Thursday, February 16, 2006

The Roaring Twenties and Beyond.....

Back in the twenties, "flappers" wore "bobbed" hair with "marcelled" waves, and skirts were shorter than ever before. My grandma was already too old and chubby to wear them any shorter than this....LOL. Haven't you seen this type of hemline around recently? The old saying that if you wait long enough, everything will come back in style is certainly true. They are hard to see here, but her shoes are pointy-toed T-straps. I have seen them come and go twice since I started noticing such things. Wonder how long it will be before they make a reappearance?

Anyone remember the shoes popular in 1972-3? They were oxford style lace-ups, with huge, chunky heels. We wore them with mini skirts (no waist bands) and pirate shirts or turtlenecks. ICK! I hated those shoes the first time around, and I hope they never come back in style again. They will, though. My grandma had a pair of brown oxford lace-ups with the same chunky heels I wore in 1972, but she wore hers in the 30's. I still have her shoes.

In this photo, she was around 45 years old, and already showing the effects of five pregnancies and country cooking. She looks a bit happier here than she did in the last photo I posted. This more nearly shows her temperament. Whenever I was with her, she was jolly, happy and smiling. She always liked a good joke, Eisenhower, and singing hymns. One of my strongest memories is of her standing at the stove, stirring a pot of something that smelled so good my mouth was watering, and belting out an up tempo rendition of "I come to the garden alone". Another strong memory I have is the fact that she could sit on the floor "tailor fashion" - with her legs crossed in almost Yoga position until she was in her late 80's. She could also touch the floor with the palms of her hands well into her 80's. Enjoying good health until she suffered a stroke at age 91, she lived 9 months and passed away in her sleep. I miss you, Mammaw.
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27 comments:

Marybeth said...

Hi, Kenju! Michele sent me! I'll be back though!

Anonymous said...

I think kid's these days will wear anything, probably out wearing shoes like your grandma's tonight! Here via michele's...

Anonymous said...

Hi Kenju!
Sorry to hear your grandma passed away. That wasn't recently, was it?

Btw, Michele sent me!

Merle said...

Judy ~~ Your Grandma looks lovely
and I am so glad you have such lovely memories of her. She must have been very fit to sit on the floor etc. If I did that I would have trouble getting up !!
Have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

Judy, you write the best descriptions of the people in your life! After readig apost like that i'd miss her too.

I can't see the picture tho, it linked me to Picasa's page.
btw, I have picasa, it's awesome!

bornfool said...

I'm saving a polyester leisure suit and a silk shirt just in case they come back in vogue.

guppyman said...

I can't even touch my palms to the floor and I'm only 33....

Michele says howdy!

srp said...

I remember the black and white oxfords when I was in grade school. I hated them. Then in college they came back in for a while except itt was more popular to have the brown and black ones. I remember the cheerleaders wearing black and white ones, before it became the norm to don those high priced Nikes.

And I just don't know what to think of that skirt. Are those multiple layers? Yes, seems like we see these skirted looks today. LOL

Kristal said...

I have a lot of my grandma's shoes, but I won't be wearing them ~ even if they come back in style. They are all so tiny!! Great for playing dress up with the kids, though.

Michele sent me.

Viamarie said...

Good you still have old pictures in your file. Who knows this fashion might be back any year from now.

Cheers from Michele.

kenju said...

I can wear her shoes, but I wouldn't want to except for a Halloween party....LOL. She did have a 1920's pair I wanted so badly; they were purple satin, with pointy toes and Cuban heels. I don't know what happened to those; they disappeared after she had her stroke.

Jeff said...

I was not around for the 70's so i cant say i remember th shoes of the time but im sure i have seen them in pictures.

Just wanted to say that Michele sent me

Anonymous said...

My grandma always wore stilletto heels until she was in her 60's and had to have surgery on her foot. She had awesome shoes!!! My favorite of hers were brown leather, lizard (I think) and very high heeled. I loved to hear her heels click as she walked when we went to church. My grandmother was young and she rocked!

Anonymous said...

Very enjoyable post on your grandmother. Treasure those photos and the memories.

Kristi said...

What beautiful memories of your grandma. My own is so special to me. I can't imagine my life without her. And I love that picture. I think she looks adorable.

Traci Dolan said...

What a wonderful post. I love old pictures and knowing the history behind them!

Anonymous said...

Although the toes aren't really pointy, I have a "brand new" pair of black leather T-strap shoes, with perforated design on the toes and 2" heels. They cost a fortune, but they are more comfortable than any other "dress shoe" that I've owned in the last 60 years! (Bought them at a store that specializes in "problem feet".) BTW: If I had my grandmother's shoes, they would fit--even though I always thought that her feet were huge. Mine have grown!
Cop Car

Moon said...

I love looking at the old photo's of my grandmother and mom. I have a stash of some of my grandmothers evening and church gloves with some of the pretty little purses to match...I covet them. My grandmother had 15 children so the fact that I (one of the 55 grandchildren) has some of her stuff is a miracle lol.

Raehan said...

LOVE the photo and the post.

Just wonderful...all of it.

utenzi said...

My apologies for mistaking her gender before, Judy. You're so lovely that I just assumed the rest of the women in your family would also have that dramatic feminine allure. Your grandmother does look much better in this picture. Being happy certainly helps our appearance!

Regarding the clothes, I've never seen anything quite like them before, Judy.

Anonymous said...

She looks like a sweetie to me.

I wish bobbed do's were still "the" look. That's the way I tend to wear my hair (sans waves).

Anonymous said...

I remember the t straps. My grandmother was of the roaring 20s too. Quite a stylish and open time.o She was a free spirit.

Jamie Dawn said...

You have some vivid memories of her. I wonder what she was cooking that smelled sooo good? I'm glad you have good memories of her. I miss my Gramillo too. I don't have any of her shoes, but I do have some of her clothes, jewelry, dishes, purses, hats and trinkets. I cherish them. I also have her eye glasses.

Karen said...

Judy, this is SO true! I notice that peasant skirts are back in style, but I don't dare mention it to my daughter for fear that she'll hate them. I love that they're longer!

Here via Michele's!

Olyal said...

Michele sent me today Judy. I have missed your lovely family stories!!!

srp said...

Here from Michele this time.
You popped up before the timer had a chance to post. I still think this picture is a scream.

Anonymous said...

Yes, great skirts can't stay out of fashion forever. How wonderful that your grandmother had such superb flexibility so long. She looks like a great person to know.