In which Helen explores clothing fashions over the decades

from London Lite

The world's oldest person has died aged 115. Edna Parker, of Shelbyville, Indiana, US, was born on 20 April 1893, and was the world's oldest person for just over a year, according to the Gerontology Research Group in California.


----
Imagine that! This woman was born in the Victorian Era. Born a woman without the right to vote.

Lived through the two world wars, through the depression.

Saw women get the vote. Lived through the jazz era of the 20's, and the revival of the victorian era that was the 50's and the feminist 70's.

Lived through each different fashion decade that in many ways defines the era itself.

Through --

the late victorian period:




the Edwardian period (1901 - 1911):




post world war one 20's:




turbulent 40's:




the watershed family-centered (post-world war II) 50's:








The "modern era" 60's, exemplified in Britain by the modish Twiggy:




70's:


(real airline stewardesses at the time)


punk-rock 80's:




my adolescence, the 90's:




And today:




Just compare this last pic of Britney with the late Victorian outfit -- and you can tell what evolution has been made in the clothing industry -- or perhaps I should say devolution.













She saw cars (which existed when she was born) completely take over the horse and buggy --in most western societies.



My own picture of an Amish buggy and child (taken years ago before I discovered they don't like having their photo taken). Near Erie, Pennsylvania.


She was born in an era of individual will -- one the Amish still try to preserve -- to live through to the era of mechanical dependence.

I imagine she never thought she would live to see the Millennium.

She was born in an era that looks (almost) completely different to what it looks like today.

Which only makes me think how different the world will look if you or I live to 115 -- or 100 -- or 90, 80. Either way, I guarantee it will look much different to what it does today.