Friday, January 27, 2023

Market St. in Chester aka Delco Fashion for ladies 100 years ago

This postcard of Market St. from the early 1920's gives some idea of how Market St. aka Chester City was the place where Delco went to shop etc. As far as fashion went the 3 girls on the far left show the changes in girls clothes. Each of the girls are wearing different lengths. 


Note: It is hard to imagine today but 100 years ago Chester the only city in Delaware County was the scene of future fashion for women. One just had to go to Market St. and see what the young girls were wearing. The Chester Times in those days covered the latest trends in fashion. GO EAGLES!!!


CHESTER TIMES 

 September 25, 1922 


WOMEN DOFFING SHORTENED SKIRT 

Wearers Seem Desirous of Appearing Older Than They Really Are

               Although autumn arrived officially Saturday afternoon at 4:00 o’clock, not one woman on Market Street noticed it.  The eyes of all were turned not to the incoming season but to the incoming styles.

               The “flapper” has grown up overnight.  She has done something to her sheared tresses so that they now look like a big girl’s and she has lengthened her skirts to the extent that the ultra-fashionable are not going to be accused of joining the sidewalk-sweeping forces.  If any proof of the demise of the knee-length dress is wanted by the incredulous let it be recorded here that the youthful grandmothers have given up wearing short skirts.

               The fall “flapper” doesn’t “flap.”  She lolls.  She looks consciously blasé.  She has an air of wishing to appear much older than she really is.  Market Street discovered that yesterday.  Not only the skirts of the majority are of extreme length.  Most of them were neither long nor short.

               But just the same, each and every “Colonel’s lady and Judy O’Grady” was looking to see just how long were the skirts of her sister.  “Look at that skirt!” was the remark most often heard in passing.

               Several costumes furnished eyefuls, especially so those draped affairs that somehow resembled in their general effect a statue covered for the summer when the family goes away.  In length they seemed to show a desire to get into contact with the sidewalk.  Panels and points gestured concrete award to such an extent that the shorter-skirted sisterhood registered signs of envy by pretending to be amused.

               The warmth of the day didn’t keep the furs at home.  There they were – blonde furs and brunette furs, some red and others black, many gray and others blue; stoles, chokers, collars and “animal skin” effects.  Many were tossed over the right shoulder with studied jauntiness.  But many of the larger pieces were carried at half-staff in the crook of the elbow, as autumn was but autumn in name and the almanac.

               In addition to the furs, others fall wraps made their appearance in large numbers.  Most were capes or coats cut in such a way that their sleeves were hidden by folds of cloth.  Some were so befringed that they displayed a certain kinship with Carmen’s native land.

               Were there fall hats in the autumn parade?  Of course.  But it must be remembered that a woman puts on her winter bonnet in the latter part of August, so there is little to tell on that score.

               Man played an inconspicuous part in the parade.  One was discovered wearing spats, but they were obviously too much work by him last season.  Another had on a topcoat and yet a third wore white shoes.  But not an off-colored derby could be found. 


DCHPN Monthly

E-Newsletter


January Events

 Please check the websites for updated information before attending and be safe!

 

* Indicates a free event. Some events require pre-registration and close when full. The list includes events in the surrounding areas as well. If you have an event you would like on this list on future e-newsletters, please submit by the end of the month to dchpn_planning@yahoo.com.


Heritage Commission Workshop- Make a Four-Flap Enclosure for Archival Material

Mar 25, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Redwood Community Center at Upland Park, 280 6th St, Brookhaven, PA 19015

 

In this workshop, participants will fold, cut, and assemble a custom four-flap enclosure, learning about the appropriate materials, tools, and techniques required (all supplies included and no experience required). Templates and additional resources are available. $10 for materials

To register, email: DelawareCountyHeritage@co.delaware.pa.us Payment by check or cash can be made in advance or at the door


Heritage Commission Updates

Preservation Awards

The Call for Nominations is open now and due February 28. If you know of any recent preservation projects (site/building preservation, special projects, individuals, legacy businesses) please keep this in mind and encourage others to submit nominations.

 

Seminar/ Workshop on Collections Care

The Heritage Commission Seminar will be a collections care workshop on March 25. It will be a hands-on workshop where you will create a four-flap enclosure to hold an artifact/book. No experience necessary. Registration will be in January. $10 includes materials. See event in above list or go to the website for more information.

 

Information on both are on the Heritage Commission website

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