I notice our former neighbor is back in the cul de sac visiting so I run out to say hello.
As we chat I keep sweeping my hair out of my eyes and realize I haven't combed it yet today.
And I look down and see I have my "yard pants" on,
which also double as painting pants, and an old faded top.
As we chat I keep sweeping my hair out of my eyes and realize I haven't combed it yet today.
And I look down and see I have my "yard pants" on,
which also double as painting pants, and an old faded top.
But never mind, the neighbors are used to seeing me dressed to work in the yard.
I love days when I can stay home all day in comfortable
old clothes and not wear make up.
I love days when I can stay home all day in comfortable
old clothes and not wear make up.
But then of course, someone usually comes to the door.
My grandmother in her housedress
My mind rambles to "house wear" and remembering
what my grandmothers wore at home--what we called "house dresses."
They were sturdy and basic. I remember my grandmother changing
to go to town, but I never saw either of them in anything
anything but a dress, usually topped with an apron.
what my grandmothers wore at home--what we called "house dresses."
They were sturdy and basic. I remember my grandmother changing
to go to town, but I never saw either of them in anything
anything but a dress, usually topped with an apron.
My grandmother as a young mother
My mom (and dad) on their honeymoon
I don't remember what my mom wore around the house;
she was usually at home except for Wednesdays
when she had the family car to run errands and drive us to piano lessons.
I assume she wore a dress or a skirt.
I found the top photo of her in a skirt at a Memorial Day picnic.
In her later years, my mother wore slacks around the house, but before that?
I skimmed through her photo album and realized how few photos there are
of her unless it's a formal family photo
because ... like me ... she was the family photographer.
I remember friends' moms' house dresses. Very plain, usually gray or beige
with a small print. Maybe they just were faded. Set in sleeves,
buttons up the front, maybe a collar.
What we called back then "serviceable."
In her later years, my mother wore slacks around the house, but before that?
I skimmed through her photo album and realized how few photos there are
of her unless it's a formal family photo
because ... like me ... she was the family photographer.
I remember friends' moms' house dresses. Very plain, usually gray or beige
with a small print. Maybe they just were faded. Set in sleeves,
buttons up the front, maybe a collar.
What we called back then "serviceable."
What do you wear around the house?
And do you remember what your mom wore if she stayed home?
A favorite picture of my mom and aunts in my grandmother's kitchen.
Incidentally, I don't remember even thinking about such things
until we moved to the south. When we first arrived I remember
being amazed to see southern women "dressing" to go to the grocery store.
But in more recent years with the influx of many northerners,
clothes have definitely gotten a lot more casual here.
I love seeing these great old photos even though I don't personally them. There is just something about the stories they tell. My mom, wore the same type of dress as long as I knew her...even up to the end. It was the uniform dress for women of the German Baptist church she belonged to. They were very simple shirt waist dresses with buttons up the bodice, long sleeves and a sewn-in cape to cover nursing babies. I remember she made a few of them with half sleeves and without the cape for working around the house...I'm sure those capes could get in the way when bending and cleaning, etc. She never wore those dresses anywhere but around home and always with an apron. She wore the other version when she went to do her shopping and to church, etc. Everyone she made herself, usually in a small print, checks or gingham. Depending on what I am doing or what project I might be working on would determine what I am wearing at home...mostly casual knit pants (cropped or long, depending on temp) and a short sleeve comfortable top...and no makeup unless I have to go somewhere other than the grocery store or Walmart...lol!
ReplyDeleteWell, yes, they did dress differently. My paternal grandmother wore a dress, hose, and heels every single day. My maternal grandmother wore pants and even shorts, but she dressed to go to town in more formal wear. My mother wore slacks most days, but always a dress for church. I rarely wear a dress for any reason. I do tend to dress up a bit to go shopping, but not in a dress. I love your grandmother's pretty kitchen. Talk about a time capsule...so interesting.
ReplyDeleteIs the first photo of your mom? How do you feel about the capture? It does not seem to be as accurate as the one of your dad in that nothing "of her" comes through. Perhaps because she is not looking at the camera. But what do I know?!
DeleteThis post really reminds me of my grandmothers, Dotsie. They always wore a "house dress" along with an apron like you said. They always wore hose. My Nanny used to wear those horrible garters that cut the circulation off. My Grandmother wore hose and those black shoes that lace. I remember my Mama wearing pants around our home, but a dress or skirt if we went anywhere. I was never allowed to wear pants at school unless it was snowy or too cold. We took them off and just wore a dress or skirt for classes. Fun post. ♥
ReplyDeleteDon't tell but I now own 2...2 housecoats. Dear is traumatized if I step out into the yard in my housecoat. My mom and grandmothers always wore dresses and aprons. I have work pants that I wear to mow and garden, our sons old soccer workout pants! Loved this post!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmothers always wore skirts or dresses below the knee....but what I loved in one of your pictures was the 'Priscilla' curtains. My, I have always loved those. They aren't in fashion anymore, but I hope someday they will be. Aprons have once again become popular. What a nice, interesting post!
ReplyDeleteI wear jeans and a shirt around the house, or in the summer, a summery dress or light-weight slacks. I don't wear shorts because of sun damage on my legs from Ecuador.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle used to take family films with an old 8 mm (I think) camera. He had a set of very bright lights that had to be used. A few years ago, he compiled several years' worth of video into a short DVD for each sibling. What a treasure. One thing that struck me was that, in the 60s, my mother and her sisters wore dresses, fitted sheath dresses mostly, for every day wear. They looked so elegant in them. Most of them were made at home. Dress culture has certainly changed.
This was a fun post . . . fun to reminisce and notice the changes . . . fun to read others' comments. I remember my paternal grandmother wearing house dresses. My mom has always dressed up. Dresses/skirts only, high heels . . . yes, even around the house. She laments the fact that people "do not dress anymore." And I am one of those who "do not dress." Jeans are my every day wear, although I find myself putting on my nightgown (summer) or lounge pants (winter) earlier all the time.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun post, Dotsie! Loved all the photos! What a treat! There is definitely "house wear" and "out wear". LOL! It's funny to think about, but I've collected a few cotton/tee shirt like material dresses that I wear at home all summer. Ha! A throwback! I do try to do better when I go out. ;) blessings and hugs ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteI only wear things that are comfortable, but at home I may have on something with a stain on it. Especially if I am cleaning or weeding in the garden etc. If I need to go out, I do change. At home I don't always put make up on, but I always fix my hair.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me shake my head when I see what some women wear out in public! The most amazing was on a Sunday afternoon. We had stopped at the store to pick up some snacks for hosting some friends after church. One gal was there shopping in her pajamas, with her robe and slippers on! They were cute with duckies on them, but I remember thinking, "Really?" After all yoga pants and a shirt are just as comfortable to lounge in and to go to the store in! LoL
I have several "house" dresses--they hang loosely and have pockets--very serviceable! I try to do all my running around on Wednesday, except for when we're called on to babysit. I loved seeing your old photos. Reminds me of my own childhood! I have a quilt my Mississippi grandmother made from the fabric she made her house dresses out of. I remember the dresses!
ReplyDeleteI usually wear pants or jeans and a top around the house. Going shopping it's the same. But to church I usually (but not always) wear a dress. My mom always wore dresses and so did my grandmom and great-grandmom. I think it was just the way it was back then. My sister NEVER wears dresses.
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother's kitchen is beautiful. Love the colors....and the tablecloth. I have several of my mother's.
ReplyDeleteI do remember my grandmother wore a housedress and rolled up stockings..usually to just below her knees....very sturdy shoes and an apron when she was cooking which was three times a day. We only visited in the summer, but I compare her to my city grandmother who worked as a nurse and wore pantsuits. She had storebought cake on the table and was definitely not anything like my "country" grandmother. But having said that- they were both in the south and as southern as could be. I don't wear dresses anymore...maybe a skirt to church, but mostly pants and tops. My mother always wore pants and tops..no dresses except for funerals.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of the "housedresses" Mme Mère wore I think of shirtwaist dresses and bright prints. She was always the glamour girl even while dusting. Once an opera singer always the diva, even at home.
ReplyDeletethose photos are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love this post and the old photos. I can remember the older ladies when I was growing up wearing what they called "dusters" or "housecoats" around the house. They would dress to go to "town" or shopping, or to church,or to events. But around the house mostly wore dusters. On the other hand, when I am in my house I wear yoga pants and t-shirts or my hubby's old hand-me-down 100% pinpoint cotton shirts (SO SOFT!!)
ReplyDeleteDotsie, I love, love these old photographs!! I especially like the one of your grandmother as a young mother and the last photo in your grandmother's kitchen. LOVE those shelves and the blue and white plates. I had curtains like those ruffled tiebacks in my bedroom when I was growing up; they're so sweet. :)
ReplyDeleteI confess that I've always worn jeans around the house when I'm at home. Nowadays, I wear them almost everywhere. To tell you the truth, it's a habit I aim to change. :D
Have a great week!
Hugs,
Denise