Dress Like Your Grandma?

Would you?

This is a new challenge hosted by Tanya of the ‘Mrs Hughes’ blog

The idea is simply to recreate a vintage garment, inspired by an old family photo, or if one doesn’t exist, ANY old photo that tickles your fancy.

Both my parents’ mothers died before I was born, and very few photos of either of them ever existed. My dad’s dad never remarried, and was eventually buried with the loveletters and elaborate cards that they had sent one another during their courtship.  She was, by all accounts, a lovely woman.

My mum’s mum dies very young, with my mum not much more than a tot, and her baby brother not out of nappies.  A few years later, grandad remarried, and mum’s stepmother was something of  a tartar, as we say round here.  My mum has little to say about her that’s positive, but she was a doting [if stifling] parent to my late uncle, who had learning difficulties.  I suppose she wasn’t all bad!  I remember her as perpetually clad in headscarf [over curlers] and an apron, with down at heel slippers and patched bloomers, which you would get an unpleasant eyeful of as she hitched up her skirts to warm her bum by the fire!

When she went out of the house however, she would transform into a very smart [if severe] woman, well shod, always wearing  a hat, and cutting a fine figure.  As soon as she came back in the door, back on with the scruffy house clothes!

I’ve had a rummage, and found copies of copies of the few photos of them, plus my mum and dad’s wedding picture.  I doubt if I’d be inclined to reproduce any of these:  the 1930s and 40s styles are not to my taste, although I’m so intrigued to know what nan Sabin’s wedding dress looked like behind that gorgeous bouquet!

We played dressing-up in my mum’s 1960 dress for years, eventually trashing it.  I doubt if she was impressed.  It was a lilac brocade, very pretty, but a bit too girly for me perhaps… Unless I can find an image of something that I can do as a steampunk look, I don’t think this challenge will fit me.  You never know though!

Anyway, here they are

Nan Sabin, possibly her engagement photo, so early 1930s?  This dress reads as maybe crepe satin, with a beaded or devoré top?  Rather lovely.

Nan and Grandad Sabin, mid-to-late 1930s.  What a handsome pair!

Nan Sabin, I suspect just after WWII.  I love that handkerchief-sleeve, she’s a bit fancy for housework don’t you think?  She apparently always wore her hair plaited and coiled at the sides, way before Star Wars!

Nan

Nan Packer, my mum’s mum.  This is one of only 2 pics of her in existence that we know of.

Nan and Grandad Packer.  I think this wasduring or just after WWII.  Love that hat!

My mum and dad, apparently standing on the living room table so they could get a full length shot!  Doesn’t my dad look like his mum?