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Florence MacLeod (Mrs. Charles
B. Wilson)
wearing a dress popular at the turn of the century
That was Then – This is Now
Late 1800s – 1920
Women: Pants, out of the question! Women wore ankle length skirts, several petticoats, and high buttoned boots, and a corset to keep the waist as thin as possible.
Men: Cotton or woolen slacks were worn, but the luxury of a zipper was not yet used. Little boys wore knickers (pants cut above the knees).
Both men and women wore gators of heavy felt or corduroy over their shoes in the cold weather.
Favorite tunes at the turn of the century were: “In the Good Old Summertime”; “Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet”; “Shine On Harvest Moon”; ‘The Glow Worm”; and “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”.
1920 – 1940s
The Dutch Bobb, the Empress Eugene, silk stockings and voile dresses were all the rage during this period of time.
Dresses were worn above the knee but each year the hem lowered.
Men’s styles were always much the same – the pant leg was a bit wider at this time. Men tended to wear hats. Teenage boys wore breeches with long socks.
The favorite tunes were: “Ain’t She Sweet”; “Sunny Side Up”; “Ma, He’s Making Eyes At Me”; “April Showers”; “Red Sails In The Sunset”; “Green Eyes”; “I Only Have Eyes For You”; and “Lilli Marlene”.
1950s
Bobby socks, crinolines, saddle shoes, white bucks, duck tails, Brylcream, “Tutti Fruitie”, “Love Me Tender”, “Blue Suede Shoes” – if we found a time capsule from this decade, we would be sure to find articles from the list above.
Favorite tunes were: “Goodnight, Irene”; “Because Of You”; “It’s Not For Me To Say”; “Mister Sandman”; “Slow Poke”; and “Wonderful By Night”.
1960 – 1970s
Bell-bottomed pants were in! First worn by the gals then the guys.
Mini skirts also came in, followed by the maxi look.
Favorite tunes were: “Blue Velvet”; “Dear Heart”; “Never On A Sunday”; “Where The Boys Are”. The Beatles had the greatest impact on music during those years.
Today: The Eighties
Anything goes! P-Jackets, Levi’s and Nikes for some people – while others are into fluorescent colors and floral-print cropped pants.
The synthesized pop sound of Duran Duran has been popular but then again some like the traditional rock sound of Bryan Adams and John Cougar Mellancamp. Lionel Ritchie has been a favorite as well as Michael Jackson.
Charles and James Morrison,
circa 1907