Kitchen Retro

A little something kitsch and retro, every day!

Some Questionable Advice

Posted by Lidian on June 21, 2008

Woman's Weekly Woolworth ad 1971

“Realise that there’s more than the sun to catch on holiday.” Oh yes, that’s true enough. But perhaps you might not want to be catching it. In which case, tell the Two Wild and Crazy Guys in the shades to get lost! There’s no telling what you might catch, hanging around with them.

The fact that one of them is wearing a turtleneck at a swimming pool should be reason enough to be wary. Not that you need more reasons. But then, you girls are wearing what appears to be badly-sewn sacks made out of old kitchen curtains.

They are clothes that will get you noticed, all right. But look at what they’re attracting! Now we are back to the problems referred to in the first paragraph.

The girl on the right is modelling the Trendy Mennonite look, brand new for 1971. That’s a lot of leg for a Mennonite to show! Plus she is drinking. Mind you, if I was there I would also need a drink.

Are these people even “abroad”?  Perhaps they went on a tour of Suburban Backyards of America. They thought they were going to the Greek Islands. Next time, make sure you get a real travel agent. I think they not only relied on Woolworth’s (Woolworth’s!!) for their fashion needs, but booked the holiday there as well.

11 Responses to “Some Questionable Advice”

  1. Bill said

    Gosh, thanks, but I’ll just stay at work.
    I’ll bet there’s a transistor radio just off camera whining out the Beach Boys…“two girls for every boy…”

    There are so many things wrong with this ad, I wouldn’t know where to begin (or end). Stick a fork in me; I’m done.

  2. Amy said

    ooh yeah, I think they color co-ordinated their flowery dresses to fit in with the summer garden, maybe they’re trying to camouflage?

  3. Found your blog after you found mine a couple of weeks ago. I am remiss for not coming here sooner, but I’ve been swamped with work. I’m a writer and the last thing I want to do when I come home after eight laborious hours in front of a sweltering computer is read blogs. This weekend, I decided to change all that and I’m glad I did.

    I too have an appreciation for all things retro. Right now, I’m stuck in the early 70’s. That was a glorious time for me personally, emotionally. In the fall of 1971, I was 12 and in the seventh grade. I was cute, thin…a cheerleader..popular and in love with the cutest 13 year old on the planet. Oddly enough, it was the last time I can remember being truly happy.

    I wrote about it in a post last October. Thought I’d share it with you. Take care and don’t be a stranger. I enjoyed your blog, by the way and will be back myself.

    Best,
    Laurie Kendrick
    Houston

    http://lauriekendrick.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/memories-and-mayhem/

  4. emjoi said

    So the guy sitting down appears to be a robot, and the guy standing up, well, he is downright scary. Some 50 year old creepy guy who has slicked himself up with hair dye and the finest styles Woolies have to offer. What woman can resist him?

    And yes, Amish headgear and a miniskirt is just wrong. Blasphemous.

  5. rue said

    The men in this ad are extremely frightening! yikes!! The girl in front looks like she’s waiting to run away from them LOL

    hugs,
    rue

  6. Kathryn said

    Hello?! Obviously these girls aren’t the sharpest tools in the drawer. Of course you are going to catch something other than a few rays if you hang with guys like that! And let’s face it, if you were wearing a dress with a head covering like that, you, too, would need a drink. Or perhaps it’s because of the drink(s), that she is wearing those clothes?

    As always, Laura, a great post.

  7. Karla said

    They just remind me of feed sack dresses! Seriously. “Let’s see if we can’t get a charming little frock out of one feed sack. Oh, look, we have 2 feed sacks from the same fabric! Well, this dress can have sleeves, then.”

  8. Patty said

    The Trendy Mennonite look? Oh my god, I cannot stop laughing at that.

  9. Liz said

    I just can’t believe no one, er, caught the double entendre!

  10. I actually like some of these dresses…OK, the one in front could be taken in a bit on the waist, but the one on the woman sitting in the back with the hat on is cute.

    And I wish dresses today cost the equivalent of $3!

  11. Lidian said

    You guys seriously are the best, THE BEST, commenters ever. I always look forward to what you have to say – and you make the posts so much better, too! :)

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