My mom was a WWII Army Nurse (“four years, six months, and three days” – she would say). Shortly after mustering out she happened to win the lottery ($400 = $7,000 today). Those winnings put her on a train to New York where she splurged on a whole new wardrobe, head to toe. (Plus Dodgers tickets)
Four years of Army uniforms were enough! She was a tall, slim, pretty 26-year-old and who could blame her for a bit of frivolity. Of course the clothes available to her at that time were still in the narrow, close-fitting, fabric-saving wartime silhouette. Think shoulder pads and short tight skirts.
Well, within a brief time Mother’s expensive new wardrobe was totally obsolete – deemed unwearable by the Fashion Police of the day. In Paris a young designer, Christian Dior, had debuted his “New Look.” Tiny waist, rounded bosom, acres of billowing skirts.
She felt equal parts ticked off and more than a little foolish. Hearing that story I saw a whole new side of the smart, sensible mother I’d grown up with. I’m glad she had some fun!
I don’t recall too much special about ’40s fashions. Well, I was 10 in ’45, so not too observant. And of course we were a long way from the more cosmopolitan centers.
I know that women wore dresses most of the time; and heels a lot. I think hats were beginning to go out of style among younger women, and gloves only when really ‘dressed’.
My Grandmother was the Senior Ladies Sunday School teacher. Their class room was behind the pulpit, and they always waited until the congregation was settled, then they would parade out and join their families. In their cases, best dresses, hats, gloves, and funny little old lady shoes. And powder; lots and lots of powder.
I have some pictures of Mother dressed to go ‘on the town’ in the late ’20s or early ’30s. Some of the outfits looked like clown attire to me.
RETVRN.
Thank you for sharing that story, Ruth! I, too, am glad your mom had some fun.
Wow! President Trump’s address at the U.N. This man is not afraid to tell it as he sees it!
Sharon W
Yes, the president was in rare form. Taking it directly to the leftists. Reminding them that he ended seven wars in a matter of a few months. Quoting predictions from UN officials about how global warming was going to destroy humanity in a few years. Predictions that of course did not occur. Going after the leftist UK Prime Minister Starmer for refusing to develop North Sea hydrocarbon resources. Reminding them of how China makes trillions of dollars selling windmills and solar cells to the world, but relies on coal and oil for their energy. Excoriating them for allowing millions of illegal immigrants antithetical to their cultures to enter their countries. Going after the Biden regime for doing the same to the United States.
A great performance that will drive the left crazy
“drive the left crazy”
These days it’s more like a three inch putt.
I think I used this here once before but it always fits.
That is a great story Ruth. And it reminded me, if anyone is shopping for a new series to binge watch, I thought this was great.
The story revolves around Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, but the pressure cooker that is occupied Paris really drives the drama.
This is a post on Instapundit sharing an X post where police in England are threatening to arrest a man for the crime of being, “quite openly Jewish.” The man is calm, presentable, wearing a suit and a yarmulke*.
There’s been far too much of this out of England lately. Graham Linehan’s arrest at Heathrow. Bobbies knocking on people’s doors to discuss Internet posts. Arresting people for the crime of silently praying in public spaces.
I know this isn’t news, unfortunately. But for some reason the video really hit me hard.
It doesn’t matter that there are far too many people in England who do not embrace British law. British authorities cannot ignore the law to “keep the peace.”
Have they learned nothing from Rotherham? It’s not moral to appease a criminal mob by sacrificing citizens’ rights simply because they are in the minority in a region.
Acquiescing to the mob empowers the mob. The government needs to change course very soon before this devolves further.
*The man in the video deserves immense credit. He and his religion are insulted and he remains calm and steadfast amid a sea of hate.
Threatening arrest for being “openly Jewish.” This is the twenty-first century in England, not the thirteenth. Do they arrest Muslims for being “openly Muslim” on the streets? (Answer: Of course they don’t. They are afraid of their Muslim residents’ tendency to violence.)
Kate:
Thirteenth Century indeed. For those who don’t know, here’s a description of the 1290 Edit of Expulsion of the Jews from England.
the 1290 Edi[c]t of Expulsion of the Jews from England.
Rescinded by one Oliver Cromwell in 1653, who took time out of his busy schedule being dictator, ethnically cleansing, killing and sometimes enslaving Irish Catholics in Ireland, to invite Menasseh ben Israel to come to England.
One of Cromwell’s motives for inviting Jews to resettle England was the possibility that their being in England might induce them to convert to Christianity, or hasten the millennium. History rarely shows us good guys and bad guys. Despite Cromwell’s largely black record, he did some good some of the time, even when he didn’t have the best of motives.
His decision to invite the Jews to return seems to have done no one any harm, at least.
Re: Pour encourager les autres — For the encouragement of others
Many people quote that line in French — including moi — without know where it came from. True, it refers to the death penalty of an officer for lacking sufficient zeal in attacking the enemy. In this case, one Admiral Byng during the Battle of Minorca.
I just encountered that line today while reading Candide in French. I didn’t realize that line was straight Voltaire.
Upon reading up I learned that Voltaire, after France got too hot for him, spent several years in England and became friends with Samuel Pepys, Jonathan Swift and other members of the intelligentsia.
Voltaire actually became something of a convert to the British Enlightenment. Though French he wrote admirably of those views. He was outraged by Admiral Byng’s court-martial and attempted to intervene on Byng’s behalf.
Which didn’t work, of course. Voltaire wrote acidly of the episode in Candide, giving us the immortal line:
Pour encourager les autres — For the encouragement of others
I found this post from Powerline to be both depressing and encouraging – the first because Kirk could possibly have escaped being killed (he rejected suggestions for additional protection, and a bulletproof vest would not have deflected the bullet hitting his neck, but a shield might have), the second because “Ms. Kirk, like several of her husband’s subordinates, had occasionally heard him imply that his life could be cut short by violence. She found herself wondering if a part of him had already surrendered to such a prospect.”
This excerpt from the NYT interview of MRS. Kirk may have been in the stories linked before, but I haven’t seen it discussed explicitly.
“Encouraging” may seem like an odd word choice; I’m thinking of the martyrs of the Christian church in all eras who apparently accepted the risk as part of the deal when they took on the work of the Lord in tumultuous times. It relieves some of my depression to know that he was willing to give his life for the Lord’s cause if that was required of him.
Re: 40s style
I loved Rosalind Russell’s insane stripes, shoulder pads and top hat combo in the screwball comedy “His Girl Friday” (1940) with Cary Grant.
If you appreciate rapid-fire romcom dialog, it’s not to be missed.
NC, is there any aspect to Cromwell’s actions in inviting Jews back to England that he was also motivated by improving the banking industry and having enhanced contacts with bankers/ resources on the continent?
“Ms. Kirk, like several of her husband’s subordinates, had occasionally heard him imply that his life could be cut short by violence…”
AesopFan:
______________________________
Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
@R2L:NC, is there any aspect to Cromwell’s actions in inviting Jews back to England that he was also motivated by improving the banking industry and having enhanced contacts with bankers/ resources on the continent?
He had lots of reasons, the one you named is one, and also he hoped to use them to enhance his intelligence service. Generally he had multiple reasons for anything he did, but in public he would always give the pious reason.
The pious reasons for bringing back Jews were the ones he needed to make the public okay with it. While he was a dictator he was not an absolute one, and he needed the religious fanatics in the army to back what he did. The conversion of Jews and the hastening of the millennial kingdom of Jesus were reasons the army could get behind.
Great video – even without any evening wear a good illustration of the absolute best clothing era of all time!
With the Regency running a close second.
Hair stying was the best ever too.
I treasure the photos of my mom from that era. Such clean lines, so glamorous.
There was so much energy and glam in that era (Kate Hepburn!) I can’t help but think the circumstances – the fight for freedom and then the follow on of victory and the rebuild – infused into the fashion and the confident way those ladies wore it.
BTW, Neo, there is a fun book _ might be hard to find in the US – called ‘Fashion On The Ration’ about how British women dealt with the restrictions of WWII as related to clothing. They made knickers out of the silk scarf maps their aviator boyfriends gave them. Reworked old clothes, etc. The rationing came as a complete surprise and one well to do woman had given away her entire wardrobe the day before the announcement. Really a fascinating read if you’re at all interested in day to day fashion.
Clothes rationing wasn’t as bad in the US, but my beloved late mother in law told me how she wore the same coat all through the war years. It went from loose to very, very tight as she was 10 years old when the war began and just turned 15 when it ended.
About the war years, my mom just told me that everyone cried in church on Sundays. But after she passed I found her diary from the first few years.
Hmmm… Well!
One thing that stood out to me in the photos is how the glamorous dark red lipstick of the day looks black in most of them.
Goths ahead of their time?
@ huxley > “King. Kirk. What’s the difference?”
Other than the obvious physical ones, not much.
Later stories about King reveal a man with many flaws, but his public preaching is what he is remembered for, and rightly so.
Getting along with people who differ from you is core to both messengers, and so they were anathema to the preachers of hate and dissension, so both had to go.
Joseph Smith also went to his martyrdom knowing he was not going to come back alive from the Carthage Jail. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/135?lang=eng
“I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer’s morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me—he was murdered in cold blood.”
I was interested to see that sentence has made it into a general anthology of famous quotes that I often refer to for “who said this?” questions.
Fun fact: at one time Joseph Smith Jr was the highest-ranking military officer in the United States and the highest-ranking since George Washington. The Nauvoo Legion had 13 major generals; for context Major General Winfield Scott was the highest ranking US Army officer at the time.
@ Niketas – the Legion did get a little carried away there. I guess no one wanted to be just a colonel.
Joseph Smith was also, briefly, a candidate for President, on the platform of returning to a more faithful observation the Constitution , particularly the freedom of religion clause. His platform also included abolition via the national purchase and then manumission of slaves, using funds from sales of western territories claimed by the United States.
@AesopFan: “His platform also included abolition via the national purchase and then manumission of slaves, using funds from sales of western territories claimed by the United States.” For whatever reason, this is the first I have ever heard of this idea, which within my limited context sounds like a truly marvelous solution to a very vexing problem.
I wonder why it did not truly take hold? Presumably with hind sight we can say it might well have saved 700,000 lives (+/-). I suppose part of it was that paying off the slave owner would still not leave him in a position of total financial independence? Plus he had his pride as being a “master!!” to consider and might not have wanted to give that up either. Ugh!
All those beautiful women.
Funny….they don’t look oppressed.
@ R2L – I have always had the impression that purchasing our way out of slavery was a fairly popular notion in the 1860s, but I can’t find any articles online addressing that specifically. It was done by some countries in Europe, but on a very small scale compared to the Americas.
My guess is that, even if the plan was approved by the national government, the Southern planters would have balked because they could not make up for the loss of slave labor at the time, so the purchase money would have been basically useless to them.
While searching, I did find a few articles that gave a fair overview of the slave problem and abolitionist activities, without veering into the 1619 controversy.
My mom was a WWII Army Nurse (“four years, six months, and three days” – she would say). Shortly after mustering out she happened to win the lottery ($400 = $7,000 today). Those winnings put her on a train to New York where she splurged on a whole new wardrobe, head to toe. (Plus Dodgers tickets)
Four years of Army uniforms were enough! She was a tall, slim, pretty 26-year-old and who could blame her for a bit of frivolity. Of course the clothes available to her at that time were still in the narrow, close-fitting, fabric-saving wartime silhouette. Think shoulder pads and short tight skirts.
Well, within a brief time Mother’s expensive new wardrobe was totally obsolete – deemed unwearable by the Fashion Police of the day. In Paris a young designer, Christian Dior, had debuted his “New Look.” Tiny waist, rounded bosom, acres of billowing skirts.
She felt equal parts ticked off and more than a little foolish. Hearing that story I saw a whole new side of the smart, sensible mother I’d grown up with. I’m glad she had some fun!
I don’t recall too much special about ’40s fashions. Well, I was 10 in ’45, so not too observant. And of course we were a long way from the more cosmopolitan centers.
I know that women wore dresses most of the time; and heels a lot. I think hats were beginning to go out of style among younger women, and gloves only when really ‘dressed’.
My Grandmother was the Senior Ladies Sunday School teacher. Their class room was behind the pulpit, and they always waited until the congregation was settled, then they would parade out and join their families. In their cases, best dresses, hats, gloves, and funny little old lady shoes. And powder; lots and lots of powder.
I have some pictures of Mother dressed to go ‘on the town’ in the late ’20s or early ’30s. Some of the outfits looked like clown attire to me.
RETVRN.
Thank you for sharing that story, Ruth! I, too, am glad your mom had some fun.
Wow! President Trump’s address at the U.N. This man is not afraid to tell it as he sees it!
Sharon W
Yes, the president was in rare form. Taking it directly to the leftists. Reminding them that he ended seven wars in a matter of a few months. Quoting predictions from UN officials about how global warming was going to destroy humanity in a few years. Predictions that of course did not occur. Going after the leftist UK Prime Minister Starmer for refusing to develop North Sea hydrocarbon resources. Reminding them of how China makes trillions of dollars selling windmills and solar cells to the world, but relies on coal and oil for their energy. Excoriating them for allowing millions of illegal immigrants antithetical to their cultures to enter their countries. Going after the Biden regime for doing the same to the United States.
A great performance that will drive the left crazy
“drive the left crazy”
These days it’s more like a three inch putt.
I think I used this here once before but it always fits.
That is a great story Ruth. And it reminded me, if anyone is shopping for a new series to binge watch, I thought this was great.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Look_(TV_series)
The story revolves around Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, but the pressure cooker that is occupied Paris really drives the drama.
This is a post on Instapundit sharing an X post where police in England are threatening to arrest a man for the crime of being, “quite openly Jewish.” The man is calm, presentable, wearing a suit and a yarmulke*.
https://instapundit.com/746402/#disqus_thread
There’s been far too much of this out of England lately. Graham Linehan’s arrest at Heathrow. Bobbies knocking on people’s doors to discuss Internet posts. Arresting people for the crime of silently praying in public spaces.
I know this isn’t news, unfortunately. But for some reason the video really hit me hard.
It doesn’t matter that there are far too many people in England who do not embrace British law. British authorities cannot ignore the law to “keep the peace.”
Have they learned nothing from Rotherham? It’s not moral to appease a criminal mob by sacrificing citizens’ rights simply because they are in the minority in a region.
Acquiescing to the mob empowers the mob. The government needs to change course very soon before this devolves further.
*The man in the video deserves immense credit. He and his religion are insulted and he remains calm and steadfast amid a sea of hate.
Threatening arrest for being “openly Jewish.” This is the twenty-first century in England, not the thirteenth. Do they arrest Muslims for being “openly Muslim” on the streets? (Answer: Of course they don’t. They are afraid of their Muslim residents’ tendency to violence.)
Kate:
Thirteenth Century indeed. For those who don’t know, here’s a description of the 1290 Edit of Expulsion of the Jews from England.
the 1290 Edi[c]t of Expulsion of the Jews from England.
Rescinded by one Oliver Cromwell in 1653, who took time out of his busy schedule being dictator, ethnically cleansing, killing and sometimes enslaving Irish Catholics in Ireland, to invite Menasseh ben Israel to come to England.
One of Cromwell’s motives for inviting Jews to resettle England was the possibility that their being in England might induce them to convert to Christianity, or hasten the millennium. History rarely shows us good guys and bad guys. Despite Cromwell’s largely black record, he did some good some of the time, even when he didn’t have the best of motives.
His decision to invite the Jews to return seems to have done no one any harm, at least.
Re: Pour encourager les autres — For the encouragement of others
Many people quote that line in French — including moi — without know where it came from. True, it refers to the death penalty of an officer for lacking sufficient zeal in attacking the enemy. In this case, one Admiral Byng during the Battle of Minorca.
I just encountered that line today while reading Candide in French. I didn’t realize that line was straight Voltaire.
Upon reading up I learned that Voltaire, after France got too hot for him, spent several years in England and became friends with Samuel Pepys, Jonathan Swift and other members of the intelligentsia.
Voltaire actually became something of a convert to the British Enlightenment. Though French he wrote admirably of those views. He was outraged by Admiral Byng’s court-martial and attempted to intervene on Byng’s behalf.
Which didn’t work, of course. Voltaire wrote acidly of the episode in Candide, giving us the immortal line:
Pour encourager les autres — For the encouragement of others
I found this post from Powerline to be both depressing and encouraging – the first because Kirk could possibly have escaped being killed (he rejected suggestions for additional protection, and a bulletproof vest would not have deflected the bullet hitting his neck, but a shield might have), the second because “Ms. Kirk, like several of her husband’s subordinates, had occasionally heard him imply that his life could be cut short by violence. She found herself wondering if a part of him had already surrendered to such a prospect.”
This excerpt from the NYT interview of MRS. Kirk may have been in the stories linked before, but I haven’t seen it discussed explicitly.
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/09/foreshadowings.php
“Encouraging” may seem like an odd word choice; I’m thinking of the martyrs of the Christian church in all eras who apparently accepted the risk as part of the deal when they took on the work of the Lord in tumultuous times. It relieves some of my depression to know that he was willing to give his life for the Lord’s cause if that was required of him.
Re: 40s style
I loved Rosalind Russell’s insane stripes, shoulder pads and top hat combo in the screwball comedy “His Girl Friday” (1940) with Cary Grant.
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/3085-his-girl-friday?language=en-US
If you appreciate rapid-fire romcom dialog, it’s not to be missed.
NC, is there any aspect to Cromwell’s actions in inviting Jews back to England that he was also motivated by improving the banking industry and having enhanced contacts with bankers/ resources on the continent?
“Ms. Kirk, like several of her husband’s subordinates, had occasionally heard him imply that his life could be cut short by violence…”
AesopFan:
______________________________
Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
–Martin Luther King Jr., (the day before he was assassinated)
https://www.afscme.org/about/history/mlk/mountaintop
______________________________
King. Kirk. What’s the difference?
@R2L:NC, is there any aspect to Cromwell’s actions in inviting Jews back to England that he was also motivated by improving the banking industry and having enhanced contacts with bankers/ resources on the continent?
He had lots of reasons, the one you named is one, and also he hoped to use them to enhance his intelligence service. Generally he had multiple reasons for anything he did, but in public he would always give the pious reason.
The pious reasons for bringing back Jews were the ones he needed to make the public okay with it. While he was a dictator he was not an absolute one, and he needed the religious fanatics in the army to back what he did. The conversion of Jews and the hastening of the millennial kingdom of Jesus were reasons the army could get behind.
Great video – even without any evening wear a good illustration of the absolute best clothing era of all time!
With the Regency running a close second.
Hair stying was the best ever too.
I treasure the photos of my mom from that era. Such clean lines, so glamorous.
There was so much energy and glam in that era (Kate Hepburn!) I can’t help but think the circumstances – the fight for freedom and then the follow on of victory and the rebuild – infused into the fashion and the confident way those ladies wore it.
BTW, Neo, there is a fun book _ might be hard to find in the US – called ‘Fashion On The Ration’ about how British women dealt with the restrictions of WWII as related to clothing. They made knickers out of the silk scarf maps their aviator boyfriends gave them. Reworked old clothes, etc. The rationing came as a complete surprise and one well to do woman had given away her entire wardrobe the day before the announcement. Really a fascinating read if you’re at all interested in day to day fashion.
Clothes rationing wasn’t as bad in the US, but my beloved late mother in law told me how she wore the same coat all through the war years. It went from loose to very, very tight as she was 10 years old when the war began and just turned 15 when it ended.
About the war years, my mom just told me that everyone cried in church on Sundays. But after she passed I found her diary from the first few years.
Hmmm… Well!
One thing that stood out to me in the photos is how the glamorous dark red lipstick of the day looks black in most of them.
Goths ahead of their time?
@ huxley > “King. Kirk. What’s the difference?”
Other than the obvious physical ones, not much.
Later stories about King reveal a man with many flaws, but his public preaching is what he is remembered for, and rightly so.
Getting along with people who differ from you is core to both messengers, and so they were anathema to the preachers of hate and dissension, so both had to go.
Joseph Smith also went to his martyrdom knowing he was not going to come back alive from the Carthage Jail.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/135?lang=eng
“I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer’s morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me—he was murdered in cold blood.”
I was interested to see that sentence has made it into a general anthology of famous quotes that I often refer to for “who said this?” questions.
https://libquotes.com/joseph-smith-jr/quote/lbt1n3d
Fun fact: at one time Joseph Smith Jr was the highest-ranking military officer in the United States and the highest-ranking since George Washington. The Nauvoo Legion had 13 major generals; for context Major General Winfield Scott was the highest ranking US Army officer at the time.
@ Niketas – the Legion did get a little carried away there. I guess no one wanted to be just a colonel.
https://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Nauvoo_Legion
Joseph Smith was also, briefly, a candidate for President, on the platform of returning to a more faithful observation the Constitution , particularly the freedom of religion clause. His platform also included abolition via the national purchase and then manumission of slaves, using funds from sales of western territories claimed by the United States.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smiths-1844-campaign-for-united-states-president?lang=eng
@AesopFan: “His platform also included abolition via the national purchase and then manumission of slaves, using funds from sales of western territories claimed by the United States.” For whatever reason, this is the first I have ever heard of this idea, which within my limited context sounds like a truly marvelous solution to a very vexing problem.
I wonder why it did not truly take hold? Presumably with hind sight we can say it might well have saved 700,000 lives (+/-). I suppose part of it was that paying off the slave owner would still not leave him in a position of total financial independence? Plus he had his pride as being a “master!!” to consider and might not have wanted to give that up either. Ugh!
All those beautiful women.
Funny….they don’t look oppressed.
@ R2L – I have always had the impression that purchasing our way out of slavery was a fairly popular notion in the 1860s, but I can’t find any articles online addressing that specifically. It was done by some countries in Europe, but on a very small scale compared to the Americas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_abolition_of_slavery_and_serfdom
My guess is that, even if the plan was approved by the national government, the Southern planters would have balked because they could not make up for the loss of slave labor at the time, so the purchase money would have been basically useless to them.
While searching, I did find a few articles that gave a fair overview of the slave problem and abolitionist activities, without veering into the 1619 controversy.
Probably the best:
https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african-american-odyssey/abolition.html
Written mostly for middle school or early high school:
https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/year-9/abolition-of-slavery/
Global efforts:
https://www.havefunwithhistory.com/timeline-of-slavery-abolition/