Susan Reynolds, tales from the Artsy Asylum

Homecoming '64 and I look so self-conscious . .(the photographer hated the boyfriend) . but I really was thrilled - this guy was a sweetie.

Bad cloting choices:

1.) Could my lapels be any skinnier?, The jacket arms shorter? The jacket length less skimpy? And all buttoned up; what's with that?

2.) A headband? Probably stretchy at that - tisk tisk - better off leaving the hair unfettered

I like the shoes though - black suede heels with black grosgrain ribbon accents - timeless.

3.) oh oh - date's wearing white socks

The guys look so normal . . .
the real question here is why did those girls let me make them wear those dorky headpieces?

Again it's a story of the BOWS -They had organza "petals" streaming down the back of the hairdos - and I made them myself.

Too much art school.

As if the yellow chiffon sleeves and daisies around the neckline wasn't enough indignity?

Fall 1963 and oh my those coat buttons and the sticky up collar - and what's with the bow and mary janes? I was almost 16 for heaven's sake!

Same time period,continued . . . . remember the 80s and the pouffy bangs trend?

With unlimited supply of shirts from "the Limited", trendy daughter #2 and best friend are preparing art reception mailings.

Now this fashion trend below . . .

(and I did not get this from my own family)

. . . well, I just plain don't have any comment on it.

Words fail me

Dad again, age 18 in 1924 -The hat is tres' stylish and while the shoes and shirt look almost timeless.

Even though those pants are just a teensy bit over the top, he's a looker.

And don't tell my son he looked just like grandpa at that age; even if he did.

A few years, ruffles and still more hair later. Maybe age 6 or so? . . And pssst . . . what's with the belt?

Another generation, another bow. . . . oooh and sequins on the taffeta dance costume.

It's the early 50s and I must have been 3 or 4 - My mother mistakenly had me confused with Shirley Temple

In about 1890 my grandmother was 15 and lived near Erie Pennsylvania. The granddaughter of William Allison & Daughter of George Gifford, she had a classic look.

I wish I had a more complete photo of the ornamentation, but in any case the neckline is dramatic and she looks a lot like a cross between my daughters #2 and 3.

Get ready. In this family things went downhill from here. . .

Some years and children later - the Don Johnson look with the rolled up sleeved white jacket is in full flower here, and the bow hits this generation in the form of a tie.

Remember when converse high tops hit big with a new look in vibrant colors about 1985? At left, just one of the multiple examples that graced our doorstep.

Another season, another high-tops color combo below.

A few years later - No, they're not swim trunks - Recall something called "jams"? Funny but true.

Summer 1961 and the bow strikes again as a sash . . . and the story about the curl in the middle of the forehead would be _ _ _ ???

Again. . . what were we thinking ??? My sister at left with very BIG hair and then at right. . .

. . . actually I can think of a place where a bow would be a nice touch.

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The last day of school - June 1958. That's the one day that burgundy wool uniforms and saddle shoes were not required at Hennepin Hall and the crinnolines were in full flower.

That's me on the right - having forgone the bow for a flowered headband and a casual pose.

Below, dad with older McMackin half-siblings -
my quick question

. . . they hadn't invented bras by 1937 I'm guessing?

Dad's girlfriends included the two above, preserved for posterity in his scrapbook. I wish the photos were more clear but we get the picture of pre and post flapper eras.
The name writen next to one reads "Toots Dairy" I kid you not.

Grandmother McMackin was a very proper lady both in the photo at the top of the page and here, in the fall of 1964, at age 89.

Timeless and unruffled by trends, crisp in her perfectly pressed cotton shirtwaist dresses, she was a good influence on me, as you will note by my formal gloves!

Dad's sister Rachel, right, sports a heck of a bow and is one miserable looking kid.

Daughter #3 said she'd also be unhappy too

What? I would have thought I was a princess!

Daughter #2 and granddaughter would both first check it out in the mirror . . . then dance around in celebration.

Baby sisters grow up, as did aunt Rachel, here age 12. She's looking happier here. But still has the ever present hair adornment.

I haven't a clue about this trend. My cousin Joy looks perfectly fine at left with her baby brother - if you can get around the bow - but below, with the cow it's . . . um . . . different

You know, I try not to judge, but I can't help thinking that this cow riding thing had to be odd even for Lake County Ohio in 1910.

Summer of 1980 and I'm dressing my baby son in lime green tie-dyed shirts?

My dad with his dog, . . .. Dogs are always in fashion right? The kid has to be about 4 here - maybe time to let him get his hair cut?

Prom, May 1966, the year of the powder blue dinner jacket

This photo gives new meaning to the term "moldy oldie".

Apparently reeeely big heeled shoes were in style in 1951, or left over from the 40s. My grandmother would likely have disaproved of my mom's friend's casual pose.

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a century of questionable clothing trends
illustrated from actual family life

It's about 1910 and dad's nieces have a better photographer than the rest of us. I question the size of the bows . . . but bows and proportion seem to be a genetic issue. And you have to admit the girls look spiffy.

The whole adornment thing rears it's head again in my grandparent's honeymoon photo.

Is it the hat or the elderly bridegroom that makes her look glum? I like the derby - very dapper!

Dad and those same nieces apparently dressed down when they were visiting out on the south 40. Eventually he got a haircut obviously.

What; no bows? I see he has what looks like white shoes - could that really be?

. . . the upholstery - the hair - the sideburns - the glasses . . . It was the mind numbing effect of the 70s!

(I can see why daughter #2 wants to wear a disguise)

The year of the super POUFFY dresses, hair, etc. Satin and tulle were flying along with the rice. All I can say is even from the perspective of the 4 year old flower girl the outfits are so not slenderizing.

Susan Reynolds & the Artsy Asylum Studio presents. . .