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The Way We Were… A Blast From the Past!
Hi!
Today’s post is not really quilting-related at all, but more of a look back in time… A time when good wives stayed home and knitted, and took care of their husbands and children…
I recently came across a knitting pattern for a little girls’ cardigan, from the Australian Women’s Weekly magazine, dated July 1st, 1950. For those who aren’t aware of this Aussie Icon, the Women’s Weekly magazine has been one of the most popular magazines in Australia, since it debuted in 1933.
And whilst this is a sweet photo from 75 years ago (!), I just couldn’t go past the assortment of ads in the few pages I have of this popular women’s magazine, so today I’m sharing some of them with you, for no reason other than I appreciated some of the history, found some funny, and was mildly horrified at others…
Let’s start with something tame. A lovely ad for pure Irish linen and Nottingham lace chair back covers; or the simple one for Jiffy Dyes, to help with faded fabrics.
This ad I thought was great. Wasn’t it lovely of Jack to come to Joan’s rescue, and ‘buck her up’ so she could get back to work and finish knitting his pullover?
And what about some fashion? Wouldn’t you love a ‘Jaunty Jigger’ to wear over your ‘latest vogue’ pencil skirt? I just checked with my tape measure though, and waist sizes are scarily tiny… obviously you’d need to find a good strong girdle to help achieve that shape.
Or maybe not…
Rallie Health Appliances had an advert for the Rallie Health Belt, which claims it “gently massages your abdomen, exercising muscles and dispersing fat.” Ladies – Here’s the key to that slender figure!! (I am not thrilled about the ‘shapeless figure and familiar ills of the over-forties’ though!)
In only 6 pages of this magazine, there were two hair care ads too. This glorious sounding shampoo, that apparently has nine ladies in each bottle to help ‘polish each hair to shining smoothness’. Did you notice the small print that there are at least 3 shampoos in each bottle???
And then there’s this ad for Hiltone. I don’t want to get too carried away, but I do NOT love the premise that men love blondes and therefore we should all be blonde, so men can ‘look twice’. There’s nothing natural about this product, and my inner feminist is upset with this one.
And here’s where it gets even more uncomfortable. The actual ad for this Nivea creme is OK, but honestly, I could do without the pervy man up the top.
On a positive note, there were a couple of good tips with the knitting pattern, and I do think it’s always really interesting to see how things used to be.
I do love how things have changed since then too though. The Australian Women’s Weekly is still popular, but they have moved with the times too. December 2023 featured Helen Mirren and the joy of ageing disgracefully, and last year’s Christmas issue featured a very accomplished career Chef. These modern issues have embraced different cultures and women from all walks of life, and that can only be a good thing.
What do you think they’ll be saying about the ads in these issues in another 75 years?
Back to quilting next week, but I hope you enjoyed this short trip down memory lane…
