Sections

5.1.16

The Look, 1890

Vineyard Gazette Archives

Even for the late nineteenth century, William and Rebecca Manter’s style was lagging behind the times. (Or, in the case of his Brooklyn-hipster suspenders and stripes, perhaps, ahead of the times.) In this photo taken at Manter’s Mill, a grist mill and store near the brickyard in Chilmark, Mrs. M doesn’t look too thrilled with her bishop sleeves. But maybe she was just tired of prioritizing function over fashion. This was the Belle Époque, after all – and by the looks of it, only the littlest one had caught wind of overseas tails, tuxedos, and pearls. His ruffles and knee-high boots look far too nice for a day’s labor at the mill.