"Appropriate" Clothes

We just got back from a short vacation this week. I am still catching up on the laundry...

During the vacation I took a book with me from a series that I had read when I was a young teenager. It was written in 1960, so the sentiments in the book are still in the 50s mindset.

Appropriate clothing, for example. I was struck by the references as they seemed to be addressing a growing trend amongst the younger set. The storm clouds were gathering! As I was reading I knew I had to do a post about it. Ironically, 50s gal has posted about this very same thing. You can read her post HERE. Apparently, it's time to speak up about the situation of "appropriate!"

Read the excerpts below and see if they sound an interesting chord with you.

(Donna, who is 14, has been asked to a party. She has decided to wear her cashmere sweater. She asks her mom for permission since it's her "special occasion" sweater.)

Mrs. Parker sighed. "I suppose it's all right. And which skirt will you wear with it?"

"Skirt? Why, my plaid Bermudas, of course."

"I should say not!" Mrs. Parker announced, in a very definite tone. "Personally, I think it's disgraceful the way you girls wear shorts to parties. I certainly will not have a daughter of mine appear in public, in the evening, and with a boy, wearing shorts."

"I don't care," the dark-haired girl pouted. "Everybody wears shorts, and I don't see why I can't, just because I have a mother who's so old-fashioned."

"It's not necessary for me to give any reasons," Mrs. Parker said. "However, my own feeling is that half the trouble with the young people today starts with the way they dress."

(The boy comes to the door and the little brother comes up to tell Donna. He informs her that the boy is wearing "A shirt and tie like Dad wears to the office, and a fancy jacket.")

Donna smiled. Wasn't it lucky she had worn this dress? She grabbed her short white gloves and slowly, majestically, walked down the stairs."

(Funny how Donna didn't give her mom credit for insisting that she dress appropriately! Donna's best friend's mother had just died and Donna wanted to go to her house to comfort her as the arrangements were being made. Her mother had just explained how important it would be for her to just be a friend.)

"Now get dressed so you can go over to Ricky's."

Donna sighed. "Could I wear my dungarees, or should I wear a dress?" This was all such a new experience.

"Certainly not dungarees. There will probably be other people at the house, Donna--family and friends. Dress as you would to go to school."

(Donna and her mother invite Ricky on a shopping trip to look for a dress for the 9th grade graduation. Ricky has chosen a more grown up dress than the full-skirted dresses the other girls will be wearing.)

According to Ricky, it was perfect. She ran her hands down the sides of the gown. "It looks as though I'd been practically poured into it," she said delightedly.

"Don't you think it's a little too bare looking for graduation?" Mrs. Parker asked, trying as hard but as tactfully as possible to discourage the girl.

"Everyone else is going to wear full skirts," Donna added. "And won't that be hard to walk in? It looks sort of--" she searched for the right word, "--sort of slinky."

(Ricky later realized it was indeed inappropriate and returned it.)

Interesting, no?

My favorite drawing in the book showed the two girls (14-years-old, mind you!), the mother, and the hostess as they entered the luncheon area. What they're wearing is appropriate for shopping and a light lunch. Nary a dungaree in sight!