Alas Quote by M. E. W. Sherwood
“In the early forties and fifties almost everybody "had about enough to live on," and young ladies dressed well on a hundred dollars a year. The daughters of the richest man in Boston were dressed with scrupulous plainness, and the wife and mother owned one brocade, which did service for several years. Display was considered vulgar. Now, alas! only Queen Victoria dares to go shabby.”
About This Quote
Source Historical essay: Social customs in early 20th‑century America, 1940s‑1950s
The passage contrasts modest living standards of most people with the restrained dress of the wealthy, noting that conspicuous display was frowned upon and only royalty seemed to defy that norm now
In simple terms: People then lived modestly; even the rich dressed simply, avoiding flashy display
Key Takeaway
Modesty was valued over ostentation
Themes
modesty
class
fashion
social norms
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
observational
historical
When to use this quote
- studying period clothing
- writing historical fiction
- analyzing class dynamics
- teaching social history
Key Concepts
historical context
economic conditions
cultural expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How does contemporary fashion reflect class attitudes?
- What drives the shift from modesty to conspicuous consumption?
A Different Perspective
Modern consumer culture often celebrates excess, challenging the old restraint
