“The Secret? It’s in the crotch.” Action Jeans (aka Kickin’ Jeans) were produced by Century Martial Arts from 1977 to 1991 and endorsed by Chuck Norris from 1981.
“What this generation needs is a formal education.”These ads for After Six formal menswear date from 1956 to 1979.
“Don’t blame your laundry for your shirts’ iniquities.”These fun and slightly bizarre ads for Arrow Shirts are from 1939-40.
“Fashion…a man’s world too.”These ads for Arrow Shirts date from 1956-57.
“The liveliest colours in cotton.”These fashion fabric ads for Avondale perma-pressed cottons date from 1958-59.
Bill The Hatter was (and still is) a mail order company founded in Chicago in 1949 dealing in men’s hats, shoes and clothing. The ads here are for their funky 1970’s men’s fashions.
“Bold new imported fashions for innovators only.” These ads for Blye International menswear date from 1968-73.
“Brings better fashion into focus.”These ads for Botany “Camera” men’s fashions date from 1955. They were thin, full height third-page ads featuring disembodied clothing, cameras for heads, and bright coloured backgrounds.
“Images Change”These C&A “Avanti” and “Clock House” mixed menswear and womenswear ads date from 1987. They all have a white background with little photos of the models posing around the letters in “Images Change”.
“Where value is always in fashion.”These C&A menswear ads date from 1983-84.
“Images Change”These C&A “Avanti” menswear ads date from 1985-86. They all feature a ripped-page graphic.
“Advantage Avanti”These C&A “Avanti” menswear ads date from 1988. They all feature white backgrounds with big black lettering.
“Advantage Avanti”These C&A “Avanti” menswear ads date from 1989. They all have an Ivy College theme.
Columbia Minerva knitting leaflets for men’s fashion. They date from 1968-75.
“You’ll stand out on any cool scene.” These ads for Diplomat Shops menswear are from 1973. You simply can’t go wrong with plaid elephant bell pants.
“The cool way to stay neat all day!”These ads for men’s trousers made from Du Pont “Dacron” polyester and “Orlon” acrylic fibre date from 1956-58. The ads featured a pair of men’s legs in the foreground and woman in the background.
“Comfort in action!”These ads for men’s fashions made from Du Pont “Dacron” polyester, “Orlon” acrylic fibre, and “Nylon” date from 1956-59. The ads feature men in various sporting and leisure scenarios.
“Extra Point: Orlon”These ads for men’s suits made from Du Pont “Orlon” acrylic fibre date from 1957. The ads all show men standing in front of a faint American Football scene.
“In fall slacks Orlon adds the future.”These ads for men’s suits and slacks made from Du Pont “Orlon” acrylic fibre date from 1958. The ads had little illustrations of spaceships, satellites, and other flying crafts at the bottom.
“So light, so neat!”These ads for men’s suits made from Du Pont “Orlon” acrylic fibre date from 1958. The ads featured a close up shot of a man’s jacketed torso on one side, with a full length shot in the distance on the other. The backgrounds were illustrations of fun outdoor activities.
“The age of Orlon.”These ads for men’s suits and slacks made from Du Pont “Orlon” acrylic fibre date from 1959. The ads had a space theme with plants, rockets and spacemen in the background.
“You can wash this coat!”These ads for jackets and coats treated with Du Pont “Zelan” water replant date from 1959. Each long half page ad featured models braving the outdoors.
“The luxury of Orlon.”These ads for men’s trousers made from Du Pont “Dacron” polyester and “Orlon” acrylic fibre date from 1960-61. The long half page ads featured a relaxed pair of men’s legs at various leisure venues.
“The Letterman look.”These ads for men’s fashions made from Du Pont “Dacron” polyester, and “Orlon” acrylic fibre date from 1960-61. The ads had a sports theme and the models used were mostly college age.
“The fun is in the wearing.”These ads for men’s fashions made from Du Pont “Dacron” polyester and “Orlon” acrylic fibre date from from 1960. The ads feature men in various sporting and leisure scenarios.
“New life, new lustre, new luxury.”These ads for men’s fashions made from Du Pont “Antron” nylon date from 1961. The ads were all shades of blue with a slightly misty focus.
“Things happen when you wear Eleganza!” These ads for mail order company Eleganza date from 1969-74.
“Rise On!” These ads for Flagg Bros menswear, shoes and accessories date from 1972-79.
These adverts for Galey & Lord are all from Sports Illustrated, with clothes aimed specifically towards that audience. The quarter-page, black and white illustrations were mainly created by artist Al Moore.
“Cool cats look better with Hi Styles!” These ads for Hi Styles date from 1972-74. Far out!
“Clothing to the Stars.” These two black and white illustrated ads for Hollywood Boulevard mens shirts are from 1975.
“Unmistakable international…unquestionably today’s fashions.”These ads for International Fashions date from 1970-75. They feature daringly dressed men with a lady hanging around admiringly.
“Sansabelt… the greatest thing that ever happened to men’s slacks!”These men’s trouser ads by Jaymar are from 1966-79.
“Young gentry sport shirts.” These spiffy menswear catalogue images are from a 1966 JC Penneys catalogue and feature an array of mildly amused men sporting knitted cardigans, pullovers and shirts.
One up in style.
These adverts are from 1971-72 and feature some fantastic text (as well as some fantastic trousers). All the chaps sit defiantly with one leg draped over the arm of their large ornate throne-like chairs, showing of their modern breeches and manhood at the same time.
This set of Lee publicity shots from 1971 featured manly poses whilst wearing a lion’s head. Just a little bit bizarre.
Between 1974-79 Lee produced a series of adverts with simple bright coloured backdrops to show off their new clothing, and was topped off with some splendid text. The later ads included the “Lee Fits America” slogan.
“Peppier than pepperoni and getting hotter every season!”These ads for men’s Italian clothing line Leonardo Strassi date from 1964-69.
“Caresses like cashmere… washes like magic!”These illustrated ads for men’s sportswear by Marboro Shirt Co. date from 1955-56.
“Sports shirts with a flair for style!”These illustrated ads for men’s sportswear by Marboro Shirt Co. date from 1955. The ads were a mixture of chalk figures and painted shirts.
“Body-clinging knits stress masculinity with lean, sexy look.” Ebony magazine’s September 1970 fashion shoot for men, taken in New York Central Park, was based around “machismo”. And striped trousers.
“Movin’ Together” Ebony magazine’s April 1971 fashion shoot for men was based around a “what’s his and hers” theme, with the women wearing her man’s clothes.
“Furs, plaids and bold colours spice men’s fashions for fall ’72.” Ebony magazine’s September 1972 fashion shoot for men was based around layering different colours, patterns and fabrics. And plaid. Lots of plaid.
“If you’ve got it, flaunt it – elegantly!” Ebony magazine’s April 1973 fashion shoot for men was all about colourful leisure looks with comfort, class, plaid and pinstripes. The photoshoot took the “tremendous trio” to the Caribbean island of Curacao where they lounged about on bridges, rock pools and against craggy walls.
The Fine Art of Italian KnitsThese three ads for Michelangelo knitwear date from 1969 to 1970 and feature America Baseball player Walt Frazier.
This series of adverts for Sears “The-Men’s-Store”, dating from 1968-69, were photographed in the New York Playboy Club.
“You don’t have to be big on comfort to be big on The-Comfort-Shirt!” These adverts for Sears Men’s Store “The-Comfort-Shirt” date from 1970-72.
“They’ve got all the moves.” These adverts for Sears Men’s Store “Give-n’-Slacks” date from 1970-72.
“Fresh, fashionable, very wearable.” These ads for Sears “The Men’s Store” were part of their Menswear Report campaign. They all date from 1976.
“Fashions For Men” These adverts for US mail order company Sedbury date from 1970-73. Bell bottom pants, open-front vests, wide lapels, cape shoulders, and all in a choice of scene stealing colours! Order mine in avocado.
These small black and white ads for Smith House Of Leather date from 1972-76 and feature some slightly awkward models.
“Your Saturday Night 3pc special makes you the big gun.”These small black and white ads for Swank date from 1972-74 and feature some splendidly named men’s suits, descriptions and poses.
“Way up on top in everything but price!” These illustrated ads for TruVal men’s shirts date from 1947-48. They all featured the bespectacled fox from the logo in various poses.
“The girls who married twin brothers.” These ads for TruVal men’s shirts are all from 1947. They featured three different sets of twins.
