AA-2026-720846
On the image
The quintessential summer uniform of the 1970s is displayed here by a young girl: a wide-brimmed straw hat adorned with simple flowers, oversized green-tinted sunglasses, and a pair of deep blue shorts. This ensemble, designed for maximum sun protection and perceived cool, was an essential component of any casual outdoor activity, particularly one involving a camera.
She holds a glass, likely containing some brightly coloured, sugary liquid — a beverage considered perfectly acceptable and refreshing for children of the era. Her confident stance, coupled with a slight smile behind the lenses, suggests she believes she is presenting a peak form of 1970s backyard chic, a look perfected through careful observation of television commercials.
The entire scene exudes the unpretentious vibe of a summer afternoon when posing for a snapshot was a minor event requiring minimal effort but maximum photographic self-assurance. The background, with its chain-link fence and untamed foliage, confirms this is not a staged studio production, but rather an authentic moment of a bygone decade's casual domesticity.
The historian's note
This image captures a candid portrait of a young girl in an informal outdoor setting, likely a residential backyard, during the 1970s. Her attire, characterised by a wide-brimmed hat, large sunglasses, and shorts, reflects typical casual fashion trends for youth of that period.
The photograph serves as a documentary record of everyday life and personal style within a North American context during the mid-20th century. It illustrates common leisure activities and the domestic environment of the era.
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Girl in Sun Hat and Shades, 1970s Backyard. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-720846. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/girl-in-sun-hat-and-shades-1970s-backyard.
@misc{aaAA2026720846,
title = {Girl in Sun Hat and Shades, 1970s Backyard},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-720846},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/girl-in-sun-hat-and-shades-1970s-backyard}
}TY - ART TI - Girl in Sun Hat and Shades, 1970s Backyard PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-720846 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/girl-in-sun-hat-and-shades-1970s-backyard ER -
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