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Globalization hasn't only changed the way we do business: it's had an impact on what we consider to be beautiful, too. Just as many lament the McDonalds and Starbucks on every corner, where once there might have been a local restaurant, so too has what people wear become homogenized in our Global Village. Love Levi's? Buy them practically anywhere. Want a pair of New Balance shoes in Eastern Europe? There's a specialty shop for that.

Before mass communication, and television in particular, there used to be quite a difference in what we thought was attractive, as this list of postcards from 1900-1910, collected by user PostMan on flickr, shows. Which photo is the most surprising? Vote on the photos below, or if you have any vintage shots of ladies' fashion, post them!

More info: Flickr (h/t: designyoutrust)

#2

Japan Female-warrior

Japan Female-warrior

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ChristopherBurroughs
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This picture is Not of a man: "[...] Recent research indicates that Japanese women participated in battles quite a lot more often than history books admit. When remains from the site of the Battle of Senbon Matsubaru in 1580 were DNA-tested, 35 out of 105 bodies were female. Research on other sites has yielded similar results." http://listverse.com/2013/08/06/10-fascinating-facts-about-the-samurai/

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#4

Anna May Wong Was The First Chinese American Movie Star, And The First Asian American Actress To Gain International Recognition

Anna May Wong Was The First Chinese American Movie Star, And The First Asian American Actress To Gain International Recognition

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POST
HeatherOgden
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my grandma was named after her :) but I never saw her picture till this she is so beautiful

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#5

Young Algerian Girls

Young Algerian Girls

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#6

Lily Elsie, English Actress And Singer

Lily Elsie, English Actress And Singer

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#8

Anna Pavlovna Was A Russian Prima Ballerina

Anna Pavlovna Was A Russian Prima Ballerina

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#12

Unknown Young Lady In Traditional Dress

Unknown Young Lady In Traditional Dress

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#15

Agnes Ayres Was An American Actress Who Rose To Fame During The Silent Film Era

Agnes Ayres Was An American Actress Who Rose To Fame During The Silent Film Era

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#17

Unknown Japanese Woman With Umbrella

Unknown Japanese Woman With Umbrella

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#18

Gabrielle Ray Was An English Stage Actress, Dancer And Singer

Gabrielle Ray Was An English Stage Actress, Dancer And Singer

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#19

Unknown Lady With Book

Unknown Lady With Book

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POST
ValentinaSiimer
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They sure did like to read, didn't they? And I mean, that's what I usually do when I get my hands on a good book - I put on my heels, find a really uncomfortable position and show my underwear.

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#20

Louise Derval

Louise Derval

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ClaudiaGoyzueta
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don´t know what´s more shocking... the tiny little waist or the dead bird on the hat!

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#21

Sisters From The Philippines In The 20's.

Sisters From The Philippines In The 20's.

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#22

Unknown Japanese Lady With Long Hair

Unknown Japanese Lady With Long Hair

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#23

Carolina “la Belle” Otéro Was A Spanish-born Dancer, Actress And Courtesan

Carolina “la Belle” Otéro Was A Spanish-born Dancer, Actress And Courtesan

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#24

Young Vietnamese Woman With Sword

Young Vietnamese Woman With Sword

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POST
PhilipAtkins
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bare footed and armed, she looks powerful and capable. A functional and real beauty

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#25

Miss Valli Valli

Miss Valli Valli

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#26

Unknown Tonkin Lady With Big Hat

Unknown Tonkin Lady With Big Hat

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JerieRagsac
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Big hat"? isn't that kind of underestimating her hat? try GIGANTIC

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#28

Unknown Lady With Long Hair

Unknown Lady With Long Hair

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Valerie Drake
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It has to be her hair, my hair looks like that when it's air dryed , kind of hard to tame.

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#32

Unknown Japanese Woman With Umbrella

Unknown Japanese Woman With Umbrella

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MáriaDusová
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I imagine what colour was that kimono because even on this picture it looks amazing

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#34

Beduinin

Beduinin

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Jude
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks young and rather unhappy. I wonder if she wasn't thrilled about posing like that but she and maybe her family too might've needed the money.

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#37

Unknown Lady, Vintage Erotica

Unknown Lady, Vintage Erotica

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Laverne Swanson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bet my grandma flirted with my grandpa like that. She was born in 1896. Died at 103.

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#38

Unknown Lady With Big Hat

Unknown Lady With Big Hat

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YikaRiley-Smith
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From her look I'm betting that wasn't the first photo attempt balancing that hat--the dress is so beautiful it just detracts from it.

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#39

Margaretha Geertruida Macleod Better Known By The Stage Name Mata Hari

Margaretha Geertruida Macleod Better Known By The Stage Name Mata Hari

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#40

Vesta Tilley Was A Star Of The English Music Hall Circuit For More Than Four Decades

Vesta Tilley Was A Star Of The English Music Hall Circuit For More Than Four Decades

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#41

Unknown Lady With Flowers

Unknown Lady With Flowers

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Angel Reeves
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like she is cross-eyed that's why. Her right eye is angled wrong.

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#42

Two Unknown Young Ladies

Two Unknown Young Ladies

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Jude
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at their elbow length gloves! I guess a proper lady wore gloves in public then.

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#43

Unknown Lady With Cigarette

Unknown Lady With Cigarette

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#45

Unknown Lady In Nice Dress

Unknown Lady In Nice Dress

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YikaRiley-Smith
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Couldn't help but wonder how many animals went into making up that entire outfit.

#46

Unknown Lady With Big Hat And Umbrella

Unknown Lady With Big Hat And Umbrella

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Jude
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not an umbrella, maybe a crop instead? Wonder if those were considered riding pants then for serious horse women?

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#47

Matilda Alice Powles, An English Music Hall Performer

Matilda Alice Powles, An English Music Hall Performer

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#48

French Show Girl Backstage

French Show Girl Backstage

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#49

Russian Opera Singer Makarova

Russian Opera Singer Makarova

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#53

Georgette Delmare

Georgette Delmare

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#54

Tamil Girl From Ceylon

Tamil Girl From Ceylon

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#56

Vintage Erotica

Vintage Erotica

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