My Favourite Eras!

I have chosen two. I was born in 1950, so I was a teenager and ardent follower of fashion in the the mid to end 60's. At school I did 'O' grade then 'H' Grade Dress and Design, followed by a 3 year Diploma in the same subject from 1968 to 1971. My mother had been a tailoress, so sewing and especially dressmaking was in my genes. It was not uncommon for me to purchase fabric and pattern on a Saturday morning and wear the garment the same evening ! Sometimes we sent away for swatches of the fabrics since our choice was somewhat limited in Aberdeen and we'd spend ages choosing the right fabrics. When 'Crimplene' appeared we had to send for some. It was so innovative. So new. So trendy. I sometimes think that it's demise was caused by it's hardwearing qualities, and I've become convinced that some dresses I've seen recently for sale in the high street are made from the self same fabric (except nobody calls it 'Crimplene'). So it's obviously been stashed away...after all it is virtually indestructible!

 Now I've also chosen the 50's. Obviously I was too young to be much interested in Rock 'n' roll (though I was very keen on the Beatles, and that's how they started). No, my interest was kindled when I met my second husband, and he, being older than myself, had been a Teddy Boy in his youth. In fact he still had a suit. So it was that I discovered 'Be Bop' and the joys of this rather slower "lazier" form of jive that he'd learned at the Hammersmith Palais as a young man. We delighted in doing this at the British Legion in Buckie on a Saturday night, and we won a competition - clinched when he threw me in the air and either side of him. Now this move was not really in the Be Bop, but we'd got it just right due to our being able to do 'lifts' at ice skating. Thus it was we brought the house down...or it might have been the stockings and suspenders I was wearing!!

When we moved  to this area we attended many 50's events but we couldn't find his Teddy boy jacket. So I used my tailoring skills and made him a new one , with velvet collar and cuffs. He was so chuffed as people remarked upon it.

He left instructions that on his death he didn't want people to wear black, he wanted his favourite 50's music played and he wanted us to have a Rock 'n' Roll dance at his wake. He was dressed in the jacket and all his 50's outfit, just as he wanted and we followed his instructions. Some mourners came dressed in 50's style also, and we danced.......

A few weeks later I was clearing out the loft and lo and behold I came across his original jacket and waistcoat. I altered the waistcoat and I have subsequently worn them both with my 1950's outfits, which I often wear when I go to tribute concerts. Sometimes I cry when they play the music he so loved. For that wasn't my era, but his, and we shared it together.

Thank you for reading, Kath.