Easter attire (13 steps part 17)

While I'm thinking about Easter. I want to tell you about our Easter bonnets. Easter Sunday, everyone decked out in their finest, ready for Church. Mama would send the trolls and Papa out the door first. They were to wait at the foot of the 13 steps, and watch as the ladies descended the steps. 1

Every Easter Mama, Abby, Toni and I would go shopping for our Easter dress, bonnet and white gloves. When we stepped out of the house, we all looked like angels. We would parade down those steps with our heads held high, like the princesses that we were. Papa would applaud, and as Mama's face graced the top step, he would let out a wolf whistle. Mama's face always turned six shades of red, each and every Easter.2

Easter bonnet shopping, was always a ladies of the house ordeal. As if the trolls would ever stand for all the undecided moments that came with the task of finding the right bonnet. We must have each tried on 30 bonnets. And then upon finding the right one, having to take the dress back and exchange it for one that matched the bonnet. Because anyone who knows anything knows the dress must match the bonnet. So Mama after realizing that, started with the bonnet shopping first. 3

And then there were the gloves. I myself find it hard to remember women wearing the white gloves on Sundays. And it wasn't just on Sundays, Mama wore them when ever she dressed up. And if I recall, she had white, off white and beige gloves.4

And hats, there were so many fabulous hats in the 60's. Mama had a hat for every occasion. I remember onw hat that did not leave her closet, it was her pink pill box hat. Mama said "wearing that lovely hat, brings back too many sad memories." She was of course speaking of J.F.K.'s assassination. 5

Women's hats are a lost art form, I do hope some day the fad returns. It just seems sad that now you have to go to a museum to see women's hats. They have cluttered the closets so long that most people ended up tossing them. Thank goodness some donated them to museums.6

While the well dressed women of the 60's were wearing white gloves and hats. The younger generation was opting to burn their bras and go barefoot. Bell bottom jeans replaced the skirts and tight capri pants.7

No more poodle skirts, or crisp white blouses. Rainbow tie-dyes replaced the staunch whites of yesteryear. Comfort was a big issue, the feel of being free.8

Papa did allow the bell bottom pants. And he even agreed to the tie-dyed shirts. But when it came to going without a bra, well he talked to Mama, and made sure she told us, "you will wear a bra young lady." You see I came from an era, when the men didn't give the women advice about things of that nature. 9