Punch Looks at Photographers
Since we have been looking at old cabinet cards in the last two posts, I thought it would be a good time to look at some illustrations of photographers from the 1862 Punch… Continue reading
Category Archive: Historic Clothing
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If I Lived 130 Years Ago
My mental image of myself would be something like this: Or this: Or at the very least this: I would admire women dressed to the nines like this: But in reality, I would… Continue reading
August in the Archives
I live in Texas, and even though I usually spend a lot of time outdoors, in August, the heat gets to even me. So I set aside this month to stay indoors and… Continue reading
Greek Costume Stamps
In 2007, I got to go to Athens (the real one in Greece — we have one in Texas too but it’s not quite as famous) on very short notice. Usually when I… Continue reading
Creativity Triumphs – Theatre de la Mode
In the closing days of WWII in France, couturiers in Paris created an exhibit which would both “show the continuing vitality of the fashion industries” and raise money for war relief. After the… Continue reading
97 Years Ago Today
The original caption is “Women Rivet Heaters and Passers On, Ship Construction Work. Navy Yard, Pugent Sound, Washington.” Taken May 29, 1919. Most of them are wearing proper boots with heels, but a… Continue reading
Design Advice from the Dress Doctors
I cannot adequately express how much I love this book The Lost Art of Dress: The Women Who Once Made America Stylish. Author Linda Przybyszewski tells the story of the early 20th century… Continue reading
We May Be in Better Shape Than We Thought
If you bemoan your fitness level, you might be interested in the results of this fitness test from 1889: In order to ascertain the influence of tight clothing upon the action of the… Continue reading
Harvest Costumes from the 1930s and 40s
In this season of harvest, I bring you some creative costumes from the bountiful Rio Grande Valley of Texas. They were made in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, for the annual Birthday Party… Continue reading
“These Kids Today!” in 1862
Here is a look at precocious children from the past, courtesy of Punch magazine of London. As a former teacher, I can relate to this one, titled Missus-ism. I don’t know what “odd… Continue reading