How it use to be..

I recently had a conversation with my 85 year old grandmother.

White eyelet skirt INC Concepts -White top Forever 21

She was telling me about how when she was a child, her mother 
who had 9+ children was the one in charge of making the entire 
family's wardrobe, down to my great grandfather's linen undergarments. 

Black patent pumps Vince Camuto - Black bag Michael Kors 
For Christmas, her father would gift them yards of fabric, 
so they would have garments made. 
- Can you imagine ? -
As her older sisters grew they also began sewing for the rest of the family. 
Back then, there were very few stores and even then, 
there was very little to chose from. 

Pearl rings Parfois
The conversation sparked because we walked into a store and 
she started talking about how now you can buy anything and 
then some as there are so many choices. 
This made me think about how our habits have changed, about 
how very accustomed we are to having things done for us,
and how in the midst of it all we have gained but also lost.

5 comments

Alexandra Zakharova said...

I think older persons from all parts of this wide world have similar stories to tell and it's quite interesting to listen to them;) Nowadays we live in absolutely different world, everything has changed.
By the way, you look great in white, such a classy outfit turned out! Keep in touch!

Mica said...

That is very true! I got some hand me down pieces from my mother in law that had been hand made for baby - you just don't see that many hand made clothes any more never mind baby clothes!

I've always thought it would be nice to learn to sew my own clothes...but never got around to it. I remember sewing things in school and getting so frustrated when I made mistakes, I don't think I'd have the patience to make an entire wardrobe, wow!

Away From The Blue

A Very Sweet Blog said...

My grandmother was talented like that. She could make dresses and skirts. Such a lost art. Lorena, that skirt is absolutely GORGEOUS! I just purchased an eyelet skirt and was wondering about pairing it with white. I will definitely do the same. GORGEOUS! I don't know why I typed Lorraine in my comment in the next post. HAHAHA
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

LyddieGal said...

Wow, now that is something. I can't imagine having to make a wardrobe for an entire family. Of my sewing experiences it usually took me at least a month to make anything.

And what a bummer for Christmas - that's like getting chores instead of gifts.

Also, your white on white and eyelet lace is totally making me swoon.
Chic on the Cheap

Sheila said...

First, that is a lovely outfit on you - I adore that skirt.

You are so right - my mom used to make a lot of our clothes when we were kids - we also had a lot of hand-me-downs. Maybe that's why I like to shop so much (even though it's mostly thrifting).