Thelma and Lowell's Diary: April 21, 1943

She buys a pair of slacks; lots of other women were buying them too

Thelma headed out early today to buy a pair of slacks, for which she paid a considerable sum: $4.12, or about $72 in current money. She probably wanted them for the fishing excursion after dinner with Lowell and their friends Vangy and Joe. “We went out to the lake and several places, caught 5 croakers, 2 catfish & lot of crabs,” she wrote. “Sure had fun — a little chilly out.”

The idea that a woman would show the outline of her legs in trousers would have horrified earlier generations, but the acceptance of women’s slacks had happened rapidly in Thelma’s time. Read about this sea change in fashion and how the war contributed to it, but only if you are a paid subscriber. It costs just 16 cents to upgrade and join the fun!