Iris's Chapter · 1940s; possibly 1950s
Bobby Socks, White Blouses, and a Mother's Handmade Skirt
told by Iris Lee Guild Retzlaff
Iris remembers bobby socks, saddle shoes, and the importance of having at least a half dozen white blouses—never colored ones—to feel fashionable during the war years of the Forties. Pleated skirts and cardigan sweaters completed the outfit. She recalls poodle skirts coming later, she thinks in the Fifties, and describes them as full, flared, ankle-length felt skirts, some with poodle appliqués. Her mother made hers.
In the family's own words
In the war years of the Forties, I remember bobby socks and saddle shoes. Every self-respecting girl wore them. I wouldn’t have been able to consider myself “in” if I didn’t have at least a half dozen white blouses in my closet, but heaven forbid, no colored blouses. Pleated skirts in plaids or solids and white blouses with a cardigan sweater to top it all off was the uniform of most of the Forties. Then, of course, later I think in the Fifties, the poodle skirts. A full, flared skirt, ankle length, made of felt. Mom made mine. Some had a cut-out poodle appliqued to them.
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