Retro Musings includes magazine adverts and catalogue scans from 1930's to 1990's, plus anything else which takes my fancy (like LP covers and knitting patterns).
Go to Brands & Products to see a list of all the items I have added so far, or view by category or decade via the menus above and below.
Giant Glow-Up Costume KitsThese crazy Halloween costumes were produced in 1979/1980 by Spearhead Industries.
“Kids! This Halloween you can be the creatures you really are!” PAAS Halloween make-up kits were produced from 1984, and there were six different sets made at first.
“This Halloween don’t be just another face in the crowd.” These makeup kits were aimed at adults and came with glitter and metallic colours. They were produced by Plough in 1985 and 1987.
With Halloween just a few days away, I thought it would be fun to look up some 1980’s & 1990’s TV, toy and movie based fancy dress sewing patterns. They range from fun to the down right bizarre!
Ahh, Halloween. That time of year when you dig out the old flame retardant vinyl costumes and creepy, creepy face masks of your favourite childhood toys…
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.
In the early 1940’s, Munsingwear produced a selection of adverts featuring sports and work related activities. They remind me of paper dolls, but with more bending over (as you would expect from Munsingwear).
“No more poodle-tight perms, monstrous commitments or not-so-funny between-perm droops.” I love this set of adverts for Toni’s “Epic-Waves” try-on perms from 1989, featuring porcelain clown, poodle and Bride of Frankenstein faces, and big 80’s hair!
Check out these groovy 1960’s white-framed shades. Sunglasses just too small? How about a welders shield attached to a headband?
I came across this fearful 1970’s styling head recently. I love the packaging with the housewife-to-hooker before and after effect. Produced by Amsco (Milton Bradley) in 1971, it was just one of the many merchandising products released for the US TV show “Family Affair” in which Buffy was one of the characters.
“Your fist becomes a real face.” I came across this little game yesterday. Produced by Remco in 1966, the box consisted of very little: four plastic nose-eye combos, a bit of fur, an old rag and a pen – “for hours of play and fun”. Well, it’s better than a punch in the face, I guess.
“The Kleenex Boutique Collection is in… and bathroom tissue has gone glorious. Gone honest-to-Kleenex soft!” Kleenex Boutique was produced from the late 1960’s to the early 1980’s. Bold colours and crazy paisley toilet paper and tissues, perfect to colour co-ordinate with your furry toilet seat cover!
In 1957-59, Soft-Weve (by Scott) produced some beautiful fairytale style adverts for their toilet tissue. Featuring glamorous ladies wearing dresses specially designed to match the colourful toilet rolls they so decorously caress, it is easy to forget just what is being advertised!
“This is the story of Tron. You can read along with me in your book. You will know it is time to turn the page when you hear the computer sound like this…”
“Loveable. Collectable. That’s Avon’s Small World!” Christmas of 1970, Avon began to produce an adorable line of cosmetics and bath items for girls called “Small World”. It was based on Disney’s “It’s A Small World” ride, with characters designed by Mary Blair.
Welcome madam, sir! Looking for some dubiously unhygienic fur coverings for your bathroom furniture? Well, step back into the 1970’s, you’ve come to the right place!
I stumbled across this delightful selection of boardgames in the 1976 Argos catalogue, which I was browsing (as you do). I was immediately captivated by Brucie’s little smiling face and had to learn more!
This set of Lee publicity shots from 1971 featured manly poses whilst wearing a lion’s head. Just a little bit bizarre.
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.
Here is a collection of children’s character watches and clocks shown in various US Christmas catalogues from 1980-89 (found on Wishbook). I love the over-sized Strawberry Shortcake wall wrist watch clock!
Here is a collection of children’s character clothing shown in various US Christmas catalogues from 1980-89 (found on Wishbook). The clothing was mainly t-shirts and sweater/sweat pant sets. I love the poses the kids are pulling in some of these images!
“Recycle old pantyhose into dolls, wall hangings, musical boxes, holiday decorations, and much more!” The Great Pantyhose Crafts Book by Ed & Stevie Baldwin was published in 1982, followed by it’s eagerly awaited sequel, More Great Pantyhose Crafts, in 1985.
Following on from my post about character bedding, I decided to look into character sleeping bags and tents. These images are from various US Christmas catalogues dating from 1974-92.
Following on from my post about 1980’s character nightwear, I decided to look into character bedding. These images are from various US Christmas catalogues dating from 1974-86.
I fancied collating the character nightwear from the 1980’s Sears, Montgomery Ward and JCPenney Christmas catalogues over at Wishbook, and this is the result!
This is a starter guide to dating Ladybird books from the 1960’s and 1970’s, which shall be updated as I gather more information.
There were 27 titles in the original series “Well Loved Tales” (6O6D, Easy Reading), which were produced between 1964 to 1974 with a hardback matt cover. In 1979 Ladybird began to completely redesigned the series with new illustrations throughout and adding several new stories.
Today I have been mostly looking at 1980’s – 1990’s retro geometric patterns in fashion. Now my eyes hurt…
