Everyday Women of the Golden Era

[dhermann1]

My mom and her mother, near Saratoga, around 1927:

Grandma strikes a funny pose. She looks like she's having fun!

And here's my grandmother about 20 years later, maybe 1948, at the helm of their little fishing boat. Note that she's got her hand on about a 1 1/2 horse power Sea King outboard motor. She still looks like she's having fun. It wasn't till I scanned this shot and looked at it blown up, that I noticed what an elegant jacket she's wearing. After my grandfather died, she kept the boat a while, and I remember lovely evening putt putt rides in it.

 

[dhermann1]

My mom, at various stages of development

Around age 3 she strikes a pose that she frequently struck throughout her life:

At age about 7 or 8, she has a tete a tete with a cow:

At age 10, in 1930, she's her father's daughter, with full fishing gear:

At age 11 she gives a good simulation of a young lady:

Likewise at age about 14. The dog's name was Toodles:

 

[dhermann1]

Don't let it fool you. Here she is in her school play, "Sailor Maids", age 13 in 1933. Wouldn't want to mess with this adolescent!

But eventually she really did become a young lady. Here she is on the Italian Riviera, in 1937. The halter top she's wearing was one of several garments she had made by a local seamstress before their trip, a not uncommon thing to do in those years, even for the middle classes. It had a little sort of bolero jacket that went with it.

 

[cecil]

dhermann1 I love every single one fo those photos. Thanks so much for sharing them. Beautiful!


Here's my grandmother on her horse, '40s.

Her sister, Niki. '40s too.

 

[miss_elise]

great photos dhermann and cecil!

 

[cherry lips]

I love the colors in this pic:

I found it here http://glamourdaze.blogspot.com

 

[dhermann1]

5 Dithridge sisters circa 1948

Here's my grandmother (wife of my avatar granddad) and 4 of her 5 sisters.
L to R, Caroline, b 1870, Greek and Latin scholar; Rachel, b 1873, English teacher, pageant stager; my grandmother, Ethelwyn, b 1885 (the baby), English teacher; Alice, b about 1877, she had the sense to get married, move to California and raise a nice big family; and Mary, b 1871, MD, University of Michigan 1901. Missing, Aunt Harriet, b about 1876. She was in Japan, being a Pentacostal missionary for 60 years. Quite a bunch.

 

[dhermann1]

Not One Too Many

I found the above picture in another of the many, many many, boxes of old family stuff I have. This poem was in the box, as well. It's by Rachel Dithridge (see above) about the birth of her sister Alice (see above.) I surmise that the 34 at the top means it was written in 1934. But I have no way of knowing for sure. And yes, I came all unglued when I read it.

 

[Lillemor]

Thanks drhermann1 for posting all those great pictures. That is truly an inspiring picture cherry lips. That's pretty much how I dress but I wonder if I've been doing it all "wrong" by tucking tops into skirts and wearing belts over the skirts? Well, I think I look best wearing skirt and top combinations that way. I thought they always wore something under their V-necks until as recently as the 1980s. I usually wear a turtle neck if anything under V-necks if it's too cold but I'm just as happy wearing a V-neck by itself.

 

[Frankly Scarlet]

On my last visit to Barcelona's flea market I found some picture, these are a few of them. Some of them depict the very same woman, so I guess she had only a dress dress. How do you call a dress that was only used on special occasions?
These are all spanish pictures.

On the back: October 1945

On the back: 28-8-47

 

[cherry lips]

Franky Scarlet, I love this one!

 

[Frankly Scarlet]

Cherry_lips yes! this one and the picnic one are two of my favs!

 

[Inky]

I know many of us read Shorpy.com but in case you don't - check out this lovely lady's amazing shoes (and the hairnet she is wearing) circa 1923:

Original image here (and full size view too!).

 

[Lauren]

Oh, that's fabulous. I'd dress like that every day if I could!

 

[ColeV48]

My Grandmother around 1944 I think:

Next time I'm back home I'll have to get the picture of her "wedding dress". A very cute soft pink suit (I wish she had kept it!).

 

[Neany73]

What wonderful pictures! I must find my gran's pictures and scan them.

 

[retrogirl1941]

Does anyone have pictures of artist or bohemian types during the 30s and
40's? I would love to find some different looks for everyday dressing.I don't want to look crazy but unique while at WWII events and such.

Samantha

 

[lolly_loisides]

Women in bathing suits on Collaroy Beach, NSW Australia 1908

 

[HannahJane]

Women in bathing suits on Collaroy Beach, NSW Australia 1908

I love this picture! They all look like they are having such a good time!

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I found these stunners on the Duryea, PA Historical Website:

I love the suspender skirt!! And the woman on the right's slip is showing.

I will certainly be getting some stripey socks in my future...

I am so in love with the girl on the right. I LOVE long tight skirts and high, white socks with sensible shoes. How I dress on a daily basis.

My favourite photo. I love the "slob." And the big mama! And I love how the dress on the gal to the left doesn't quite fit her bust and her shoes just don't go with anything. I love it.