Fifty Years Ago.

Although not strictly in MY Grandma's time, it is most definitely in THIS Granna's time.

I found the following whilst researching copies of The Lady Magazine for 1961 in preparation for a Talk to a ladies' organisation celebrating their 50th Anniversary.......

Switzerland - 14 days from £24 (all travel and hotels, hostesses and courier service included).

Huge double-fronted house at Chislehurst, Kent at £7,395 (we bought our own first house, a semi-detached in Aylesbury that same year for £2,750.)

3-piece suit and top coat - all wool tweed.  8 gns.

Advertisements:
'Bust Beauty - AQUAMASS can add missing inches or tone up slack muscles quickly, safely and naturally.  Many thousands of women have already proved the success of the amazing water-massage technique. '

' Looked in the mirror lately?  Find that your figure's adding years to your age?  Despair of ever recovering that youthful look and vitality?  You can check that ugly sagging stomach-to-hips spread even now if you use a RALLIE BELT.   No violent exercise required.  No drugs.  No diet. '

'BEATNIX by LIBERTY -  For the young at heart of all ages - The Pantie Girdle that's different - with 2 crotch belts and detachable suspenders .. 49/3d. '

An advertisement for De Reszke Cigarettes with a picture of a very attractive woman (from the ring on her finger, obviously married) smoking. 3/5d for 20.

'MUSICAL OCCASIONAL TABLE - only 59/6d.
A beautiful table superbly hand-worked and artistically decorated with enchanting Japanese multi-coloured designs on a black ebony lacquer finish.... brings the charm and mystery of the Orient, and will be envied by all who see it in your home.  BUT WAIT .. open the handy drawer and be enchanted by the most fascinating and melodious music, with wonderful clarity of tone to amaze you.....'
(However did we resist buying one of those...?)

'CHALEX DOMESTIC DRYING CABINET - 15 ft. of plastic-covered drying rail.  2 heat controls.  Enclosed heating element.  No sharp edges.  Finest value for money to the housewife - only £9.14s.6d.

...... Note the reference to 'housewife'  - every woman in those days was 'proud' to be one of those and many, many advertisements were directed at the little lady indoors.    There was even a book especially written for her, and advertised as follows ...

.. '  "The Complete Housewife" by Carlton Wallace (n.b. a MAN!).   This book lives up to its title as a really comprehensive guide to the efficiently-run and tasteful home.  '

Don't think that would go down too well with today's young women - how times have changed since first we two were wed.