I realized when I posted some of the "Lessons From Yesterday" that there would be content that wouldn't be appreciated, and statements and illustrations that would be disagreeable. Maybe it's worse than I expected. I thought there might be some value in several ways though, and decided to post them from time to time. I didn't anticipate how badly they might be perceived. After all, there is a context for the teachings, 55 years ago just after WWII. There are a few paragraphs in italics below from a modern article, the whole of which is available at http://cti.itc.virginia.edu/~kmr3c/fashion/fashion.html that I hope disturbed readers might consider.
May I say that perhaps we should try a little harder to understand where arguments from the past, relating to fashion as one example, came from, and why they have been difficult issues, because we still struggle with appropriate discernment about what does and what doesn't matter. WCK in his radio lesson was concerned about women taking on men's roles, as reflected in changing clothing styles. He stated it in a way we perceive now as demeaning, but historically, and culturally, the change from skirts to pants did matter, whether we approve of at least some of the changes or not. The change in fashion reflected a struggle in society, a redefining of roles. We aren't done with the subsequent changes yet, whether good or ill.
caf... the United States entered the war in 1941 and every industry, including the fashion houses, fell under control of the government. Although rationing was not immediately necessary, many changes in clothing production and design were made to accommodate the changing lifestyle on the home front. As men left to serve their country in the military, women were greatly encouraged to take the men's jobs in order to do "their part" for the war. Thousands of women took jobs in
airplane factories, shipyards, and other industrial venues which all required them, in essence, to act like men. The impracticality of dresses and high heels led women to discover the comfort and mobility of coveralls and slacks, ... Also, shoes were redesigned to provide maximum comfort during work and allow women to walk to and from work more easily in order to save gasoline. At this time, denim became a popular material for work jumpsuits because of its durability and unrestricted access. As women gained more and more power, they began to take on the role of the men through their clothing. The powerfully broad shoulders that took shape in the thirties made their impact on forties style and suits became the preference for no-nonsense women of the war. The garment on the left is a museum piece illustrating the typical style of the broad shouldered suit. Clothing manufacturers met this demand for functionally empowered apparel and began promoting it as the style of the "new woman."...
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