on how many small starving children could be dressed in the excess material. I dare say they wouldn't be, but why not?
Banquets are the same kind of flaunting of riches over need. Suppose every banquet for a year were merely a normal meal and all the extra courses were packed in boxes and shipped abroad? How much food would we send?
Here in the country, we feel easier about food when we raise every bit we can, and when we freeze or put up the whole year's supplies. We may not quite see how that extra row of carrots which we do not buy is going to get to Europe [remember, this is post World War Two], but we feel it is helping somehow.
Gladys Taber
Stillmeadow Seasons 1950
And still the designers win the battle over women. Luckily I'm old enough now to ignore them. Not that I ever gave them much of my time or money...
ReplyDeleteThe last time I was really fashionable would have been maybe 1968. :<)))
DeleteI wonder if it is the time of year or what... I have just read on another blog about how someone feels this way this very year. She wrote about it in much the same way.
ReplyDeleteI do think that autumn is a pensive time. The rush of summer is over, and we can give our attention to the deeper thoughts and feelings.
DeleteGladys had such a social conscience for a woman of her time. She and Jill really tried to do their part and were constantly helping others less fortunate. And I always smiled in understanding at her worries over buying a new outfit. And then when she'd find something in a catalog that she did like she would buy it in 3 colors! One of which was always lavender!
ReplyDeleteWhat a dear lady!
I do this all the time! When I find a piece of clothing I love, I buy a few in different colors. I've had too many experiences of loving something, and then the next year or two it isn't around anymore. I've learned my lesson, probably just as Gladys did.
ReplyDeleteI do that, too! There are six or seven blouses in my wardrobe, all exactly the same cut, but in different colours. They provide the basic layer of my business wardrobe, along with two pairs of black trousers and several demure skirts and jackets.
DeleteAs for the vast, sweeping skirts - well, I love such dresses, too, and am not of the opinion that having beautiful dresses means taking away the fabric from starving children; on the contrary, if the money is wisely spent, it can help others by keeping them in employment. And who says one can't wear beautiful clothes and help with social causes at the same time?
I don't think Gladys really thought so either. I think this was one of those thoughts about those who have so much and those who have very little.
DeleteGladys' sentiments hold true to this day. I enjoyed seeing this passage, Nan, and your sky. It looks just like ours did today, as it scattered snowflakes about. Nothing stuck, of course. Not yet. Right now, I sit at my keyboard, old clothes on and a mothy shawl keeping me toasty.
ReplyDeleteThank you, again, for you Kindle encouragement. I really appreciated it, Nan.
Ooh, we haven't had snow yet. The snow tires go on tomorrow so the snow shouldn't be far off. :<)
DeleteI remember Victory Gardens (when I was a child)...everybody grew what they could, even on city lots (that's where I grew up). Her thoughts ring true today too though ... and I think we're doing worse not better. not only all those banquets but TV shows about cooking contests and even (grossest thing in the world) eating contests. While other starve.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I hear we in this country are turning into the very, very rich, and the rest of us. I'm appalled by some of the spending I read about.
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