Just a thought on the mind set of men and women at the turn of the last century.

**blackbeard** · 18th October 09, 01:05 PM

I was watching a documentary on my local PBS station on saving the San Francisco Bay (At one time after WWII there were plans to fill in most of the bay for land development, making it the SF River rather than the SF Bay. [No joke!]). As with all historical references to San Francisco, there was some film footage and still photos of the '06 earthquake and fire. These were not posed shots, just amateur photographers recording the events of the day. Every time I see these shots the one thing that never ceases to amaze me is the mind set of men and women at that time in regards to clothing.

The quake happened at 5am; one quarter of the city is rubble, fires are starting all over, and here are men and women surveying the situation wearing full suits, with bowler hats and ties; women in walking dresses, gloves and hats!

One of the greatest natural disasters of the 20th century was no excuse to leave the house (if it was still standing) without dressing properly!

Fast forward to the current turn of the century and a lot of people find it hard to wear something other than sweat pants to go to the local market for some milk.

**Inchessi** · 18th October 09, 01:34 PM

That is a topic that has been discussed amongst my friends. I enjoy Theater, Off Broadway, way off, like 1000 miles off. The theater nearby is in a small town and has had some wonderful plays. When I first started attending, men wore suits, and women wore evening dresses. The last time I went, I was the only person in a suit. Some of the women wore clothes that I wouldn't use for rags. I was of the mindset that this is a small midwest town.

I went to Indianapolis to see a couple of Operas. Again, the first time men wore suits, and women wore fine dresses. During intermission, wine and snacks were served in the lobby. This summer, I was in a suit, and several people were in cut off shorts. They also were bringing in cups of soda, and tubs of popcorn.

I guess Sunday Best now means the rags with the least tears and holes.

**Chas** · 18th October 09, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by blackbeard

The quake happened at 5am; one quarter of the city is rubble, fires are starting all over, and here are men and women surveying the situation wearing full suits, with bowler hats and ties; women in walking dresses, gloves and hats!

One of the greatest natural disasters of the 20th century was no excuse to leave the house (if it was still standing) without dressing properly!

I think I would have expected this. At times of crisis, people revert to type. A major disaster has happened, people will do what they normally do to try and retain some control over their own environment. Well, it's what I would do.

Regards

Chas

**EagleJCS** · 18th October 09, 02:45 PM

I believe I understand what you mean, Inchessi. I recently went to a friends' house to watch a couple of movies. I was dressed in my casual boots, jeans, a nice shirt, sweater, and a sport coat (which I wore rather than dig out the winter coat). He chided me for having 'dressed up'.

It is interesting that over the years, people have moved away from dressing as though they had a sense of pride in their appearance (and respect for their hosts) to dressing just enough to avoid being cited for public indecency. It's also interesting that some few in the younger generation are throwing formal parties, with assigned seating, linens, and dress codes, just as their (great-?)grandparents did back in the 1940's and '50's. Maybe there's hope yet?

**Pleater** · 18th October 09, 02:52 PM

It is just what people did.

There was a shop about five doors away from our house.

Before leaving the house my mother would comb her hair, take off her cardigan and apron and put on a jacket, change her house shoes for some smart leather ones, take her purse from the drawer and put it into a handbag, take out her compact and power her face, then put on lipstick. Finally she took a head scarf and folded it on the diagonal, tied it on, and then she was ready to go out, walk to the shop make her purchase and return home, usually a five minute absence from the house.

Once back the process would be reversed, and when back in her house shoes apron and cardigan she would return to the kitchen.

I believe that in the 1970's she did begin to go out carrying her purse in her hand rather than in a hand bag, and without a head scarf, but I never saw her do so in the 60's.

One woman used to go to the shop without removing her apron - mother did not speak to her.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Jock Scot** · 18th October 09, 03:20 PM

I make no apologies for this. I still expect people to be properly dressed! By that I mean collar and appropriate tie and appropriate jacket, kilt/trousers and footwear.Warmer climes are not an excuse to relax these standards by much.

**blackbeard** · 18th October 09, 03:46 PM

I forgot the rules!
No picks.
It didn't happen.

**Larry124** · 18th October 09, 04:17 PM

Yes, let’s return to the days of yore. A world lit only by fire.

Life expectancy for men was 45.6 years, for women 49.9.
Likely from an excess of clothing.

Infant mortality?
Educational level?
Length of workweek?
Retirement prospects?

"Mindset" on race and gender and other social issues?

They lived in their manner in their times.

Let us live in ours.

**Dirka Skene** · 18th October 09, 04:50 PM

I definitely believe in dressing appropriately.

**Dirka Skene** · 18th October 09, 04:53 PM

Save the sweatpants for the house! My husband likely wouldn't have given me a second look if I were in sweatpants and sloppy ponytail. I thought about this earlier when I saw a woman in the store wearing men's basketball shorts and a stained t-shirt.