General Everyday Clothing

1861 - 1870

2nd Great Aunt Elizabeth Lock

Elizabeth was born in 1824. This photo was taken in the early 1860's. Note the hair covers her ears; in the late 1860's the ears were shown. She is also wearing "engageantes" - false white detacheable sleeves which were easily removed for laundering. These were introduced during the 1850's. Submitted by Katarzyna

1891 - 1900

2nd Great Aunt, Elizabeth Paternoster

Elizabeth b 1843 married her cousin John Paternoster, a gamekeeper so they were a working class family.The photo would have been taken in early 1890's. Plain suits with little ornamentation except perhaps a brooch on the collar; hair tied back in a bun with no fringe was the order of the day. Submitted by Katarzyna

Great Aunt Emma Beadon Sporle

Emma, b 1876, married Jacob Stechmann a tailor in West Ham in 1898 but I believe this photo to have been taken in 1895-6. Collars were high and with a ruffle or lace under the stiff outer. Emma's father was a sailor and then a railway porter so again they were a working class family. Submitted by Katarzyna

Shooting Party c1895

Ezekiel Paternoster b 1810 (far rhs with bushy white beard) was my 2nd Great Grandfather. He was an agricultural labourer on an estate in Rushmere St Andrew, Suffolk. This was the era of La Belle Epoque . The hip length capes of the ladies are very masculine and functional as befitted their country style of living. However in high society the capes were embellished with embroidery, lace and beading etc and were much more frivolous in appearance. The double layered cape worn by the 3rd lady from the left was introduced in 1894. Submitted by Katarzyna

1901 - 1910

25th Wedding Anniversary 1910

This photo shows the younger ladies wearing simple skirts and blouses. Often they were worn with a straw boater or wide brimmed hats for very special occasions. I think Grandma was left back in the 1890's!! Submitted by Katarzyna

1921 - 1930

Family Group 1923

This photo is of my mother, her brother and my grandparents. For the first time ever in Britain ladies showed their ankles!! For many the hair was cut short. Submitted by Katarzyna

1951 - 1960

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