If you enjoyed this episode of Fashion Archaeology, be sure not to miss Part 1: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mf6FfIiIA80.html or Part 3: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XA9I437lHCc.html
I was lucky enough to have Great great Aunt's who would gather around my Grandmothers kitchen table to drink tea and have coffee cake. I got to hear lots of stories. My Grandmother didn't have children until late in life. She was probably in her 30s to early 40s. She married the Doctor whom she worked for and she loved him so much! He drove her to places she never would have seen had it not been for him. They drove down the old Route 66 when it was a 2 lane highway. He wanted children so badly and was in his 70s when my mother and uncle were born. I never thought that was fair due to the fact that he would not likely live long enough to raise them. He came down with what was then called Hardening of the arteries when my mother was 9 yrs. old. When my Grandmother spoke of him she always called him the Doctor. She was so tiny that I used to take her to get sample shoes. She wore a size 4B! We were lucky they still had them. She didn't get her driver's license until she was 64. She was the sweetest Grandmother and I miss her.
I know what it is to lose a parent. But Mom lost her Mom when she was 5 . In 1922. Jobs were hard to come by . There were 4 children. Her Dad could build a house but himself. And he was an inventor. Mom’s brother was sent to college. Girls had no need. Back in the late 20’s & 30’s. Times were hard. God’s blessing to those whose parents and Grands were the pioneers. Blessings on all parents who did the best possible for their children.
My grandmother was born in 1898. She was a very well dressed woman, an excellent seamstress and relatively modest in taste. I had the wonderful experience of seeing her wardrobes from the 20', 30's, 40's, and 50's as she saved her favorite pieces! She once made me a fur coat for my Barbie doll from a fur of hers. As well, I do remember a fox stole she'd wear (she sometimes wore her 40's and 50's dresses into the 70's when she passed). I remember her housedresses and aprons, you are spot on! A strong, independent, capable woman who worked to support her children. She fascinated me. I love and miss her still.
Wow! I always love hearing people share their personal stories. It sounds like your grandmother was a very special lady. Thank you for sharing and for watching. 😊
[Not 1920s. Please forgive me…] I inherited my grandmother’s 1940s silver fox coat. It was fabulous. I donated it to PETA. It was dipped in a substance resembling blood, joined a couple of other fur coats, and dragged down Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive.
@@brainmachine235 As someone who sold vintage clothing for years, I once bought a mink stole because it was too good of a deal to pass up, but couldn't bring myself to sell it. So I donated it to the local zoo to use as bedding for orphaned animals. At the time they didn't have a program for this, but I believe they do now. Seems a fitting and just end for furs. Not that I begrudge anyone wearing vintage furs if the climate warrants it.
I have 2 albums of pictures from my Great Aunt and Uncle showing the fashions of early 20th century, WW1, 1920s up to the 1950s. My Aunt was always fashionable. The beach attire was less revealing than every day warm weather clothing today. Loved this presentation! Amazing how some of the knitwear could be worn today, as well as other items.
I really prefer what the Romanov family wore before the Soviet Jews(Bolchevics)slaughtered them,compared to what is available today readymade.King Solomon in the Bible said it was best to wear white,and the Romanov women wore a lot of white.The modest swimsuits looked a lot more comfortable,and a lot less slutty than today.Tight swimsuits always gather uncomfortable sand in the croth in the ocean.Supposedly swimming in the ocean was not always historically practiced in the U.S.A.,and I just see where women in sports has put our wardrobes into the gutter disrespecting us.Coco Chanel's short skirts look very uncomfortable,with her legs exposed,trying to be photographed seated,while negotiating her uncovered body in a revealing short dress; to prevent photographing up her skirt.I just feel women deserve an entire dress which they can comfortably sit in,or bend over without exposing everything,like they are a slave that doesn't even deserve clothing.The Russian Jews were sent over from N.Y.C.to slaughter 80 million Christians in 1917, including Czar Nicholas and the Romanovs,according to Eustace Mullins,in his book"The Christian Holocaust",for period dating their clothing.The first manufacture of color dyed cotton in America was here in North Carolina in Alamance County,Greensboro area,and pieces of the original mill support a building at the rest stop on U.S. Highway I - 40/I -85,mile marker 142.North Carolina was famous for it's textile and hosiery mills,and brown lung for some of the cotton and textile mill workers.Now the jobs have been shipped to Mexico.Hanes Hosiery Mills originated here as Shamrock Knitting Mills in Winston.
That is sooooo cool!!!! I bet that is so fun to look at. Your aunt sounded amazing. She also sounded very thoughtful, especially with putting the albums together for future generations to see. Sure wish I had something like that to look at, and to be able to show my little ones in the near future!
Wow, i cannot express how fantastic your representation of women of colour is. Quite often, unless the Harlem Renaissance is the topic we are not seeing women of colour represented. Thank you, great presentation.
I have a gorgeous heavily beaded tabard evening dress from the 1920s. (No fringe!) 😊 It has geometric shapes on it with jet beads and copper and silver gel sequins. It hits mid calf. I feel so beautiful when I wear it. I love 1920’s fashion! ❤
IKR? One thing that amazes me is that every generation thinks they create something new. I actually used to in the very early 80’s used to to wear a minimizing bra. I’m not huge, but before implants, they made me feel uncomfortable for mainly no freaking clothes that fit the top to the bottom. . And hate to say it it, but the guys🙄 only a small C. I guess that was impressive back then idk🤷♀️ They didn’t strap it down, but kindof distribute it lol.
I love history, and the 1920s is one of my favorite modern periods. I love the careful historical research you have done for this video. I'm 73, and my parents, who married "late" in life, were teenagers in the 20s.
A wonderful presentation of women's clothing in the1920s, which happens to be one of my favorite era. My sister(1926-2022)was a fashion designer/dressmaker, and she made many of my outfits. I dabbled a little at sewing and so I was able to follow your explaining of different fabrics. Our clothing had it all. Beaded dresses, 💃chiffon with feathers, coats with fur collars and last but not least fur coats🦊 👠👛 Can't wait to hear your lovely voice and your next video 👏
I just watched this again, and wanted to say what a fantastic job you did making this documentary, Madison! It deserves way more views! 😄 Who was the African American aviator at 40:41 ?
Thank you very much! I really appreciate you saying that 😊🖤 The African American aviator is Bessie Coleman. She was both the first African-American woman and the first Native American to hold a pilot license, as well as being the earliest known Black person to earn an international pilot's license.
INCREDIBLE!! Thank you so much. This was such an intricate look at fashion of the 20s. My great grandmother was born in 1898, and would talk about these fashions when I was a girl. That influence lead me to study fashion in college. Even with that background and interest I have learned so much from you this evening. Will no doubt bookmark this and return to it. Thanks, again.
@@uniquelymadison it's obvious you put a lot of time and work into this video. Thank you so much for creating it for the world to enjoy. Your calm voice also made it so enjoyable. Please know you are appreciated.
It's so wonderful to have that first-hand connection to history! Have you been able to write down some of the things your great grandmother talked about?
@@storiesbydarian thank you for asking! I haven't written any stories, but I think of her every day. We were quite close, and she was the kindest woman. I recall her talking about wearing turbans to evening affairs -- ones that were satin or velvet with long, tall feathers. I remember her talking (a bit proudly) of owning an alligator purse. I have lots of little snippets and anecdotes. Nothing that could round out a story. I do have a silver mesh cocktail purse from her, and also a monogram engraved silver ladies wallet. The little wallet is on a short chain. Inside it has a space for nickles, dimes, folding money, and a little square for refills of face powder!!!
@@therealJamieJoy Not at all, thank you for sharing! 😊Anecdotes are greatly appreciated for giving that "slice of life" feeling that we don't usually get from history books. It's awesome that your great grandmother's kindness made such an impression on your life; she sounds like a remarkable person! And I'm sure she was quite pleased to have collected, made memories with, and passed down such unique items!
Wow! As the opposite of a fashion conscious person--I wear the same black jeans and sneakers, and cheap T-shirts every day--I love your channel. Your knowledge is encyclopedic, and your speech is impeccable. You could certainly could have been a consultant for the stinker of a film Babylon, which managed to avoid any semblance of the 1920s fashion, hairstyles or lingo. The 1920s fascinate me, and I am fortunate enough to live in a 1920s-built house in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles that retains many of the original features. Also, it's great you showed so many photos of African American women looking so stylish.
That is very kind of you say! Yes, films like Babylon really get my goat. Especially when people think that is 'accurate' history. It is really neat that you live in Highland Park! I used to live in Los Angeles myself, and always appreciated its rich history and beautiful architecture. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment Mark!
For some annoying reason, all of my subscriptions disappeared! Just now seeing this, lovely lady! Always love how attentive to detail you are! ❣❣ You are a gem and immensely underrated!!!
Oh dear! Well, I'm glad you found it in spite of RU-vid's glitches. Thank you so much for your kind words and for watching! I always appreciate you support. 😊🖤
Hi Drea, I just wanted to let you know, in case RU-vid didn't send you a notification again, that a new 1920s episode has been posted! I hope you have a great weekend! 🖤😊🪷
It's clear you have some very supportive people in your life which is wonderful. I don't know you from Adam but just wanted to say that I'm very impressed. Great photos and video clips. You've done a lot of research and applied considerable intelligence and insight into your work. Congratulations and all the best.
Super interesting and well done. The opera coats were stunning and the colors were gorgeous as well. I also wanted to comment that I really appreciate your enunciation.
This is such a cool series!! I live in the historic art deco neighborhood of South Beach & it’s so cool to see how the ppl lived & dressed here 100yrs ago. Tysm for your beautiful time & dedication to this series ✨🫶🏽✨
I once borrowed a reprint copy of the 1927 Sears catalog from the public library, and saw there a lot of the styles pictured in this video. That image of the 2 girls fencing in middy blouses and skirts made me think of gym uniforms. (1920s PE uniforms were certainly more attractive than the ones I had to wear in middle school and high school in the early-mid 1970s!)
Wow, Madison! You've really outdone yourself with this documentary! 26:02 I never knew that Prince Edward popularized the Fair Isle sweater. It was fun to see all the wacky styles and designs people put on them! 😊
@@storiesbydarian This was absolutely fascinating! I hadn’t thought, but it’s tiresome to cross your legs at the ankle, but it was expected; women for the most part, complied. The Royals continue the pose “ankles crossed” to this day, as do most elegant women worldwide. Then it dawned on me that Prince Harry’s wife was baffled by it. That’s an aside, and this is a masterpiece. Thank you.
@@ardentynekent2099 You're right, and yes, this definitely is a masterpiece! If I may, though, I believe you wanted to direct your comment to @uniquelymadison 😊
Just found you. I have zero criticism 😮 You literally covered everything i want to know AND i want to watch these two vids I've found again to absorb even more. Well done 👍🇮🇪 😁
You’ve certainly outdone yourself on this installment, Madison! Job very well done my friend, as I was engrossed in every detail, I couldn’t help but think about the hours of work involved to produce such an informative documentary. I’m ready for the third, and last installment! This should be required viewing for fashion students. Very much love to you my dear friend. ❤️❤️❤️
I really appreciate you saying that Cindy! I think this took at least two months of back to back work. 😅 Thank you so much for your support and kind words. 😊🖤
Very well researched and interesting presentation. I've pictures of my aunts wearing similar clothes in the 1930's. The prices in the ads were very interesting. As a senior in my 70's I've seen several decades of women's wear. I'd say in my opinion the largest change in women's wear is the wearing of pants over dresses. 🙂
This was a time when femininity was celebrated, unlike today, 100 years later. Many TV shows, particularly crime dramas seem to think female characters need to adopt more masculine characteristics.
Right!! A strong woman is someone who overcomes life's obstacles by virtue of her feminine traits. When Hollywood tries to be progressive, but only pushes this image of macho-womanhood, what they're really saying is, "there's no such thing as strong femininity". And that's a flat-out lie.
Thank you Madison for your in depth research and well scripted presentation. This has been such a pleasured series to watch and learn from. I enjoy your channel so much. The various subjects you present keep me throughly addicted. Thank you again for such amazing content!
Thank you so much for this content. I'm writing a historical fiction novel based in the 1920s decade and of course accuracy is key. I will be describing my characters' (women and men) using much of your information here. Thank you so much!
Aw, I am delighted to help! As an artist I get a special joy hearing that my videos help / inspire other creative people. Thanks for commenting and for watching!
I found Emily Post's commentary in her book on etiquette amusing...she did not like the look of the 20's and thought the dresses looked like shapeless feed sacks. 😂 she wasn't exactly wrong
Only halfway through, and blown away with the macro and also micro points of the decade. I always thought I liked 30's and 40's fashion the best, but this video re-invigorates my appreciation for the beauty of the 20's and the radical changes women were going through.
Wonderful gimmick free presentation, extremely well researched. Your voice is very calm, soothing and easy to follow and this helps enormously in making the best of interesting source material. A superb reference piece and thoroughly enjoyable.
Fantastic job! The 20s/30s is my favourite fashion era to learn about and this is the best one I’ve seen so far! Binging your videos now and a new subscriber here! Keep up the good work! Best wishes from Scotland 🏴 x
Oh how wonderful! Thank you for both watching and subscribing! I was especially delighted to hear that you are from Scotland. Your beautiful country is at the top of my "Dream Countries to Visit" list.😊🖤
So worth the wait! I so enjoyed your thorough commentary and abundant historical clips and pictures! I chuckled a bit when trying to imagine wanting to “emphasize my hips”…times have certainly changed! Ha! Nonetheless, somehow the ladies pulled it off. Sending you all a big hug and hope you have a wonderful memorial weekend! 💕🙏🏻💐
Yes, I found that interesting as well. It's funny how fads come and go. 😂 Thanks for watching Carolyn! I hope you and your family had a great Memorial Day Holiday too.😊
loved this video. im a huge fashion history nerd but i havent done much research of 1920s fashion (i prefer 19th c fashion) so i found this video very helpful! one of the outfits i wear the most is 1920s inspired, a blue polka dot skirt that reaches right under the knee and a loose baggy shirt with illustrations of paper dolls n paper doll clothing, very adorable. maybe i should try wearing one of those 1920s flattening corsets with it hehe
Really well done on the vid. You must be pro film maker. I loved all the still photo's and short live action clips. Excellent narrator as well. I learned a lot.
You can see quite clearly how expensive clothes were back in the 1920s (or, more accurately, how cheap clothes are now). At 22:25 some of the blouses are $1.98 which is roughly equivalent to $35 today, but most are around the $5 mark, which is ballpark $85-90 now.
Thank you for the fashion history and your take on it. I agree with you that Hollywood only uses a small example in their movies when there was so much more. As an x design student many years ago I myself love the 20's, 3o's and 40's with so many beautiful designs and materials. Fashions change too fast today.
Indeed, it can be quite irritating to see. Especially when people get awards for "best costume", while the garments are horribly constructed or a misrepresentation of the time period. Thank you for commenting and for watching!
Fantastic. Very informative. My Mom was born in 1927. I still remember some of the fabric that survived the war, and my mom was using it to make my clothes. Most beautiful silk and linen. What a quality!. I'm fascinated by this period. Thank you so much.🌹👠👗
Wow, that must have been so special! Home made clothing have such a wonderful sentimental quality to them.😊🖤 Thank you for sharing and watching Barbara!
I'm so glad to hear you say that The Fringe dress wasn't the only dress worn in the twenties I can't stand it when I see a picture of the twenties and the headband and the feather in The Fringe dress on the heavy makeup is so wrong finally somebody else agrees with me thank you very much. I hope you do one on the 20th at the clothes I just think they're fantastic
I know right?! It is frustrating to see how the 1920s are so misunderstood. But I'm happy to hear you enjoyed my work so much! If you have not already, please feel free to check my other fashion history episodes here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XA9I437lHCc.html . Thanks for watching!! :)
How did I miss this wonderful video !!! Your fashion archaeology videos are so thorough and well done Madison ! I have lots of hand made clothing that my great aunt made in the 1930's. I was wondering if some were made in the 20's, but I think your video cleared that up for me. I see that a woman would have to be rather small in the hip area to look good in the drop waist style dresses of that day. Oh, this was fun ! Thank you !!!
Aw, thank you! I have had several people say that my videos are not showing up in their subscription boxes, so it may have just been RU-vid hiding it.🤔😭 I'm so glad you enjoyed my video and thanks again for watching! 😊
Hi Madison ! Wonderful ! I've been so busy with yard work that I haven't been on RU-vid much this past week. It will be my treat to watch your video tonight ! Thanks so much ! If you have a PO box address that you'd like to share, I'd be thrilled to send you something of my great aunt's.
@@MokiGirl No problem! I hope that you enjoyed it. 😊 Aww, wow! That is so kind of you! If you wouldn't mind shooting me an email at uniqueme1943@gmail.com , we could talk about it.🖤
I enjoyed this very much. I remember seeing photos of my Grandmother(born in 1899) in various dresses...depending of what was happening..[casual or dressy]
Omg, I so appreciate all of the photos. It’s feels so good to see those like me in the type of fashions. All of the photos and the information you in part is so amazing. How I wish we still dress in such a interesting style. Instead of like slobs😩
I have to include my grandmother. She was a young lady in the 20’s. Married in a handkerchief hemmed dress, I have a photo of her near the time she graduated. Would love to share my precious Helen!
Oh how delightful! If you are comfortable sending in a photo, I would be happy to feature her picture in my next episode on the 1920's. My email is uniqueme1943@gmail.com.
I’ve watched both parts several times already. Your research and presentation is so impressive. I’ve learnt so much and thoroughly enjoy looking at the great combination of photos, illustrations and videos 👏👏👏
The art was less about women being skinny and more about the angular art deco style of the time. You could often see ads with advice for women to gain weight to be more attractive. Being fit and athletic (not too thin or too heavy) was the goal. Being too thin was considered sickly, especially after the Spanish flu of the 1910s.
My Dad and my Uncle were orphans as their mother died and his father was from Wales and had been shot and gassed in WWI. His father couldn't take care of two boys when the depression came. They were taken in by distant relatives, all the men were Firefighters and lived a block above the line separating Chinatown from the middle class houses. When I was young they taught me how to tie knots behind my back and in the dark by feel. They lived two blocks away from "Ruby Chows" restaurant. This was where the top City men held court.
Listening to your comment about the increase in mass produced dresses made me wounded if the need for the mass production of uniforms during WW1 contributed to this. Factories that had been producing uniforms suddenly needed a new market for mass produced clothing other than the military.
Im 72 and remember how gracious my mom dressed...I, at times still wear some of that attire, especially hats and pencil skirts above the ankle...draws 'attention' 😉...it remains beautiful...I love it..GREAT SHOW ‼️❤
Madison, your comprehensive research and vast knowledge of so many different fashion eras, styles, textiles and designers is extremely impressive! You should have way more subscribers, as you are such an authority on this niche subject. I have always found your videos fascinating and so entertaining. Fashion from the 20s through to 50s is of particular interest to me. Your accurate insights into the 'real' constructs and designs of each era's garments and accessories is amazing. There are too many channels on yt, who only focus on what the wealthy wore or inaccurate information about the so-called 20s Flapper girls' tassle and fringe dresses. You not only address this, but you include what ALL women of the era wore. I noticed you mentioned how 20s prints and dress shapes were also incorporated into countries with more traditional clothing, such as Japan and China. The Japanese women were very sophisticated and wore such beautiful dresses and gowns. All the women in this video looked elegant and refined, whether they were dressed up or had a more casual look. It shows us that people from all walks of life were stylish too, regardless of how modest their financial budget may have been. Anyway, thank you for creating this brilliant video Madison. It's certainly a fabulous blast from the fashionable past. Much respect and admiration from Australia. 🤩☮️🇦🇺
When I was young, my friends used to tell me I looked like Louise Brooks, so any time I spot her I'm really checking her out. You showed her several times here. And that's Coco Chanel herself at 23:59 and 35:29, if I'm not mistaken.
Excellent video! Thank you! Except for jeans and tshirts, when speaking about dresses or skirts and blouses, fashion hasn’t really changed all that much since then. PS Harlem isn’t a city. Harlem is a neighborhood in New York City.
Fascinating! Love seeing the diversity in women's clothing throughout the 1920s. Question: a few shots show hems just above the knee, which surprised me. Any idea how common that was?
It was not too terribly common but it did happen from time to time. Most skirts however hit just bellow the knee so when they moved or sat just a flash of the knee would show. 😊
@@uniquelymadison Thanks! That's what I thought, just below the knee was common for the youth at the time, and that was considered short as it was. It must have been downright scandalous to wear a dress above the knee.
In the twenties my father had the best newspaper route in Seattle. His route included the top end of Chinatown. He delivered to the restaurant that the City Fathers hung out with the Gangsters. So my Dad knew and went to school with the Gangster's children. When I worked with my father in the eighties he would have a pastrie and an espresso at Borachinie's bakery. The cooks would come out, throw their arms around him yelling Bobby, Bobby. I was always Robert to them. Young Robert, and I would get a free pastry.
Women's hemlines changed substantially during the 1920s. After 1925, hemlines rose higher, often hitting just below kneecap. A dress from 1922 was far more modest and frilly than a frock worn in 1928 or 1929.
Yes, I'm sure that hat was just a decorative piece and not worn for too long. 😄 Thanks for stopping by, and if you want to see more hats stay tuned for part 3! 😊
I know now why I can’t get a decent haircut with todays styles, because my partly straight curly hair really wants to the curling under boob look of the 1920’s, who knew! Plus, I like hats like these but we don’t wear them these days. 😊
I miss hats. there were hats for many occasions. I recall going into a hat shop with my mother. That is all they sold there. I miss stylish things like hats. I even miss gloves. Driving gloves, white cotton gloves, gloves to the elbow (I wore a pair of those to my high school prom.) Brooches and pins are having a moment currently, and it’s lovely to see them.
@jayneneewing2369 I was born in 69, so hats and gloves weren't a thing for me; however, I've always loved the look of them. Fancy dress today pales in comparison to everyday Edwardian wear. My daughter took ballroom dancing/etiquette classes when she was young, and white gloves were required. We had such trouble finding them!
@@kimmieess6171 - Wearing gloves, or a hat, or both, made you feel special. Coordinating outfit was a lot of fun for me. Now, I seeming to be down to coordinating what jewelry to wear - which is also fun; but being an old broad I am happy that I had all of those experiences. By the way, where did you find the gloves? On line? Thanks of posting me.
@jayneneewing2369 my mother has told of how special it made her feel to wear a hat and gloves. It was just that "little extra." She was a bit of a tomboy, but they had to wear dresses to school. Dressing for church in her hat and gloves always made her feel like a lady. She and her sister always had matching dresses (my grandmother was a dressmaker), shoes, and even little matching handbags (always containing coins for the collection plate and a handkerchief). The 50s were a lovely time for fashion, and I'm obsessed with it. We found the gloves at a bridal salon, by the way. The girls all looked adorable in them.
I do talk about them in my most recent episode. There was so much to talk about, so I had to split them up into parts. 😊 You can watch it here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XA9I437lHCc.html .
