There’s nothing I love more than staring down a photograph of an ancestor, examining every minute detail, from the location of where it was taken to the era in which it was captured. But there’s one thing that captivates me the most about each one, and that’s the fashion!
For the most part, my ancestral tree is filled with superbly, fine-dressed folks whom I share so much admiration for, for the sheer reason of getting all dolled up just to leave their house! In this day & age, you’ll hardly see me donning much more than joggers and a sweatshirt. So I have to tip my hat (pun intended) to all the generations that came before my lazy millennial crowd.
John C. Eggenberger and his kids (left to right) Alta, Raymond, Louise, and Vera, Ottawa, Kansas, circa 1920, original photo in possession of Sandra Vallo.
In fact, my grandmother, Alta (Eggenberger) Foltz, is one whom I’ve always thought extremely photographic. The camera took kindly to her on most all occasions.
Harry and Alta Foltz, Easter Sunday wedding photo, 2 Apr 1939, original photo in possession of Kira Foltz.
But not everything in the Eggenberger wardrobe was the most flattering. Here’s where Alta and her siblings may have gone right, wrong, or just plain sideways:
FASHION DO
John C. Eggenberger and son Raymond, circa 1926, original photo in possession of Sandra Vallo.
Alta’s younger brother Raymond is looking quite dapper in his 3-piece suit, standing with their father, John. He may not seem pleased, but the men of this family sure knew how to look sharp.
Siblings Vera, Louise, Raymond, and Alta Eggenberger, likely in Kansas, circa 1920.
And while oversized bows may have long gone out of style, it’s definitely making a comeback now, so Alta’s two older sisters, Vera and Louise, were just century-old trendsetters!
I think all the kids look well put together here in their dark stockings and light tops and dresses.
FASHION DON’T
Louise Eggenberger and husband Sidney North, undated photo.
Here’s a snap of Louise with her husband Sidney North, likely in their early 20s, ready for a night on the town, I’m sure. With her coat, gloves, hat, nylons, and hair done up, I can certainly say she would be styling in her heyday.
However, in these modern times, I’ve got to knock her outfit down a peg, as it’s quite likely that the fur wrapped around her neck is real animal fur. If it were faux fur, then she wouldn’t be earning a faux pas for this look!
FASHION DISASTER
And that brings us to our fashion disaster hidden amongst all of my Eggenberger family photos.
Louise and Vera Eggenberger, circa 1922.
This pic features two of Alta’s sisters, Louise and Vera. I think their twinning dresses were likely meant for Halloween or a school play maybe, but with no context of why they are done up as human-sized flowers, I must deem this attire a runway nightmare.
It’s the head gear with the petals that really puts me off! The girls sure seem to be proud of their costumes though. I give them credit for modeling this garb so contently. I have no doubt they were homemade, and to that effect, I fully applaud my great grandmother for her excellent sewing and stitching skills, since it was likely her handiwork. Let’s just hope there really was a performance-type purpose for these frocks, and the girls didn’t wear those hats out in public.
FASHIONABLE FAMILY
Overall, the Eggenberger siblings were some of the most fashionable kids in my family tree, and it’s a wonder that happened, considering their grandmother, Ester (Sauvain) Eggenberger, was a fairly strict Mennonite, who stuck to wearing traditional and modest ensembles.
But they were lucky to have grown up in the 1920s and 30s, really, in the golden age of fashion!
(Photo on Left) Ester (Sauvain) Eggenberger Ziegler with grandchildren Vera, Louise, and Alta Eggenberger, undated. (Photo on Right) Alta Eggenberger at sister Vera's wedding, 1930.
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