Aunt Mary's Memoirs: XXIII

Mother wore high-necked shirtwaists and long, flowing skirts with high button shoes, as this was the fashion of the day. I had large bows of ribbon for my hair and wide silk scarves or sashes around my chubby waist or slightly below. The style of bathing suit for a trip to the seashore was more like a dress with full bloomers underneath, worn with stockings, shoes and a cap, of course, to hold our long hair.
One birthday I was given a pretty parasol, white with huge pink roses and green leaves. Ladies carried these for protection from the sun. Another cherished gift, at Christmas, was a knitted wool cap and scarf. When I wore this with my fur muff which was lined with silk and had a small purse embedded in it, I felt proud as I could be.
There was a beautiful velvet bonnet which was very becoming to me, it was said. It had been a hand-me-down from a cousin, as was the good red chinchilla coat with the bright brass buttons. I received many good clothes from this cousin, who was a few years older. As my cousin outgrew these pretty things, Mother was only too happy to have them for me.