Monochrome memories from way back, when all my dresses were shapeless plaid shirtwaists,
Three for ten dollars from the Sears and Roebuck catalog. I was a thrifty kid, poring over the
Thrift section searching for the best buys so Mom didn’t have to. My brothers could own
Five striped cotton crewneck t-shirts for a bundled price, as well. I circled the best deals in
Crayon, then waited for the order to arrive, always hoping that at least one of my new
Dresses would surprise me by featuring a full skirt and a crinkly petticoat like Debbie Reynolds
Wore. Disappointment never interfered with my attempts to twirl in a simple cotton dress.

I loved shirtwaists
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I need to find one that will fit me and give them another try. My problem is that I’m 5’8 and long waisted, so the waistline on the dress hits me just under the armpits. 😳
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That’s sort of an Empire line shirtwaist, Nan!
I miss the catalogues of yesteryear, they provided hours of wishing and planning, none of which came to fruition.
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I miss them, too. But they cost the companies so much.
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Ah 🙂 One of these, perhaps: https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=911&bih=441&q=tent+dress&oq=Tent+d&gs_l=img.1.1.0l10.5598.9143.0.13635.6.6.0.0.0.0.101.509.5j1.6.0….0…1ac.1.64.img..0.6.507.3ymfTiJ9m_4
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Haha! I owned a tent dress. Comfortably shapeless. I love the one that was an actual tent. Camouflaged even. You made my day.
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Mine were all smock style – my mom made them for me with whatever cotton she could buy for cheap, end of bolts, etc. Needless to say, I had some gawdawful colours!! But I ran around and climbed trees and explored in them!
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I envied the girls with smocked dresses!
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I loved them. The shirtwaist dresses never fit me, even as a child. I’m long waisted as well.
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I would so love a shirtwaist with a full skirt.
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Get someone to make one for you, to your measurements.
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I’ve looked into doing that. It’s a pricey enterprise, but i might do it one day
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