Everyday Women of the Golden Era

[LizzieMaine]

We all know the highly-idealized images of Golden Era women -- movie stars, magazine models, pinups, etc. -- but for most of us, those looks are great to see but neither practical nor attainable for everyday life. So here's a thread where we can draw inspiration from images of ordinary gals of the Era -- the hair isn't always picture-perfect, the makeup isn't flawless, the clothes didn't just come off a designer's rack, but they're still attractive -- and that's the way most women have always looked.

Here's a few to start with, courtesy of the ever-valuable Life Magazine archives:



Office worker, 1940



Sunglass wearer, 1938



Mother and kids, 1940



Airplane mechanic, 1940



Lecture audience, 1940

Plenty more out there -- find them online or find them in your own family album, and post them here!

["Skeet" McD]

As usual. Thank you, Lizzie!

"Skeet"

[Mojito]

Love this idea!

Here's my Nana - a very non-1930s ideal shape, with her husband Maurice and babies:

[JennyLou]

Thank you so much LizzieMaine for posting these photos. What a coincidence! Just last night I was looking for pictures on the web of ordinary women from back then to get some inspiration for my next sewing project. I didnt have much luck. I want to sew a dress that an ordinary women would have worn back then. This new thread is just what I need. Tanks again.
~JennyLou

[Lotta Little]

What a great thread. Mojito--I love that baby's cape, great picture.

[LizzieMaine]

Here's a few more, again courtesy of the Life Archives --



Office workers, 1947



"Typical Teen-Ager," in after-school clothes, 1944



Another "typical Teen-Ager," in school clothes, 1944



College girl, 1940



Another college girl, 1940

And from my own archives, my grandmother and mother, 1942:

[Elizabeth.F]

If anybody's interested, here's my great-grandparents in 1937:

[cherry lips]

I love this thread already, and it's only just begun!

[Audrey Horne]

The first two are my grandmother (on the right), the third is my great aunt. These should be from the mid 40s.

[LizzieMaine]

If anybody's interested, here's my great-grandparents in 1937:

*Great* shot -- especially her shoes!