Women’s fashions in the 1920s reflected radical changes affecting many areas of post-World War I American society. Many of them rejected, at least temporarily, the traditional roles of wife and mother and instead entered the workforce of the thriving businesses of the period or enrolled in colleges and universities, which were also experiencing rapidly increasing enrollments.
The working girl and the coed were typically young, simultaneously more liberated and more apparently frivolous than their mothers, and intoxicated by the attention lavished on them by the popular press. “Is the Younger Generation in Peril?” asked a long 1921 Literary Digest article. Typical of journalism investigating youth during the decade, it focused almost exclusively upon young women’s fashions in dress and cosmetics.
Articles of this kind inevitably linked short skirts, the rejection of the corset, and bobbed or shingled hair with “licentious” behaviour—smoking, drinking bootleg whiskey, listening to jazz, dancing the Charleston or Black Bottom, necking, and petting.
Selling shame–The cosmetics industry boomed during the 1920s, and … was immediately suspected of being immoral — a woman of “easy virtue. By the late 1920s, “permanent waves” were also available to women willing to change their hairstyle was immediately suspected again of being immoral—a woman of “easy virtue.
Unidentified dance troupe.. The photo went for over 150 dollars at an auction– way over my budget- Photo- Linda Seccaspina
Clipped from The Winnipeg Tribune, 08 Oct 1917, Mon, Page 6
Sexual health posters from the 1940s reveal how warnings against STDs focused on prostitutes, pinning them as dangerous disease carriers and advising soldiers to resist temptation.
Dozens of campaigns portrayed these women as wily temptresses, referring to them as ‘good time girls’, ‘pick-ups’, ‘procurable women’ and ‘victory girls’.
Others mimicked the style of war propaganda, calling on men to ‘fight syphilis and gonorrhea’ and using images of dutiful soldiers to encourage them to get tested.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)
Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.
Are You the Perfect Woman?
Women Arrested for Wearing Pants?
Women Smoking Pipes?
The Taber Business College- Women in the 20s
A Tale of Two Women
How Many Women Does it Take to Replace a Team of Horses?The Doukhobors
Friday October the 13th– 6:30.. meet in front of the old Leland Hotel on Bridge Street (Scott Reid’s office) and enjoy a one hour Bridge Street walk with stories of murder mayhem and Believe it or Not!!. Some tales might not be appropriate for young ears. FREE!–
Here we go Carleton Place– Mark Your Calendars–
Friday October the 13th– 6:30.. meet in front of the old Leland Hotel on Bridge Street (Scott Reid’s office) and enjoy a one hour Bridge Street walk with stories of murder mayhem and Believe it or Not!!. Some tales might not be appropriate for young ears. FREE!–
Join us and learn about the history under your feet! This year’s St. James Cemetery Walk will take place Thursday October 19th and october 21– Museum Curator Jennfer Irwin will lead you through the gravestones and introduce you to some of our most memorable lost souls!
Be ready for a few surprises along the way….
This walk takes place in the dark on uneven ground. Please wear proper footwear and bring a small flashlight if you like.
Tickets available at the Museum, 267 Edmund Street. Two dates!!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1211329495678960/
OCT 28th
Downtown Carleton Place Halloween Trick or Treat Day–https://www.facebook.com/events/489742168060479/
lindaseccaspina 