Before I start this, I guess I should begin with a disclaimer. I am an olde lady aged 83. That may, or may not help any reader to appreciate my thoughts on the subject I undertake to express some very strong views
about.
First may I say, when I was young, girls and women took very great care, on the most part, to look neatly dressed when they were "in public". Around the house even there were standards. Way back then, pants (which were called slacks) were not heard of. Not until, I believe it was the mid 1940's. Shorts were for Gym class or beach wear, and any thinking young man wasn't willing to take a young lady out for a date unless she 'looked like a lady' by the way she was dressed. May sound arcaic by todays standards, but I am glad that was how it was.
Even after marriage it was common to have my husband ask on Saturday
morning if I would be going with him. Unless I was dressed to suit him I was told to 'get dressed'. As his wife, I had to 'look' right, or I would be left at home. Sound rather stuffy? Well it wasn't. It was wonderful to know it meant so much to him. I was happy to meet his request. I learned during those yrars to 'get ready' in a very few minutes. Not only my dress, my shoes and hair were important. I needed to loook as if I had been 'put together'. Something I feel I have tried to continue over the years.
When, after the Second World War we began to see imports from Japan, foot wear was the first change. Not like we see it in such common use as today. No the entire foot wear was 'tabbies', which were of black broad cloth with a wite sole that had space for the big toe with the rest if the toes fit nuch like a mitten. There where flat hooks at the back of the heel for closer. The foot then fit into the 'thong'. These first were worn around the house. As the space between the big toe was tender the "tabbie' gave a great deal of comfort. Needless to say as the 'thong' became cheaper to make and easier to buy, over the years they have become common footwear through out the country. Where once it was stated "no shoes, no service" shoes no longer have the same meaning they had back in 'my day'.
When we had our children, we took the youngsters to a Childrens Shoe Store to be fitted with "Buster Brown Shoes". When new soes were needed, three pairs if new socks were purchased as well. Care of growing feet was important. The budget might be crimped a bit, but it was unthinkable to not give the selection of shoes the utmost attention. As both our children were born with hip problems that made it important to keep there shoes of high quality, we never minded the cost, or care they needed.
After World War Two the great blessing of Nylon Hose came onto the scene. A great improvement over the awful Rayon Hose we had to wear before Nylon was available. Again we found shopping for them very enjoyable. There were Shops that sold only lovely Ladies Underwear and Hose. One could go in and find beautiful slips, panties, bras, night gowns
and of course hose. They could be bought by the pair, or by the box which had three pair of the same color. The sales clerk would make a fist and pull the sheer hose over it to show the sheerness and color. What a joy to shop!
Of couse that was when all the hose had a seam up the back, so pulling a pair on took skill to get the seams straight. At first the seams were the same as the hose color, then they had dark seams that flattered the leg even more. There those who liked them even fancier so the came out with lace, and even butterflies around the ankles or flowers. They were expensive, but one never minded that if they made the leg attractive. Not only how one dressed was important, but what in!
When I was married in the late 1940's Suits for women were all the rage. I don't know how many I owned. Lovely blouses were necessary to make the right look. Of course that ment jewlery was important as well. So we discovered Costume Jewlery Stores became popular. We could find pins to decorate the lapels of our suits. The big vouge was matching clips to wear at the neck of a colarless dress. It was the "Big Band Era" so a lot of formals were worn with a lot of glittery Costume Jewlery as well. Very few ladies had pierced ears back then, so clip earrings were plentiful and in just about any design and color one could desire.
Hair was long for the most part. Permanents were fashionable, if you had the patience to set under that 'hot machine' to get one. A long time before the Perms you could give yourself. Curlers were used - the forerunners of 'rollers', and of course there were 'pincurls' and 'fingerwaves'. I learned how to do both, In fact when my hair is long, I stll use pincurls to set my hair.
Talk about 'old style'!
I guess I should spend just a few minutes on shoes (something I know Nemiha will enjoy). There were no less than 5 shoe stores on the Blvd. My favorite shopping was checking them all out. Blessed with small feet, I wore 'sample shoes', which were the ones they had in the windows. I would seldom purchase anything until they had their end of the season sales when all the sample shoes were on the sales rack. Usually at a $1.00 per pair. Going from one store to the next I could usually get what I required in color and style and come home with a number of shoe boxes and most of my paycheck stll in my purse. Lucky me!
One of those shopping trips netted me a pair of kelly green suede babydoll 3 inch heeled pumps that I wore with a rust colored linen suit that was trimmed with lemon yellow pipeing. Got a few turned heads when Jay took me out for the evening. Color, style and good times are what I recall.
When I was expecting Paul, my Mother made me two 'maternity dresses'
One was a dark red with black and white flowers, the other was white with lavender and green flowers. The under dress had a white sleeveless top.
Mom made the top large and fit the skirt of color then pleated it so to start it fit neatly. She made a lovely matching smock top to go over the dress. The smock was big enough to cover my enlarge body from start to finish, while the skirt could be let out gradualy as needed. I had one pair of Moms slacks I could wear with a smock around the house. Not many clothes, but all I needed to look Stylish, neat and meet my husbands standards.
So now we get to what is Stlye - SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU LOOK GREAT. Then what is Fashion? Something that someone else is selling as 'what to wear'. It may or may not have a thing to do with what you personally look like it in it.
In todays 'fashions' you may look as if you were poured into what you are wearing, which may or may not make you look great! In fact, except that it is what everyone else is wearing, it may not become you at all.
I believe one of my pet pieves of today is the fact that beautiful ladies have decided being pregnant is the time to expose their bodies in a vulgar and un-lady-like fashion'. God has given women one of His greatest blessings. Creation. He loves us, and delights in our lovilness. As our bodies accomodate this great wonder of creation, we should look our best. We should be as careful of how we look as if we were fasting. Washed, bright, happy and NEAT! I remember in Salt Lake in 2005 when myself and three other Missionaries were shopping at Kohl's. A young women in her mid twenties came into the store with a friend (we thought), she was nearing her delivery date. On the top of her body she had on a cut off t-shirt and a pair of low cut jeans. Her bare belly totally exposed. It looked terrible, and if her desire was a shock factor, she accoplished her goal. Her unborn child was flaunted as 'a thing of naught' instead of one of Gods blessed creations.
I may be wrong, but if I don't have respect for myself, how can I expect anyone else to have any for me? Judge me if I stand in need of judgement,
I am old enough to take it! First however stop long enough to reflect on who you are, a daughter of God, and then how He would like to see you.
Would he see you as the way you were created - prepared to assist Him in his continual work of creation, or a spectical, showing your sacred capabilities 'as a thing to flaunt'?
When we go into His House are we a guest who He could welcome with an eye of love and approval, or would He turn His head so you could not see the expression in His eyes? In Ephesians 6:14-19 we read how we should cover ourselves, with truth, righteousness, and our feet shod (meaning shoes) with the gospel. Are we, as those anciently, looking beyond the mark? Are we marching to a correct drummer? Today we see the call to "work out". Meaning to shape up, tone up, become lovely or mocho. A call which has been taught in ever dispensation - 'WORK YOUR SALVATION.' Who has our ear? To whom are we turning for light? I begin to wonder when I remember how prophets both ancient and modern have counceled us on whom we should look and to whom we should listen.
We are Latter-day Saints - we have the 'further light and knowledge' promised. Do we care more for the things of this world than for the Kingdom promised to those who will see and hear? I wonder. True I am old. I have lived long enough to be able to testify with a perfect knowledge for I have lived to witness it as it has 'come to pass'. Men and women are
different, unfortunately I cannot say in any honesty for the better. Time grows short and we must look to see if we are in the correct path and reaching our eternal goal? To tell you that I love you would only let you know again what I continually tell you. It in no way, however, does it expess my deep feelings for you and for you future joy and happiness, Whether I am fortunate enough to reach the highest blessings of Heaven or not, at this point and time is not my main worry. My main worry, of is whether or not my example has been good enough to inspire you to take a higher path? God bless you and help you to find your way amid all the challenges and trials of this world. This is my humble prayer and desire! Grandma "R"
