DC was segregated. My father was born in 1931 and lived in N.E. He said they couldn't go shopping or to movies downtown because most stores and theaters were for whites only. Obviously this wasn't one of them.

I'm gonna need to get my specs out to read the fine print for the "Terms of the Sale".

Oh, I see now - CASH!

Why does everything in commerce have to be so complicated??

You're both wrong! She was adjusting her Bluetooth headset.

The tall woman in the middle by the clothes rack, isn't she on her cell ?

[Probably not. - Dave]

Exactly. Listening to her transistor radio, obviously.

The tall woman in the middle by the clothes rack, isn't she on her cell ?

[Probably not. - Dave]

That $5.89 sweater would be $63.49 in 2008. Check this site: http://minneapolisfed.org/research/data/us/calc/

Just what I was picturing. Thanks, tterrace!

So this scene from "Fluttering Hearts," a 1927 silent Hal Roach comedy starring Charley Chase (center right in cap and knickers) isn't too far off the mark:

This department store's sale prices are comparable to the everyday prices from the Sears Roebuck catalog. For instance, Sears's georgette blouses ranged from about $5 to about $11.

What strikes me at interesting is that there are black people in this D.C. shop. I realize that by the 20's the Reconstruction was well underway and out of the way, and D.C. was never segregated, but this is striking - so many of the pictures of African Americans at this time are poor or on plantations, not shopping, and these dames aren't dressed like shopgirls! But I believe I even see a "colored" man in the crush on the right.

This reminds me of those old cartoons with ladies at a sale fighting over a piece of clothing. I can picture two women grabbing the same sweater and coming to blows...or ripping it in half. If anyone wonders why I am that rare woman who hates shopping, all they have to do is look at this photo. Scary!!

I like the black lady at the left. More specifically, her jaunty hat and happy expression. Can we get a close-up?

[Ta-da. - Dave]

Washington Post, Jun 6, 1920: advertisement

J.E. Cunningham & Co.

Mammoth Cloak and Suit House, 316 Seventh St.

All Washington Has Been Amazed by This Stupendous Selling Event

Involving a $350,000 stock of wearables that go in this great sale - the crowds literally swamped this tremendously successful bargain event, from the moment the doors opened last Thursday morning, June 3rd at 10:30 o'clock, on this great sale to participate in the greatest of all bargain feasts, wonderful matchless, and highest grade women's and misses' wear in the capital city, at prices that startled the entire country. Every available space in this big specialty store; all tables, racks, show cases, overflowing with real bargains. Meanwhile, make your plans - be here bright and early when the doors open at 9:30 o'clock - rain or shine.

Positively the most startling and astounding dress sale ever known.

[Click to enlarge.]

I can make out the $3.95 sweaters but what I was referring to was the rack in the center of the photo. I am fairly certain it says $5.99 or $5.89. Aren't there people on here with enough time (and wisdom) to calculate just how expensive that sweater would be today?

[Aha. Petticoats, $5.89. - Dave]

...by my count (your mileage may vary).

And I think its "Sweaters" that are $3.95 in the bottom-right corner of this claustrophobia-inducing photo!

But I am terribly surprised these shoppers stopped long enough to stare at the camera - of course not all of them - some were too busy on their way to the suit coats on the 2nd floor!

Was $5.99 (I think I'm reading that right) really such a good deal back then? I can't quite read what that is the price of though...