In honor of Throw-Back Thursday -- I have found some real treasures looking through the old magazines I bought at a library sale. There was an envelope of clippings that the lady had saved, unfortunately undated but look like 1950s and early 1960s. What I'm finding charming are not only the craft ideas for Christmas, but also on the back of the clippings are parts of advertisements. Here are some fun ones:
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For a man's vest: Knitted Vest by Highland - The Gift that has Warmth
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For children's clothes: Christmas Twins -- They're all lit up like a Christmas Tree ... the youngsters' beloved "Frosty" and "Rudolph" ... in bright and snappy colors on their favorite Norwhich Sweatshirts
* A He-Man's Gift! Bachelors Friend GUARANTEED Twisted NYLON SOX -- 3 months wear or 3 new pairs FREE -- No More Darning!
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For boots that you slip on over shoes: New! the Rainboot with "Clear-Mold" Styling! perfect for rain, sleet or snow! Rain Dears (by Lucky)
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For a bra: Exciting new development in reform circles ... people are raving about the new Jantzen "plus-bra" ... designed to put your bustline in line with your hipline, which is where it belongs ... if you want to wear clothes smartly. Jantzen makes it with famous Jantzen "forever uplift" technique and patented foam rubber compensators that look perfectly natural, feel perfectly wonderful, hold their shape and shaping power through wearing and water. Have it in new absorbent, silky-feeling nylonized nylon taffeta 3.95 ... at fine stores
Those were on the back of a 3-page article about how to make and decorate felt Christmas stockings. Isn't the terminology fun? "Snappy colors" and "wear clothes smartly."
On the back of a page about DIY Christmas decorations:
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Advertisement: New cheer in prune juice! Cheer up! Not all prune juices are boiled, sugared, or vary in prune-solids content. Del Monte is one brand of prune juice that's both completely natural and completely uniform. That's why it has such naturally likeable flavor and naturally laxative strength. Try it. Nature's brand of prune juice ... Del Monte ... Never boiled, no sugar added.
[Do today's ad writers expect us to be cheerful about prune juice?
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Article: "The Correct Thing" by Elinor Ames ... Here are more suggestions for improving your manners.
- The shopper who does not give her herself sufficient time, who fidgets, interrupts sales clerks, or tries to get served without waiting her turn is inconsiderate of the rights of others and one of the trials of Christmas shopping.
- It is courteous to say "good morning" or "goodnight" to a co-worker when you pass or who obviously sees you.
[The picture shows a woman going to an office job wearing a suit, hat, and white gloves. There's a clue for how old this clipping is.]
Another thing that strikes me about these ads and the article above is the language and grammar. They appear to expect the customers to be better educated in reading comprehension.
I found an article torn from a newspaper about how to make a table centerpiece from dried twigs dipped in cooked starch and sprinkled with flaked mica to look like ice-covered branches. I am just as interested in the partial ad on the back that shows illustrations for sewing patterns for a pencil skirt, a shirtdress with a very pretty neckline, and an embroidered apron to wear over a full skirt.
I wish I could buy those patterns today because they would make me look "smartly dressed."
Have you seen any modern ads that make you smile?