Dressing For Passover Circa 1960s

 What To Wear To A Passover Seder

With Spring shortly approaching I am reminded of  shopping for Spring clothes as a child and pre-teen.  In my home, Spring also meant getting ready for Passover which included  lots of new  holiday  recipes but also new clothes to wear to the Seders (dinners). Some of my fondest memories were gathering for a mega Seder with the entire extended family crammed into my Aunt Dotty's small apartment in Brooklyn, New York.

Old Fashioned Seder: Seated By Rank

Table arrangements were by rank. The elders sat at the head of a very long chain of tables which spanned the living room and dining room.  Older kids may have made it to the far end of the main table or were delegated to the bedroom where another mini Seder was set up for the young ones. You marked the years until you would be promoted to the main table, an accomplishment indeed . Aunt Dotty had her trusted housekeeper who returned each year to help her manage this huge gathering. Guests  were  fussed over and the meal was DELICIOUS!


Remember Patent Lather Shoes With Flowers?

Getting ready to go to Aunt Dotty was a big deal. Mom had us dressed in a new skirt or dress, matching   clean tights,  patent leather shoes, a cute handbag and perhaps a bow or headband to wear. I particularly liked the shoes in the 1960s. If only you could buy shoes like that today.

Those were the days. In honor of Passover just around the corner, I feel like going shopping. After all, I need to set a good example to my children who truly believe that  flip flops can be dressy or casual depending on whether they have sequins or not. 

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists