Wednesday, June 19, 2013

HOW WE DRESSED IN THE 1940's AND 1950's. WHAT WE HAVE LOST

 
The late 1940's to mid-1950's. Montreal, Canada. 
 
The way we dressed back then reflected our attitude, just as the way people dress today reflects their attitude.
 
A teacher came into the class in a simple dress or suit, usually with her hair well-groomed. Look at how teachers dress today.
 
We called our teachers "Miss" or "Mrs". not "Hey!"
 
Springtime - Passover. Easter. We got new shoes. We walked on Park Avenue with our parents or, as teens, with friends.
 
We wore white shoes or shiny brown penny loafers or black patent leather baby doll shoes, dainty socks, straw hats with flowing ribbons, pretty dresses, or ballerina skirts with Gibson Girl blouses and short white gloves. Our hair was washed and combed and held in place by barrets or ribbons. We had bathed and been treated to bath salts or a soft spray of cologne. We smelled nice. Mothers enjoyed hugging us.
 
We paraded up and down Park Avenue. We were proud to be seen. We were proud of our parents. Much has changed since then. We have gained a lot, but we have lost so much.
 

3 comments:

Phyllis Carter said...

When I was a girl, bath salts were used to soften and perfume our bath water, not to ingest and kill us.

Ms. Doubt49 said...

Phyllis, you are me. The new shoes bit, the parading up and down Park Avenue. I remember I must have been about 4 or 5 years of age and I received the biggest spanking of my life right on Park Avenue. My dad had enough of me sticking out my tongue in disrespect to every gray haired person I saw on the street.. Yikes!

Phyllis Carter said...

Thanks for writing Ms. Doubt. Sounds like your Dad was tough but well intentioned. In the "olden days" parents didn't always understand that violence begets violence. They worked hard and just did the best they could.