on Saturday morning to buy matching outfits.
We had each saved $2.98 to buy gray corduroy bermuda shorts and pink knee socks (probably about $.59). It was one of those beautiful October days when the sky was a perfect blue with fluffy (cumulus) clouds. We got home and changed into our matching outfits: pink sweaters, gray corduroy bermuda shorts (they had a very different cut than shorts today), pink knee socks, and penny loafers. After lunch, we headed off (walking) to the neighbor soda fountain for dessert.
Two happy teenaagers getting a strawberry ice cream cone and a vanilla fountain Pepsi. When we got home her father was finished with his Saturday chores and offered to teach us how to waltz. He was a distinguished looking man, silver hair and also a silver gray mustache. He had a beautiful speaking voice. A record was put on and we took many turns waltzing around that attractive living room with this gentle man. Of course we were so pleased we had gotten these special outfits to wear on this beautiful October day. That night we attended a party (we did not wear our great outfits, we were dressed up) and that gallant man escorted us to the family car to drop us off at the party. 
This October 2009, it will be 54 years ago that two excited high school girls spent an absolutely perfect Saturday afternoon waltzing around a living room with a distinguished gentleman. By 1965 that world didn't exist any more; it was as obselete as the dinasaur. I do not mean any disrespect to those who love the 1960's and the bright,happy colors of that time. Most likely teenagers today wouldn't have a clue how to understand that day, and might even ridicule it. But for me, my heart belongs in 1955 when I wore full skirts with crinolines that rustled and swished when I walked and could enjoy a day like that October Saturday. That day is firmly fixed in my Happy Place Memories. Best wishes to all and thank you for reading about one of my favorite days and hope it helps you understand why I love 1955. DianneThis made me, again, think of a 1950’s teens wardrobe. How I honestly feel that a teen girl then was really given the opportunity to dress for fun and for herself, not to be ‘sexy for boys’.
Compare that with these modern fashions 
Again, I am not a prude and in fact I am only getting to realize that the 1950’s really was not restrictive except in the way that it restricted what men could stare at. There really is a truth to being treated the way you represent yourself. One of my friends told me she watched some tv show about modern teens in abusive (as in beating and broken limbs) relationships increasing. I am not saying, put on a puffy dress and you get respected, but there is an element in the way one feels and represents oneself in their clothes. Then, the fashion allowed one to be ‘cool’ in the latest style while still having fun with fashion in a way that skimpy sexy clothes that aren’t ‘situation specific’ can be. I don’t know, maybe I am just rambling or overheated from all my packing, what do any of you think?
David Hockney was born on July 9, 1937, in Bradford, England. This is a painting of his father. Somehow I thought it fit with our dear friend Diane’s story, as this was painted in 1955 and it is of a distinguished father. I find I am struck by the color and style of this Hockney. I have been tempted and drawn, of late, to return to my paint pots and canvas. I have not, as yet, done so. But, somehow deep inside is boiling up ideas that I can take to the canvas from this year. The ideas and ideals, the skills and respect that has been growing for this lost generation needs expressing somehow.
I have mentioned Mark Rothko in the past and this painting is from 1955. I have to say it has come to mean to me, somehow, all that I loathe of what is to become in the art world. The over painted expression of the “I” over the viewer. The importance of the artist’s ‘feeling and moment’ over the response required from the viewer. To me it has come to represent the laziness and unaccountability of the modern world. “Why should I work hard to represent an emotion or object or time” the artist might be seeming to say. “I don’t have to worry about how the viewer responds, let them figure out what THEY see”. Just my opinion.
This painting, also made in 1955, has much allegory and yet can be viewed in its beauty of color, form and composition. He was part of a time when industrilzation was seen as the god and beacon of new man. He often chose to view the changing world much the way I have come to see it. The corporation and greed over human dignity. His beliefs were to get him into trouble in the post WWII era time of the “Red Scare”. His brother, blacklisted screenwriter and movie director Herbert Biberman, was one of the Hollywood 10, jailed for contempt in refusing to answer congressional inquiries about his socialist political affiliations. I feel, in this case, I can see and feel now much more of that world in an image such as this than I would ever take away from a Rothko. In a sense, Rothko and later, I feel, Warhol, represented that very thing they may have meant to poke fun at:over-produced un-indvidualized art and craft. Mass produced images and non-specific almost machine done productions. There is much of the mirror in art, don’t you think?Well, no recipes or cleaning tips this time around. I do have a funny story (though it wasn’t at the time) of an incident I had with a cake, a hot humid night, and preparing for baked goods for my hubby to take to work. I shall recount that. I also promised to talk about 1950’s beauty tips and products, I too will get to that, don’t think I forgot.
Well, until later then, have a great day and keep homemaking!
I too am no prude, but some of the things I see young kids- like 8-10 wear are shocking. I mean, I figure teenagers will always dress with a little rebel in them, but 8 year olds with denim skirts that show their panties- this is crazy. BTW, I saw this outfit for real at a graduation from Hebrew school. Not kidding. My husband thinks I am crazy and because we live in a beach community the rules should be more relaxed. I agree and think flip-flops are fine for school- but hoochie shorts- I dont think so.
ReplyDeleteThanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife
I agree. The other day I saw an 8 year old girl in a skimpy bikini in a BOOK STORE! Not at the beach. True, we live in a summer place area, but to wear a bikini with NO cover up to the store, she might as well been in her underthings. I think this is number one: dangerous. People keep their children indoors and locked up to protect them from 'bad people' then parade them around like sexual objects in public! And two: not very sterile and Three: what does this teach the little girl about what is appropriate both behavior and fashion. I think the way we act and respond to one another is 100% about our fashion. It is not pc to say so, but we DO judge the book by the cover! Right now we seem to either be a book about slobs or about sex, neither books I want to be in!
ReplyDeleteas a mom of 4 daughters, i can tell you the state of today's fashion is absolutely deplorable! i will not and cannot take my kids to the malls to shop, as not only the clothes, but the shop displays border on pornographic. i too, believe fashion should be fun, and an expression of oneself. but there is quite a difference between expression and exhibitionism. most of what my girls wear comes from the consignment shops, where i can find modest, good quality, pretty clothes~at a fraction of original retail. my son has nearly the same problem, as many of the boys' clothes are plastered with rude slogans, or skulls, and are just plain floppy and saggy. if i see one more pair of pre-ripped, pre-faded, drooping pair of pants adorned with fire and skeletons, i think i might scream.
ReplyDeletei too, have always sort of dressed against the grain of fashion, wearing vintage and thrift when the limited/victoria's secret look was the rage...but now it is almost necessary to do so to maintain any sort of propriety!
i also agree about the art world. as an artist/art history buff, i have studied all the whys and wherefores of each movement, and i am saddened by my contemporaries' distaste for anything but what seems sometimes to be a spewage of whatever is their present petulance. to buck all tradition and to turn what others hold dear on its head, while certainly freedom of expression, is not necessarily art. i guess i am a formalist at heart, and as you mentioned, elements of design, as well as message and meaning are what make great art, lasting art. i love to take my family to the museum to see the current exhibits, as well as the permanent collection, but more and more, i find us skipping the contemporary wing...it is largely uninteresting compared to the, say, dutch masters, and quite frankly, i have the same problem as at the mall...artworks with themes that just are NOT appropriate for children!!
thank you for reprinting dianne's comments. it is re-inspiring me to forge ahead in making those kinds of memories for my family. we listen to jazz on sundays, take rides and walks together, have friends in for dinner...that is the stuff an idyllic childhood is made of..not gadgetry and junk food. and thanks also, for remembering my question~no hurry on that. i know you are very busy with your move. and good luck as you go along. xo
I love the pictures of wholesome kids having fun. Luckily my kids prefer more classic clothing and don't feel comfortable showing a lot of skin. Last week when I told them we had to go to the store on the way home from the pool the girls both asked if we could stop home first and change instead of wearing their cover ups over their swimsuits to the store. Quite a difference from bikini girl at the book store.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I mentioned this before but I once saw string bikinis for girls size 8 at a store at the mall. How disturbing. My girls were surprised- they had never seen them before because their mother doesn't wear them either. My 8 year old thought they would fall off and would be uncomfortable. She's right, in my opinion.
I hope that a positive side of this downturn in our economy is modest styles coming back into vogue. It's possible if young people realize that they can't go to work in jeans and a low cut tank top and be taken seriously, and therefore keep their jobs. I'm not saying we should dress Victorian or be covered according to the requirements of some religious groups but we need to re-learn to dress appropriately. When you go to work, look professional. When you go to school look like you're there to learn, not play on the playground all day. When you're running errands look nice- not like you're mopping your kitchen floor. Now of course when you ARE mopping your kitchen floor wear something you can move in and can get dirty. But when you go pick up your kids at school or run to the post office brush your hair and put on fresh clothes. I understand that sometimes we are pressed for time and on occasion you may have to leave the house looking less than together but in general this shouldn't be so hard. I think it's just become too easy to look sloppy, or slutty. ( I'm sorry to use that word but some of the clothes for woman are just that. It's not sexy, it's slutty!)
The worst is parents who think this look is cute. There used to be children's fashion and adult fashion. Now it's all the same, just in different sizes. Like those string bikinis at that children's store. Or even something simple as gym shoes. I see little girls with these Puma shoes and Ugg (UGLY) boots, both of which are quite pricey. Why does a child need to have such expensive shoes when their foot will grow out of them within a year. One friend said she bought her 6 year old daughter the Uggs because she didn't want her daughter to be the only one in her class without them. And people wonder why we're a society in debt. Sigh..
Does a 44 year old woman need to be wearing the same tight tie-dyed peace sign tank top as her 15 year old daughter? This strange fashion has made the mothers look immature too. I think 50's gal said in another post that it's like we're supposed try and look the same age. If you're older you're to dress younger and if you're a child your fashion goal is to look 20. It's just nuts.
Fortunately I live in a town that is somewhat conservative. There are those who wear their tennis skirts for more than just for tennis matches but rarely do I see anyone looking trashy. Even the bikinis at the pool and beach are pretty (not slutty) and offer enough coverage.
I've ranted enough I suppose for one night.
S
I am reminded of my cousin and myself. She is about 10 years younger than me and got quite deep into the 'grunge' look in the 90's. Now mind you, this little lady looks alot like the dancer/actress Vera-Ellen. VERY pretty girl. However, they came for a visit and she had dyed her hair red with kool-aid and was dressed in ripped, dirty looking, ill fiting clothing that I would have relegated to the rag bag. Her mom and dad were in fits about it, and had been having numerous arguments about her taste in clothing.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I took her out to get some dinner and a coffee (and get her away from my grandma who was about to have a coronary from looking at her)...We talked over the meal and she asked me how I liked her new look. I was still dressed from work (bank teller) in a sweet dress of blue with white polka dots that buttoned up the front with an A-line skirt. Very retro. I told her the truth....
I thought she looked bad and was doing herself a disservice, but hey, if you are happy, what do I care.
I asked her, why she was dressed like that, though. She said "To make a statement."
About what, I asked. And she went on about unjustice in the world and blah blah blah. I then questioned her as to whom she felt was going to listen to her when she was dressed like that. Most people who looked at her thought she was just a punk and had nothing of value to offer. Look at the really powerful people in the world, they dress WELL. They are clean, well presented, speak well, know the topic of what they are talking about. And you listen to them because of it.
"Wouldn't it be better to present yourself well, and then argue for your cause in an effective manner, rather than this and be ignored as another dumb teenager?" I asked.
She went home, washed out the kool-aid, got rid of the grungy clothing and cleaned her act up. Her mom called me and asked me what I had said to her.
In short, I had told her that if you dress and act like a lady, you get treated like one.
I have a 9yo daughter (she is my youngest child), and we gave up on purchasing clothes for her from the shops about three years ago. In fact, without her I would have never taken up sewing again. I had to begin to make her dresses, as there were none to purchase once she was larger than a size 6x. I have several patterns that I make in different fabrics and fabric weights and we purchase her tights from several online retailers. I have even been able to figure out how to make her warm and cool slips :-)
ReplyDelete~Mrs. J~
great comments! What I want to know is when did 'lady' become a bad word? It seems it only applies today if you are actually born with the title and even then matters little. There is a certain lady (of the realm in UK) who has done her share of Paris Hiltonesque bikini/slut photos. I, too, don't want to seem that I want everyone to wear victorian clothes or have some strict fashion based on religion or something, but it almost seems there is less freedom in fashion in a way that you are expected to dress in jeans and be fairly slovenly/casual or people will stare at you. It is true you can be strong and not care, as I usually do, but that is not for everyone, so there are girls out there that would LOVE to dress with some fun and frills but probably just keep putting on the tshirts and jeans and schlepping through their days. I don't want to force people to do anything, but I want them to care and respect themselves and their own position in the world enough to make it look like they care and to allow the new generations of future women to feel the power of dress and clothes in their own right for fun and joy and not in the need to merely conform to some over sexualized role. It is not an odd coincidence that there are now 12 and14 year old teens pregnant and not so many in 1955. Sure, there may be more freedoms but mixed in with that is a misunderstanding of what it is to be responsible and adult. Instead we are just making more and more big babies who grow up to have more babies. We are like a nation of children in so many ways, "it's not my fault, I want whatever I want I don't care what happens, she has it so I want it..." It makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteI have to chime in with the other moms about the immodest clothing available for young girls and teens. Just terrible.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that offends me is when people come to church dressed very casually. To me it shows disrespect. Some people might say, well, at least they are in church...I believe in dressing appropriately for the situation, and when attending church, especially. It doesn't mean we have to be in expensive, brand new, designer dresses, but I don't want to see someone's navel while I'm worshipping the creator. Just my two cents.
and again, though it is nothing against anyone's religion, even without such thing as religion or beliefs, we should want to look and feel proud and respected. Rather you are an atheist or a baptist we should dress for the occasion and not feel it is a chore but a fun priveldge. Look at our poor muslim sisters, there is a restriction! I want the joy of expression through the fun of clothes and you cannot tell me that jeans and tshirts everyday is fun. I even beg to differ when people chime in on comfort, I have cleaned and moved a lawnmower in a skirt! It was not hard and in fact felt rather cool. Obviously I wear jeans when I work in the yard and garden and sometimes when I clean, but it isn't about being comfortable only we seem to have that down pat, but to be pretty and special and feel we are deserving of that moment in our life when we walk in a room, all eyes turn and we know our hair is in place, clothes pretty and we walk differntly, strong and proud. That is a part of womanhood that I think we need to celebrate more. Surely people would think, well being a woman isn't just dressing up, but you know what it is a big part of our heritage. Our ancestry of woman kind, from lowliest servant to highest queen, like to feel pretty when she could. Now, we can, we have more time and more labor saving devices and more opportunity, embrace your womanhood and express yourself it is not shameful to be pretty!
ReplyDeleteHeck, I would just like to see people dressed appropriately to eat in a restaurant! Beloved Husband took us all out for lunch last weekend and the patrons at this particular diner were so scantily dressed and sloppily dressed - i wondered why they had come out of their homes to eat? Flip Flops, tank tops that showed ladies entire brassieres, and why some men think that we all need to know what they think is sexy on their tshirts???
ReplyDelete~Mrs.J~
Can I just tell you all how happy to read your responses and to know I am not the only one who feels this way? Often when I dress for work, usually a skirt, or very dressy pants, coworkers respond with "what are you so dressed up for?" It really is crazy how people dress at work, church, and out and about today. I am so pleased to know others think like I do. 50's girl, I know you started this for yourself but by blogging and sharing you are helping us all! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteBarb from NY
@Kelly: I agree with most of your statements, but what is wrong with skulls?
ReplyDeleteI am a 14-year-old Goth girl, so I'm teased about my clothing a lot. Among the articles of clothing which are apparently not acceptable are one-piece bathing suits, opaque tights, long skirts, dresses, trousers longer than seven inches, anything which was not made in a sweatshop and sold by Aberzombie, and anything which does not have Edward Cullen plastered all over it (but I digress.) It's hard to find clothes which are modest, attractive, and black. So yeah, I understand the whole thing here. I just thought an actual teenager's perspective would be useful.
Fabulous post! Can't agree more about the teens today. Less skin please! Actually, there are lots of older gals that show too much skin too - it's not just the teenagers.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have a casual lifestyle, there are always things a lady can dress for: dinner or lunch dates, theatre, music concert, afternoon tea...I can easily be sloppy going for groceries, but it's so lovely to be able to live in an age where we can access vintage clothing (any clothing and lots of it) and dress appropriately.
mad maudlin-I agree that I certainly would not like to see people dress more from sweatshop clothes such as gap and walmart, but for example, why is do you think that you are drawn to the skull image? It is not an attack but a sincere question. Is it more popular due to the recent Pirate movies? Is it suppose to in some way represent a 'counter culture' imgae. I hate to say it, but even goth seems main stream now. I know this sounds odd, but don't you think if you wore a black dress say sleevless with white buttons on the front with a full skirt with a petticoat and black flats you would both be wearing black and definitely be 'alternative' as I am sure no one is wearing that vintage 1950s dress to your school. Sometimes I think teens might feel as if they are being 'rebellious' but are in fact merely buying into a fad of other teens. If there is say 10 girls in skull shirts, safetypinned pants etc does it really make a statement about oneself? or about following a group? I just want everyone to look and follow their own heart. IF you honestly feel a particular reason for an affinity to a skull, by all means wear it, we are in a time when we can wear what we want, but in that same vein we should also feel, if we so choose, to wear a complete vintage outfit, gloves hat shoes hair everything and feel good AND realize we are actually making MORE of a counter culture statement than flame pants, skull shirts, or anything which is just mass produced in factories by children and sold in malls. Please don't think I am picking on you, only I just wanted your opinion. I love that all of us can discuss different views and try to understand where each other is coming from.
ReplyDelete@50s dress you described: I have one a bit like that, actually. It's got a white bodice with short puffy sleeves and a black skirt, about knee-length, with little white buttons, ruffles down the front of the bodice, and a wide black belt which fits just under my ribs. I wear it if I want to show off a necklace or earrings.
ReplyDelete@Skulls: I wear skull and bones patterns to pay homage to an important bodily system. It is much better than wearing shirts emblazoned with kidneys, is it not? And yes, I'm a rabid raving Pirates fangirl, but that's just another reason to wear skulls!
@Counter-culture: Yes, Goth is occasionally dragged kicking and screaming out of the crypt by mainstream fashion. However, here's an article by one of my favorite bloggers that explains better than I ever could: http://gothic-charm-school.com/charm/?p=60
I don't dress as a Goth just for the shock value, or because it's "edgy" (whatever that means), or because wearing black on the outside matches teh dark weariness of my soul (ugh!) but because I like it and a black hat with a huge purple plume on makes me easy to find in a crowd. Besides, if I gave up something whenever it came into fashion, there wouldn't be a lot left that I could wear, would there? Thanks for responding!
That is really interesting and I have to say the idea of your black dress and your lovely hat with a feather sounds nice. I would rather see teens dressing in all sorts of individual styles that represent 'fun' to them, that can mean serious fun too (though what we think serious when we are 14 does change as we get older believe me)than just strictly revealing and sexualized. I think idividuality and adornment are important aspects of being human. I think what we say to the world through what we wear is important and sometimes as important as a painting or sculpture. It sounds as if you dress for yourself and not to be 'sexy' that seems very wise. I also have to say I am glad to have someone 14 read my blog, I am honored by your interest.
ReplyDeleteOh, is your dress a Gothic Lolita style? Just curious. I have a niece that was rather into that. I found it endearing and more 'fashionable' than jeans and t's.
ReplyDeleteOver at homelivinghelper Lady Lydia has been doing posts of her dresses if anyone's interested. Thanks for all your do 50sgal. Love it!
ReplyDeleteDonna and all your faithful readers, you really should come and read all the wonderful stories of people's favourite childhood outfits, many from the fifties and early sixties. Little girls really do love clothes, pretty clothes.
ReplyDeletewww.littlejennywren.blogspot.com/2009/08/give-away-to-celebrate-big-50.html
@50sgal: I think of GothLoli as more of a Japanese thing, really. I'm actually a SteampunkFaerieCyberVictorianRomanticPerkyGoth, if a label must be put upon it. And yes, your blog's cool. I like the whole "living in the past" thing.
ReplyDeleteI was very happy to share a simple fun Saturday a friend and I had in 1955 in response to a question from 50s gal. I apologize for the errors (typos,missing words,etc). The only excuse I can offer is that I think fast,type fast, and foolishly didn't proof read. The pictures of the teenage clothes from the 50's are dead on. Even though most of the pictures are "posed", those are exactly the clothes you would have seen in any high school or junior high school. Regarding today's clothes in general, but specifically for little girls, how can any adult not have concern about them? To be blunt, some of the outfits look like those poor little girls are being fast-forwarded to a sleazy job on the Las Vegas strip. But interestingly, the last several years when I have walked through Target at back to school time, I noticed navy and white school uniforms that caught my eye. Navy pleated skirts,navy shorts (longer than short shorts),navy cardigans, and very nice little white cotton blouses with a Peter Pan
ReplyDeletecollar. Possibly a jumper, too. It crossed my mind that anyone could use them even if their daughter's school didn't use them as a uniform. You could change the buttons on the blouse, add appliques,or other trim. Of course, it would all hinge on your daughter wanting to wear them. The fifties clothes are my favorite of all time, but I know they aren't for everyone. Best Wishes to everyone and thank you to Lorie Bronson and the comment poster S for their kind words about that Saturday.
PS I wanted to add that I never look back at the 1950's with rose colored glasses; I am very well aware of the good, bad, and ugly of that time. Every decade has it's dark underbelly. But I have never understood why so many good things about that time weren't carried forward. I became a dedicated reader of this blog because the author was sincerely striving to glean understanding of a homemaker of that time and her world. She wrote that she thought society "threw the baby out with the bath water." I have used that expression endless times when I expressed my frustration at the direction of contemporary society. It is such a pleasure to read the comments of women much younger than I who express a desire for some of what I valued. Again, best wishes from Dianne
ReplyDeleteGreat vintage minds think alike LOL!
ReplyDeleteI took a book from 1960 with me on vacation and came across references to "appropriate" clothing for teenagers. I knew I wanted to do a post about it and when I got ready to put it together, I discovered you had written one as well!
My findings came from a book in a series called "Donna Parker."
If you'd like to read the excerpts, go to:
http://havenofhome.blogspot.com/2009/08/appropriate-clothes.html
Thanks for posting! I was born in 1953. Yes, it did feel, back then, that things were exactly as they should be. I left a couple of links to posts on my site on Roxanne's site (her comment is just above mine) in her comment section: my high school dress code from 1969 (we were late in becoming hippies) and a list of books from the 50's and early 60's, plus a link for chapters from the 1964 book, Secrets of Loveliness (click on that title on my sidebar). Thanks, again! I am a new follower!
ReplyDeleteto mad maudlin~no problem with skulls, per se. i have/had many friends who were punks, bikers, goth, and all the in-between. my point was only that i don't think the skull image is quite appropriate for little tiny kids in whom my personal goal is to instill a boundless joy. for me, the skull image does not foster or further that aim. i am glad you are here, and admire your articulate posts. good for you for not only looking how you choose regardless of peer pressure to look otherwise, and for knowing about why you want to be a certain way. no blind lemming are you! xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a GORGEOUS day Dianne spent back then. It made me feel good reading her story.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think Dianne herself is lovely lady whom I would love to hear more from!!! Could she be guest star?
How I adore that teenage-fashion! Pretty dresses, full circle skirts and the “floating” girl! It looked so beautiful back then, today all teenagers think they have to look like porn stars to be fashionable. What a pity!
In late Autumn, when you have moved and the garden season ends I’m sure you’ll find lots of time for painting again, and I look forward to seeing photos of your art. :)
Have a lovely weekend. :)
I'll go to a club meeting with my vintage car all the weekend, so nice!
PS: String bikinis for children are forbidden in Denmark! And I think it is great!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this girl-fashion issues, I'm glad I have a son. And he has a great style, he loves nice jeans and shirts, in all colours, and collects ties. He even wears hats! He wears them for daily use, but he also wears T-shirts with his jeans. During winter he has nice cardigans over the shirts. And best of all - it is his own ideas, not mine.
I would love to have our friend Dianne 'interviewed' if I can get my site up this fall. IT is a good idea for other homemakers past and present. I would be interested to hear what they have to say, wouldn't you?
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking to promote your brand in a unique way or want to add that special touch to your gifting solutions, an ideal option is to use customized gifts like t-shirts, pens, mugs, bags which have your company logo imprinted on them.
ReplyDeleteThis looks very professional and will create your brand awareness besides being the best way to add a personal touch to your special occasion or event.
Hi there - interested to hear the comments about children's clothes as we have been thinking about this here in New Zealand after we had a campaign to get rid of a range of T-shirts with a particularly offensive range of slogans on them. It was successful and they were taken off the shelves here and in Australia. National Council of Women were spearheading it because we had discussed the sexualisation of children, partly via consumer items quite recently. One thing I've been thinking about is that perhaps, as much as dressing children like little adults, we have been dressing adults as big children. Where once mid-teens looked forward to putting up their hair and letting down their dresses (remember Anne of Green Gables), now shorts and short skirts are as much an item of clothing for any age just about. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI agree anonymous and have, in fact, mentioned that before. Once adults were held to the standard and young people (teens) wanted to emulate them, now it is the other way around. I also noticed even Barbie dolls (which started in 1959) were once about playing at being a 'teen model' but you were practicing at being grown up and wearing grown up clothes and going out to a dance with ken, now barbies are either about some odd fairy wish (unrealistic) or very skanky and horrible whoreish. I am not a prude, but a trip to a toy store the other day left my jaw dropping at the dolls. I think we are so far removed from generations who actually had to grow up that the concept is foreign. I don't want to pick on the baby boomers again, but it seems that those 60's generations didn't want to grow up and therefore their offspring and so on did not get a chance to know what it meant to be a grown up. I think the way we live now and how we buy and act and spend as if we are all children who don't understand money and got into the cookie jar is only going to lead down a sorry path. At some point we will NEED grown ups again. I feel bad as the last 'grown up' generation slowly passes away or are put in nursing homes. The world is now fully at the control of the unbridaled children!
ReplyDeleteThis is SO fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteI just turned 18 and I LOVE vintage fashion! I recently attended 2 fashion fairs called "The Way We Wear" which allow plenty of those from the older generations to show and sell their clothing from their time. I got the most beautiful one piece bathers, handmade in Sydney. They are exactly the type from the 1950's, with the little frill attachement on the bottom of the bodice and beautiful colour green with cherries! I have so many full skirts, i'm in love with them.
I am actually doing a study for my final year of school that I am trying to bring back the fashion from the 1950's. I am about to design it, thinking of a beautiful frilly dress. I am using this article for my study, its so helpful to know others feel the same way!
I can't believe what's gone wrong with fashion today! My younger sister, who is 16, shocks me with what she loves to wear. Tights and oversized tshirts or singlets. And always shows so much clevage and it is getting her into trouble. Boys and older men oogle at her in the wrong way, and she is getting unwanted attention. Boys don't treat her respectively and she hates this. She also dosen't respect herself.
I hate the lazy fashion of today. It makes me so sad and what has happened and why women persist to dress like they do.
In the 1950's women dressed feminine and womanly. Today women dress slutty and skanky. Is this the new idea of femininity? I hope not!
I love to dress up and wear plenty of dresses and beautiful flowing skirts. I love skirts with lots of pleats, they are so feminine and beautiful. As a woman, I want to look feminine! I can be beautiful without showing all my assets.
Your stories sound perfect. Wish I was a woman of your time.
Thankyou so much :)
Alicia
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ReplyDeleteSo happy to read there are other women that think the same about fashion that my daughter and I do. Since I was born in the mid fifties I only experienced some of the gorgeous dresses from that era as a child. I remember them and how when I went to school my mother would attach a hankie with a safety pin to the side of my dress at the waist. My daughter and I would absolutely love if the fashions and culture of the fifties could be here today. In my memory, my childhood of the late fifties was a paradise. People had self respect and respected others, it was not a narcissistic society as it is today. We both are at times envious of my mother because she used to have so many feminine, stylish clothes and shoes and she had the ideal marriage where she was treated like a queen. I am not saying we are jealous or resentful but understandably envious. I think the women were smarter than the feminists of today for knowing the best arrangement is for the woman to stay at home and raise the kids and take care of the housework, cooking and so forth. Now with the feminists wanting to be men and take over their jobs it means women are expected to have a job AND work at home too, basically two jobs. If we are lucky enough to be able to stay at home we are made to feel guilty as if we are lazy or abnormal because we actually enjoy doing housework. The women of the fifties weren't made to feel insignificant or lazy if they didn't work (outside the home). They put all their energy into making a home for their family which is what is lacking in today's society. About the fashion though, at least my daughter got to wear a beautiful 50'ish gown for her graduation while all the other girls received their diploma in shorts/tanks or T shirts and flip flops. She did not care about not fitting in and wore what she wanted to. She always says "I think I was born in the wrong time frame, I would fit in better with the fifties". Me too ; )
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