Looking at Clothes
Madge, 1919
Sepia and colour photograph of Madge taken in a Co. Tyrone photographer’s studio when she was four years old. Madge is wearing a white cotton smock dress, embroidered blue at the yoke. The dress has a round collar; the long sleeves have the same embroidery detail as the yoke. A cotton lace slip can be seen just under the dress. She is wearing ankle socks and brown laced-up shoes.
Armstrong family album.Madge, 1919
Armstrong family album.
Armstrong family album.
Madge, 1919
Sepia and colour photograph of Madge taken in a Co. Tyrone photographer’s studio when she was four years old. Madge is wearing a white cotton smock dress, embroidered blue at the yoke. The dress has a round collar; the long sleeves have the same embroidery detail as the yoke. A cotton lace slip can be seen just under the dress. She is wearing ankle socks and brown laced-up shoes.
Armstrong family album.
Man's Business Suit Advertisement from 1956
Advertisement showing a typical man’s suit from 1956. The text reads: 'A 'Boyle' suit - easily recognised by its distinctive cut.' The suit shown is striped and double-breasted, with wide lapels. It has loose-fitting trousers with turn-ups. This style is typical of the 1940s and 1950s. The tailor was S. J. Boyle, Convoy, Co. Donegal.
Central Library, Letterkenny.Man's Business Suit Advertisement from 1956
Central Library, Letterkenny.
Central Library, Letterkenny.
Man's Business Suit Advertisement from 1956
Advertisement showing a typical man’s suit from 1956. The text reads: 'A 'Boyle' suit - easily recognised by its distinctive cut.' The suit shown is striped and double-breasted, with wide lapels. It has loose-fitting trousers with turn-ups. This style is typical of the 1940s and 1950s. The tailor was S. J. Boyle, Convoy, Co. Donegal.
Central Library, Letterkenny.Let's take a look at the clothes people wore through the years in Donegal. The clothes we wear can tell a lot about the way we feel about ourselves and the way we believe the world sees us.
These days, many public figures have stylists who help them choose what clothes to wear. They are very conscious of the image they want to project. Clothes communicate a large part of this image.
People often dress to match their lifestyle. Clothes for fishermen, farmers and outdoor workers must be warm, hardwearing and waterproof. Office workers often wear clothes considered smart and respectable.
Fashions change frequently, and provide insights into the attitudes of the times. We will now examine some of the style changes that have taken place over the last century, with a focus on Donegal.