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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)

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    #2

    Japan Female-warrior

    Japan Female-warrior

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    POST
    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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    POST
    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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    POST
    #26

    Unknown Tonkin Lady With Big Hat

    Unknown Tonkin Lady With Big Hat

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    POST
    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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    POST
    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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    POST
    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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    POST
    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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    POST
    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.

    #38

    Unknown Lady With Big Hat

    Unknown Lady With Big Hat

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    POST
    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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    POST
    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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    POST
    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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    POST
    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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    POST
    #56

    Vintage Erotica

    Vintage Erotica

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