For Everything an Exception

So. . . As anyone that does historical research knows, you'll think you know exactly how it is, only to find that you don't. I recently saw a photograph shared that made me "D'oh!" at my previous posts, therefore I had to share it.

Of course it's about shoes. . .

Scantily-clad member of the Windmill cast, Sonia Stacpoole, makes her way along a narrow corridor to the theatre air raid shelter clutching a tin-hat and a pillow... 21st January 1941
LOOK AT THOSE WIDE PEEP-TOE SHOES

Now I will say, I mentioned a modest toe was more in fashion because it revealed less of the foot and was therefore less scandalous. . . . this young woman is obviously not overly concerned with being scandalous. But I did want to correct my seemingly "no wide peep-toes" commentary about
shoes and bring up the point that for everything you will find an exception. . . it doesn't mean that it was the norm, but rarely is there an "all or nothing" hard-and-fast rule about things sometimes when it comes to a lot of historical research. As with anything it is about context and what is appropriate for an impression.

Also, I thought it would be a good time to point out a very useful tool when you start researching.

The Devil is in the Details

There are so many things you can glean from an original photograph, so long as you make sure to pay attention to not just the overall image, but all the little parts of it that give you clues about how people lived. Hairstyles, shoes, accessories, types of cosmetics used. . . even things like undergarments and the way people dressed for certain occasions can be found if you're looking at images with that in mind. Put on your deerstalker, and do a bit of sleuthing; think of yourself as the Sherlock of historical research, and you may surprise yourself with what all you can learn. ;)