Sunday, January 31, 2010

Sharing Cheese Puffs with Grandma-can it get any better?


I'm off to New York for a few days, so until I get back, I leave you with these. (Yup, it's just past 4:30 and I'm about to get in the car. Fun!)

"Oh man, I was not a fan of the polish dance. I did it for a year because my grandparents wanted me to. I hated being on stage, and I never learned to skip for the big production and I felt really self-conscious about it. I also didn't like wearing make-p. I felt like a clown and I never liked clowns. I'm glad I did it though, because I think this picture is hilarious." (via)

I agree, but also completely adorable. Kind of the Polish equivalent of making your kid wear Lederhosen.

I am in awe of the moment in time this next photo captures.

"Note the use of the gun holster by my brother. The outfit I'm wearing was one I hated. I believe I'm sharing cheese puffs with my grandma while reading Beverly Cleary." (via)

I know that she barely shows up against the wealth of patterns and images in this photo, but I love this girl. Beverly Cleary still rocks, and who doesn't love chowin' down on a bowl of cheese puffs--a BIG bowl of cheese puffs--with grandma? Better not get any cheese powder on those slammin' sofas!

This photo is so much less about her outfit than about the shag carpeting, the sofas, the afgan on the back of the couch, the stunning seascape above her head, and the fact that if she actually rocks that rocking chair, she will certainly get in trouble for dinging the wall behind her.

Granny is clearly watching TV, perhaps the Andy Williams Christmas Special? And brother feels so proud of his big holster. (Please don't go there.)

Who wouldn't want to escape into the world of Henry, Beezus, Ramona, and Ribsy?

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Is that supposed to match?

WOW.
"I can't decide--do we look like the Joad's [sic] or Bonnie and Clyde (think rabbit equals machine gun)?
Now, I know we all joke with our parents (especially our mothers) about how they dressed us as children, but I do [feel] like I've got a legitimate case on dress code violations!" (via)

The only thing working in this photo is those lilacs. Of course, I guess I could say that there are many elements that are STUNNING. The mid-calf shorts. The black socks with sneakers. The shirt/shorts combination. The hair--oh, the hair.

The hand on hip. The Scout-like countenance. The Ed Grimley effect with how high the shorts are pulled up past her hips. Checkerboard pattern! Her brother's big 'ole patches on his jeans. The scrub they are standing in. The shirt buttoned to the neck. And of course, the stuffed rabbit.

Clearly a day meant for the family photo logs. Enjoy!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Little Miss Hee Haw

If only it were Earth Day, this photo is so green, it would just be perfect.

"Hideous Green Outfits, September 1976.
I can't believe mom made us wear these...what on earth was she thinking???" (via)

I like that the detail goes down to the matching hairstyles. And of course, one of my faves--the sandals with socks. No one wants chilly toes!
One question--what were they wearing under the jackets and did that match too?

This woman calls her photo "Little Miss Hee Haw," and I think she is funnier about it than I could ever be.

"Even Mary Ingalls thinks I look like a hillbilly, and that chick's freaking blind.
My mom sewed this whole outfit (including the bonnet) for Rodeo Day. What? Your town didn't have a holiday where all the schools let out so the students could get their poultry gussied up for the livestock show?
It wasn't until I was in my 20's when I realized that Rodeo Day was in fact not a national holiday. Actually, I suspect my school just switched out Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Rodeo Day. Because who needs to celebrate the life of a civil rights hero who fought for equality when you could be q-tipping your bunny rabbits ears for judging? Those bunnies aren't going to groom themselves, people. Geez." (via)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Some photos feel like a present for me

My feeling is that it is always the right time for some holiday cheer.

"Matching Christmas outfits. Endlessly humiliating." (via)

I think the girl on the rocker feels fancy and fabulous. Her sister, on the other hand, has a slightly demonic look on her face. Is she rubbing her hands together like a villain, thinking of her next evil deed and laughing mischeviously?

This photo feels like a little gift to me.

"Me as a kid with my parents in our matching outfits." (via)

Much to say. Thoughts coming faster than I can type. Almost can't control myself!

Bandanna fabric--always one of my faves. I love it with the matching afghan on the back of the sofa. My grandmother made those, and why were they always in pastel colors? Perhaps acrylic yarn only comes in those colors.

Next-is Dad high in this photo? Note that both he and mom are wearing t-shirts under their bandana shirts. I assume that this is so he can remove the shirts as soon as possible, once the picture taking is over and his damn mother-in-law gets off his case for once. He's looking for a job, damnit! And if he smokes a little weed, who does it hurt?

I am also in love with Mom's barrettes. I went through a phase of holding back my bangs like that, with little kid barrettes worn when I was in my grudge, living in the pacific northwest and wearing gas station attendant jackets phase. Why couldn't I have had a bandanna shirt too???

Finally, what's up with the date on this photo? Did she take a photo of her photo? I like the low tech approach. No scanners necessary.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

What's Cookin' Colonel Sanders?

Today's outfit is so finger lickin' good, it requires a post all its own. That's right--the Colonel Sanders Bow Tie.

"I still remember wearing that little bow tie...I hated it." (via)

While I empathize with his plight, he does look adorable. Perhaps it's the slightly Eastern European flavor of his coat, and his hair, carefully combed and set in place for a big day. But to appreciate that, it's really important to see the outfit in context.

"I could never put my feet next to one another. I liked standing like my dad." (via)

Clearly, the pale, monochromatic outfit was a family trend, although Mom, who looks rather nervous and uncomfortable here, was breaking out with her maroon skirt. Dad and son look serious, staring at that camera with intensity.

What was the day's big event? That's right. First Communion.

And as if to prove that venue was somewhere in Europe, note the boy in sandals with knee socks--always good for a formal occasion.

I must say--it seems rather unfair that Europeans have an ability to rock outfits that would make most Americans look and feel completely idiotic. I'm not saying these kids didn't hate their clothes, but merely that the hating cannot obscure the fact that they can make these things look cute. Is it something in the water?

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

That kid is smokin'

A question for readers--Does headgear count as a "my parents made me wear this?"

"I can't believe my parents made me wear that contraption." (via)

Okay, the reason I think this qualifies is that this poor child was forced to wear this headgear while posing with someone else! The humiliation! And, he was also forced to wear those glasses with his headgear. That is a therapy double-whammy right there.

Our next young man was perhaps in need of several kinds of intervention.

"It's not that I'm pretending to smoke that worries me. It's what my parents made me wear!!!" (via)

More things concern me here--although yes, he and I are in total agreement about the faux fair-isle cardigan sweater with printed t-shirt. That is not something I would pair with the Batman t-shirt he is wearing underneath.

More troublesome to me is the copious amounts of alcohol behind him, which is an interesting combination with the Santa Pez dispenser. Is there some kind of fancy bar drink I am not aware of? "I'll have a Vodka-Cranberry-and Pez."
I am also assuming that the small cans on the shelf are beer, in which case, why warm beer? Does that go better with a cigar? This boy had several reasons to drown his sorrows.

Finally, this boy's shirt combines many compelling elements--purple, the zippered neck, and the ribbed fabric. So delightful. Don't you think his loving parents thought he would look cheerful and carefree for his school photo?

No surprise that he says "My parents made me wear this." (via)

My only question is-was it short-sleeves? To me, this is a short-sleeve garment, perhaps worn with a pair of hip huggers.

Monday, January 25, 2010

I love Bamberger's!

From afar, this dapper young man's bow tie looks like it has ears on it. But really, it's just paisley--such an easy mistake, don't you think?


"Yep...It's a Dork...God, I look like a used car salesman.
Want to make sure your kid gets beaten up for 3 years straight? Give him a bowtie to wear for his class picture."

It's also good to see that my favorite menswear store was responsible for this outfit.

"Suit courtesy of Bamberger's Department Store in Newark, NJ. Thanks Dad!" (via)

In case you don't remember Bamberger's--think Ascots! Apparently, the store was famous for neckwear?

Saturday, January 23, 2010

International Day

It's a shame when parents force a child to embrace their family history in the form of a fashion faux-pas.

"The dress I am wearing is from Sweden...and the sweater is from Norway...My parents made me wear that outfit in the 17th of May parade in 5th grade. I remember being completely embarrassed and feeling like the biggest nerd in the world..." (via)

Sometimes, family history is not a good thing.

And do you think she was actually forced to wear this with members of some sporting team? Or were those letter jackets for band? I am thinking band, which makes it even sadder that they look cooler than her. (No offense intended to any special readers who may have been high school band members. I still recall my darling cardigan with letter from my junior high school marching band. What's better than a cardigan with a white turtleneck?)

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Foundation for Children Dressed by their Parents

Where there is a need, there is always someone ready to help.

Traumatized in his own childhood, this young man grew into an adult who has obviously had the right amount of therapeutic intervention. Now, he seeks to help others.

"Foundation for Children Dressed by their Parents

You can make a difference in the lives of children like these. The trauma of ugly clothing can last a lifetime. Please help to end this needless, but all too common tragedy with your check or money order to..." (via)

Thank goodness the interweb allows such victims to come together, healing themselves by helping another.

Share your pain here. Email your photo and story to myparentsmademewearthis at gmail dot com

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Thank goodness the kids are so cute!

These cutie brothers bore the unfortunate cross of a mother who loved the matchy matchy.

"1984 or 4 I'd guess...Mum always made us wear matching clobber on school photo day - nice!" (via)

Okay, I did have to look up what clobber means and apparently, in England, it does mean clothing. Of course, it could also mean what happened to these boys for wearing matching outfits to school.
I love how huge the chest icon is on that sweater. Much cooler than the Le Tigre I sported in my passport photo at around the same time--pale blue with a striped ribbon in my hair, and white jazz shoes with baby blue laces to match my shirt.

This girl is so rockin' her tortoise shell glasses, who cares about her ugly handmade dress?

"Hello 1973! My mom made me this dress." (via)

I don't quite understand what haircut was happening here, and that fabric looks stiff and completely uncomfortable. That being said, I wish I'd worn my glasses with that kind of confidence. In my mind, she's the girl who might have had some tough times in school, never one of the upper echelon of the middle and high school social scene. But when this girl got to college, watch the hell out!

Another girl with glasses was saddled with the Laura Ingalls Wilder look as well.


"My dress looks like it belongs in the 1870s, not the 1970s." (via)

While she is lamenting her own Big Love-style dress, I am in awe of her sister's outfit. (At least, I'm assuming it is her sister.) I always like something with a built-in, short-sleeved bolero jacket--in MUSTARD.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Stripedy Stripes

Poor "Valerie," stuck in an outfit that should have been on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

"I hated this dress...It was Mom's favorite." (via)

I think my mom probably had a blouse like this. The era was big on the pseudo-bow/tie for girls. And the fabric was so breathable!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Election Day-Get out the vote Massachusetts!

It's election day here in Massachusetts, and how better to celebrate than with a bit of school picture patriotism!
"I don't know what year this is...but I'd guess 1976 by the very patriotic shirt my mom made me wear. I'm also not very fond of my semi-Dorothy Hamill haircut. Oy!" (via)

I had some similarly rockin' garb for the big Bicentennial. Stars and Stripes bell bottoms that I wore when we went to watch the Tall Ships come to New York. I think there may also have been face painting involved.

Here is my rationale for including the next photo:
These children have clearly been forced by their parents to be on this White Shadow team. There is no way any self-respecting child would wear these uniforms of their own accord. And since their parents obviously signed them up for this team...

"Only the coach's jacket is worse than our uniforms." (via)
Langley Park Rules! Go Cardinals!!

This Dapper Dan was all dressed up for his big sister's wedding, circa 1977.

"What! Whatever possessed my parents to dress me in this stupid little bow tie and brown shirt. The only time you catch me wearing bow ties are when I am doing my miming at childrens' parties wearing my mime clothes, my white hat, white face, and a gold bow tie." (via)

I wonder if he hires out for parties. It's tough to find a good mime these days.
His only mistake is in calling that bow tie "little". I do, however, like the varying shades of tan and brown--such a festive color.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Once again with the bandanna fabric!

"my sister is in the middle and i am on the right...wearing outfits that our mother made by hand." (via)

Any outfit with a bonnet, as you all know, is my favorite! What I like about the bandanna outfit, which does not get its due here, is that it has the pimp cap to match.

Friday, January 15, 2010

My parents made me wear this-Germany

This young one forces us to remember that fashion tragedies transcend border divisions.

Here was one of twins, "Molly," in Germany, circa 1970s.
"I remember that blouse. My mom made them for us both. It was itchy." (via)

But that fabric is fly! And the collar! I feel like I am looking at David Cassidy, dressed for a Partridge Family concert. Can't you picture Susan Dey in this one?

Things weren't much better when Molly and her sister went to school.

"First day of school-Before Photo:
Note the fear and uncertainty written on our faces...the desperate hand-holding, the severe bangs. Note also: We are dressed identically by our mother in our little vests and skirts, so as to completely confuse and confound our new teacher."

But Mom wanted special photos to commemorate this day!

"First Day After Photo:
Mom has most certainly threatened us with bodily harm if we do not smile and look happy. Note the desperate hand-clutching remains." (via)

At the very least, they had each other to share their misery.

The next young one looks like she is in a stupor over the dress she has been forced to wear for her birthday party.

"My mom made ALL my clothes...until I was 12." (via)

That's right-12-years-old! And the shiny fabric looks so breathable, with itchy lace to accent every possible edge.

I am also LOVING the two girls in matching plaid and ruffles--again a possible Patridge Family outfit? Puke green and Yellow-two colors that look divine with almost any skin tone.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Matchy Matchy

Some families make torture an annual tradition. And look at what lovely photos result!


"So when I was a kid, every year we had to do these annual photo thingies for my mother. She would wake us up too early in the morning and made us into perfect little angels. I won't ever understand why she used to dress us up in the same dress in different sizes, as if we triplets or something...
Well I had my full if it that day, thank you very much...Nor did I want to wear the shinny new mary janes she bought for me, because, well, it hurt my feet..." (via)

Do you think this photo was framed and on the wall of their home? Do you think there was an entire wall, filled with year after year of these? Dresses matching each year in a visual cacophony of light and color, frowns and shiny shoes. It sounds almost wonderful and a part of me envies Mom.

This woman hopes she and her sister were not alone.

"I assume we're not the only sisters forced to wear awful matching dresses..." (via)

Oh no, not at all. For at least today, she can share the comfort of strangers also forced into fashion disasters.

I don't think the next family is Mennonite, but it is hard to tell.

"Our mom dressed us girls in matching outfits only once, thank god! There she is, peeking out the window in the background...looking mighty pleased with herself." (via)

And why shouldn't she be? To get your girls to wear not just the dresses, but the head scarves too? That's a family joke of epic proportions, fodder for years of laughter to come. Mom should be proud!


This Mom made these dresses. And check out the matching shoes! Doesn't baby girl look happy?? (via)

And there is more to this photo than is shown here. In later comments, baby girl says "...shot me in the foot with a bb gun when I was wearing those shoes. They had a permanent dark colored indentation in the toe area."

What was going on at their family parties? Of course, I too knew a bb gun victim--"Gabe"--who, as far as I know, still has the bb that went up his nose. Ouch!



"My grandmother made matching mother-daughter dresses for my mother and I. Here we are standing outside the entrance to my mother's dance studio. I think this is a *very* early 1970s sort of outfit and fabric." (via)

Does this then count as my parent's parent made me wear this? All in all, I'd say Mom looks quite spiffy in her cute dress and red shoes. Kind of a hot ticket, outside her dance studio.

In fact, a few of today's entries seem to share an appreciation for Mom.


"Mama and Me. Popular then, the matching dresses. Still and all, Mama was a classy lady." (via)

"Dad, me, and Mom.
Yes, my mom sewed us matching shirts! It was about 1974." (via)

I like that the shirts look like bandanna material. And that shiny materials is also so figure flattering!

I suspect that the bows in her hair were made out of that old-school ribbon I don't think exists anymore. It was thick, and puffy, and tended to fray when tied around your ponytails all day. Kind of like cotton balls stretched into twisted ribbon. I loved when I got packages tied with it because it meant hair adornment galore!

Have any matching outfits of your own? Send them along!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Is bad taste inherited?

Is bad fashion sense passed from one generation to another? I do think this is a question I will puzzle over periodically here. Do we learn from our parents' mistakes, or

This young one, who grew up to be a humor writer, seems to think so.

"I am hardly a slave to fashion, and blame my mother for starting the bad taste early in life. I guess I should thank you. After all, when your mother dresses you in red plaid pants, do you have any choice but a career in humor?" (via)

I confess that I had a jacket very similar to this, in pale blue. It may even have had matching pants, and I certainly accessorized with a plaid tam I had. I cannot, in any sense, blame my parents for the combination other than to say--they did purchase those items.

Monday, January 11, 2010

I hated this dress

Sometimes, that's really all we need to say. I hated this dress! (And it doesn't matter how cute everyone else might have thought you looked.)

"pretend you like each other...ooo I hated that dress." (via)

"I hated my dress." (via)

"I hated my dress." (via)

Okay, I've really got to agree with her about that one. Lace, ruffles, the hat--that's a lot of look.

"My sister and I used to hate wearing the same clothes as each other but my mother still made the same clothes for us anyway. I was exceptionally proud of wearing this though because I had two additional straps and my sister didn't. Back then, I felt that Ma used extra cloth to make my set so I felt that I've won." (via)

You showed her! Ha!
Of course, big sister did get the red shoes, so who really won here?

"...in March of '58, the school had a formal awards banquet and dance. Mama and I went to Wichita Falls to shop for a formal. It took us an entire exhausting Saturday on sidewalks from one shop to another, in and out of fitting rooms. There was a strictly limited amount of money available to spend, and Mama had strict ideas about what was appropriate to wear.
She wouldn't approve, or couldn't afford, any of the dresses I wanted. I wanted floor length. She demanded street length. I wanted strapless. That was out of the question for her. I wanted white, pink, or black. White showed stains too easily, she said; redheads just don't wear pink; black was 'too old for me.' She liked stiff, rustling organza, and I wanted soft satin or velvet, or at least crepe de chine.
Mama picked my dress over my objections and I hated it. The shoes were hand-me-downs from her boss' daughter who had gone away to college. The nylon stockings had seams in back, opaque reinforced toes that showed in my sandals (i watend seamless sheers, of course), and were held up by a white garter belt.
Mama even bought my corsage, from a florist who was one of her regular customers...Our landlady wanted to take a picture of me in my 'pretty dress' before I left for the dance. Or maybe she wanted to get a picture of her new color TV and her grandson's portrait. She didn't even get all of my dress in the shot." (via)

As far as I am concerned, all this woman had to say was "OPAQUE REINFORCED TOES THAT SHOWED IN MY SANDALS." A fashion crime against nature. Of course, I could argue that just the concept of the stockings with sandals at all is the real crime, but when you add the double offense of the reinforced toe, it simply not right.

The final dress-hater for today is also not a fan of pink.
"As a young girl, I was forced to wear pink. I had pink receiving blankets, pink hair accessories, pink ballet clothes, and pink dresses. Just by being a girl, everyone assumed I liked pink.
WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!
I HATE PINK!
I am in the back row of this photo looking miserable, bored, and humiliated. Calgon, take me away!" (via)

Strangely, she does not mention the ridiculous hair bow, which I find the larger issue-badumbum.
And is that a Raggedy Ann and Andy theme on the recital dresses? When I took ballet, I seem to remember a dance called the Rag Doll, but no costumes as spiffy as these.

Have a dress you hated? Send it along to myparentsmademewearthis at gmail dot com.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

I told you I wasn't kidding about the belts!

Yup. A belted swimsuit. I'm lovin' this bad boy.


As he says "I just let the belt buckle do all the talkin..." (via)

Friday, January 8, 2010

Big Daddy Pimpin'

I start today with the confession that I'm still reeling from yesterday's ascots. ASCOTS ON THE ENTIRE FAMILY!!
How can it get any better than that?

Alas, I must try.

Today, I focus on one poor soul.
Here's how "Tony" describes this outfit:
"My brother Andy and I, dressed like little Mafia hit-men on Easter Sunday, 1968. Not everyone dressed like a hippie in the spring of 1968.
We're standing in the dining room of our apartment...We're most likely dressed up to go to an Easter dinner at my grandmother's house.

It looks as if we're wearing tweed. If that's the case, my smile is forced because tweed itches. And I hate itchy clothes. We're wearing white shirts and bowties under our overcoats. I'm guessing, but I think that spending my childhood dressed like a miniature old man may have given me the devil-may-care attitude I have toward clothing today." (via)

Looks comfy for an egg hunt, doesn't it?

My husband says that the kid on the left reminds him of Biggie Smalls. But then, double-breasted always makes one look barrel-chested.

Alas, Tony's clothing nightmare didn't end there.

"Me. 1974. Age 10. All dressed up and no place to ho.
We didn't dress like hippies in 1968, but we sure dressed like pimps in 1974.
I don't know what strange force drove my family to choose to dress me in this Superfly getup. At age 10 one could and should start exercising some choice over one's own clothes. I can attest that that didn't happen in this case. I didn't know what knickers were before I was presented with this outfit, so it's highly unlikely I would have asked for them.

This ensemble was purchased at the Lord & Taylor's on Route 22...Don't hold it against them. Also, we really can't blame my parental units. I mean, this WAS hip in those days. How were they to know that the only 20th century clothes that would never go out of style were jeans and a t-shirt? Nowadays, any parents who dress their kids like this could be brought up on multiple child abuse charges. But in 1974, this was the way to be seen.

Also, burgundy?? Burgundy?? Ok, granted, burgundy was the color of the 70s, but jeez Louise!" (via)

He thinks pimp, but I think this boy looks perfectly appropriate, for a stage production of the classic feature film Newsies. Anything that requires the wearing of a matching cap is always a good thing.

A question: Was this really hip back in the day? I don't think so Tony. Let's be real here. And yes, you can blame your parental units, in extreme cases such as these.

And again with the belted outfit! Built-in belts. Always fashion forward.

The one thing I cannot tell is if the shirt underneath his vest has a zippered neck. I remember these zipper pulls--large, round, decorative hoops. Somehow, for me, this breaks the formality of the outfit. I see a ribbed turtleneck, or perhaps a button down, but a zipper neck?

Of course, you know what would top this outfit off nicely? That's right--a matching ascot.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

A Family that Ascots together

Make sure that you scroll ALLLLL the way down in this post because the end is absolutely NOT to be missed.

Today's first young woman asks the following question "I don't know whether or not I should be mad at my mom for this outfit." (via)


Yes, dear one, you should. Oh yes, you should.

"Clara"--titled this photo "Who are we and why are we wearing these awful clothes?"


She also says of her brother "He's laughing at my outfit!" (via) I'm kind of liking his stripy shirt, but I suspect big sister's dress was actually a nightgown. If not, oh my.

This is the kind of outfit I would have worn, if it were a nightgown, when my parents took me to the drive-in on a hot summer night. Since they knew I was destined to fall asleep in the back of the car, we'd stay for a double feature. The drive-in was where I saw Slapshot, which also meant it was the first time I saw a naked man's butt. (Remember when that guy takes his clothes off on the ice?) My parents thought I was asleep, but I remember peering through the front window, confused and bleary-eyed, but curious. The drive-in was also where I saw The Boob Tube and Kentucky Fried Movie, both classic feature films.

Today's finale leaves me speechless.


"This is a scanned photo of my father, my brother and I circa 1972 in our old apartment. My dad used to work in the Men's department of this large department store in Newark, NJ called Bamberger's, where he always brought home the latest 'hip' fashions of the day.
As you can see, both my father and brother are resplendent in their Herman and the Hermits finery, and I am doing what only be described as my best contemporary Austin Powers impersonation. I even took a school portrait in that get-up.
You have GOT to respect a kid in a silk, paisley-print ascot." (via)

I am completely in awe of this photo. I am loving this family and how serious these three look here. I am especially digging dad and I feel like he belongs in a film I wish someone had made. I also love how baby boy--and again, with the BELT--looks like he is sucking in his cheeks, looking mature to fit in with the older men in his life. I could try to be witty here, say more, but I feel like these guys really stand on their own, speak for themselves, make their own way in the world. Really, what could I say to top anything?

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

What is that on my head?

From time to time, it's important to remember that not all fashion montrosities are from times past. Alas, we make the same mistakes as our parents.

This mother admits what she is doing to her own children, all for sake of her own grandmother.

"Okay, so about the matching outfits...NOT my idea...my grandma bought them and my aunt brought them back from Hawaii...Figured I should take a picture of them in the outfits and send it to my grandma. Aren't I a good granddaughter? Of course I am." (via)

Here is my question: When do we say "stop the insanity?" Enough's enough! We must end the generational passing on of such atrocities! Of course, the little girl in this photo has her own thing goin' here with the slightly worn off tattoos my own son still loves. Gummy residue always looks good in formal photos.

The next photo looks like fun was had by all at this wedding!

"My Mum (in black)
My dad (the only man)
Me...The little girl with the ugly outfit and the breeds.
the bride...I don't remember her." (via)

I sincerely, almost desperately, hope that she meant braids.
I, too, wore culottes in my younger days. What I like here, is that the culottes have been matched with a variation on tube socks. And as we've seen many times, white socks and black shoes! Classy.

Mum looks pleased to be there, doesn't she? As if she is sucking on something sour, or trying not to comment on the fact that her husband's ex-girlfriend was a guest at the wedding and didn't he know she would be there so why did he drag her to this backyard in god knows where to spent their Saturday posing by someone's front door, damnit.

And the blushing bride seems pushed awkwardly into that bit of shrubbery. Happy though, don't you think?

I heartily agree with the poor girl in this next outfit.

"I'm speechless about this outfit. I've always cringed when I've looked at the photos from this party." (via)

I think it deserves a second look, in context.

Nope, still just as awful, even next to that ridiculous dress the obvious "birthday girl" is wearing.

Perhaps more appalling than the outfit is the fact that this birthday party was CLEARLY HELD AT BURGER KING! Remember those parties people? Yup, I went to one for my childhood friend Paul--secretly excited because I wasn't allowed to have that kind of food at my house.

The problem was--what the heck do you DO at Burger King for the length of a children's party? There was no play structure, no organized activities, no funny characters to entertain. Instead, we ran crazily around the place, making lunch miserable for other diners simply seeking a bit of peace for the midday luncheon.

I liked the fries and whatever bizarro sundae in a cup they served us. Other than that, I remember being bored. But I did love wearing a crown.

The next young lady did not feel similarly about the lovely item she wore on her head.

"My mom made this outfit and then made me pose in the ugly thing. What the hell is that on my head???" (via)

If she would merely look a few posts back, she would see that this was the ever-popular bonnet, beloved by makers of pajamas and by women who made their children's clothes. (I am digging her sandals, although her feet are virtually disappearing in the sea of green shag--always a nice touch with panelling in the rec room.)