Figure 1.--Kurt Ard was born in Copenhagen, Denmrl (1925). His family immigated to America (1950). He is an illustrator, painter and graphic artist. SOMe of his ilustration are as quisentiallyAmerican as Normn Rockwell. He became internationally known for a large number of cover pictures for journals in both America and Scandanavia (1950s-70s). The illustration here is 'Now and Then' It was an for 'Familie Journal' (May 28, 1957).

Girls continued wearing dresses or skirts to school. Pants become more common more common for casual wear. Capri pants were popular (1950s). We also see girls wearing jeans, mostly standard blue jeans, often rolled up a bit. Designer jeans would not appear until the 1960s. These were some of the first long pants widely worn by girls. Dresses dominated the first half of the 20th century. Blouses and skirts became interestingly popular during the second half of the century. We see girls wearing T-shirts once primarily worn by boys. A popular fad was the poodle skirt. Dresses certainly had no disappeared. We even still see sailor styles. We see some dresses with bolero jackets. Dresses with narrow waistbands and wide skirts seem popular. Common items include: crinolines, colorful scarves, plaid pleated skirts, shirtwaist dresses, Peter Pan collar tops, twin sweaters, and pop-its bead necklaces, and white bobby socks, Bobby socks were so prevalent that teenage girls were known as bobby-sockers. Footwear for pre-teen girls included lace up oxfords (rather like the boys), strap shoes, and sandals. Teenage girls wore saddle shoes, penny loafers, ballerina flats, and sneakers. Boys also wore saddle shoes, penny loafers, and sneakers. The boys and girls sneakers, however, were different. Moms with younger boys did not always understand this. School wear was still very different than school wear. Schools had rules which were enforced, especially secondary schools. Most secondary schools did not permit girls to wear pants, This did not begin changing until the late-1960s. Shorts of course were out of the question. Skirts and dresses were worn at knee level in primary school, but well below the knee in high school. Tops had to be were modest. Peter Pan collars were common. Jewelry was minimal, if even permitted at all. Foot wear varies in primary school. Some children in the South still came ti school barefoot, even some girls. Leather shoes were common, but we do see sneakers. Secondary school was more regulated. Leather shoes were expected in most high schools. We do not see sneakers. One fashion expert writes,"Each school had a dress code that had girls looking like young professional women, not the rock n’ roll loving teenagers they turned into on the weekends."

Created: 3:44 AM 6/26/2025
Last updated: 3:45 AM 6/26/2025