Fashionable meeting for Ladies Lifeboat Luncheon Club
The Ladies Lifeboat Luncheon Club was pleased to welcome David Paling and his wife Anna to their meeting at the North Star in Flamborough on Wednesday, October 21.
David has a lifetime of experience in the textile and fashion industry and entertained us with an interesting talk about the history of fashion from early last century up to the 1950s, illustrated by his portfolio of detailed drawings.
He traced the development of women’s clothing through the decades and explained how fashion developed from the complex costumes of the early century to the more casual clothes of the fifties and beyond.
Cultural and social shifts made the biggest impact on fashion as the role of women in society changed with world events, such as two world wars when women needed more practical garments.
Technology and the mass production of clothes meant that a wider selection of fashionable styles was available to more women.
These were more readily available with the development of the departmental store that many of us in the audience have fond memories of.
After the stock market crash in the 30s followed by the Second World War, clothes were in short supply but the introduction of the zip and the hook and eye made it easier for women to make their own clothes.
As rationing ended and more synthetic fabrics came on to the market, clothes became more relaxed, leading to the advent of sportswear and the more casual styles that are familiar to us today.
A spokesperson said: “A vote of thanks was given and several members gathered round David to view his drawings in more detail.
“Our next major fundraising event will be our Christmas Coffee Morning on Wednesday, November 25 at St John’s Church Hall in Sewerby. Everyone is welcome and, as always, all proceeds will go to supporting Bridlington Lifeboat.”