Cloches, and Other Family Fashion Fails

Even my beloved nana, Clara couldn't make a cloche look fashionable. If she couldn't pull it off, you probably can't either because she was the best dressed woman I've ever known. She was about 26 here, and I believe it was taken when she arrived in Canada. 

 This was her husband, my grandfather Jake. He had a news stand on the South Side of Chicago. In the background, you can see the original Walgreens (before they were a multinational). When they painted the store, they'd come over and put a coat on the stand for my grandfather. He dressed like that for work every day, with a tie. And yes, it wasn't just the paperboys that wore the flat caps. Another hat fail for the family photo album, but the rest of his clothes look smart. This photo dates to 1947. I never met him as he died not long after this photo was taken. My grandmother remarried in the early 70's.

This is Aunt Jeanette (my grandfather's sister-in-law). This photo was taken in upstate New York where she lived with Uncle Joe. I tried to zoom up on her shoes and handbag, but the photo was too blurry to begin with. I think we can get the idea though. No idea who the kid in the background was-it wasn't theirs. 

This is Uncle Joe. He was a Communist, and he wouldn't apologise. I'm named for him (just the first letter, but that's a peculiar superstition we have about not giving the same name to two people or the angel of death might get confused and take the younger). I'm just Bolshie enough to appreciate being his namesake. When his dog died, he penned an obituary, and managed to get it published in the paper. I forgot to mention-it was a half-page obituary complete with photos. He really loved that dog. I can't find any fault with his clothes-Uncle Joe wins the family, "Best Dressed" award. Even the mustache is perfect. 

I'm going to caption this one: Don't Marry a Guy You Only Dated For Two Weeks. Six years into the marriage, they have that look of, "Snap the goddamned photo already so he will take his arm off me." They spent 36 years of misery together until my mother died. Kids, there's a lesson here-long courtship.

My parents, could have used some fashion help. I like how they couldn't be arsed to put down the cigarettes for a photo. My mother favoured trousers to skirts and dresses, which sometimes did result in her being turned away from restaurants as she wasn't appropriately attired (that was still happening in some places into the early 70's). It didn't stop her though. Unless it was a formal affair like a wedding, she wasn't likely to be found wearing a skirt after about 1960. I always wondered where those candlesticks came from that I see in the bookcase. I have them now, but I was never sure if they belonged to my grandmother. Old photos are great for establishing provenance. This photo is dated 1963, which looks about right. Eventually the piano ended up where the bookcase was.  

This is my sister and myself playing with some toy. I'm wearing what looks like a party hat, so perhaps it was my birthday. I remember that television, and I remember when we got rid of it. That was the worst day of my life. We had a Grundig shortwave, which I spent more time with anyway, but seeing that television being taken out of the house was heartbreaking. I think I cried. I'm sure I did. I tried zooming up on the books, but all I recognise are the set of Churchill books. We did have books all over the house, something I'm really thankful for all these years later. I can't believe they made me wear a pinafore with a Peter-Pan collared blouse beneath. What sort of sadist was my mother? I'll bet Judi dressed me. 

 Today, I'm still dressing like it is 1970-but no Peter-Pan collars, thanks.

 What this polyester beauty needs is a wide-leg pair of white sailor trousers. Let me know if you spot any in my size.

 My vintage Naturalizers are cracking apart, but I'll keep wearing them to the bitter end because I adore them.

I'll wear just about anything, but a cloche. Sorry Nan, but those hats make everyone look stupid. Well, maybe if I move to Canada and need to keep my eras covered in winter I'll consider it. 

Have a great weekend everyone!