“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.
“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.
“Great fashion just for you at Young C&A.”These C&A ads for childrenswear date from 1984-87.
“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.
“Instant outfits for today’s pant people!” For girls who want today’s favoured Folk-Art Look, boys who want to be done up sailor-style, and crushed velvet for holiday happenings for the grown-ups.
“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.
“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.
“Rise On!” These ads for Flagg Bros menswear, shoes and accessories date from 1972-79.
“Clothing to the Stars.” These two black and white illustrated ads for Hollywood Boulevard mens shirts are from 1975.
“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.
“Kmart. Yes. Kmart.”These ads for Kmart kids clothing are all from 1987.
“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.
“Every man’s idea of Christmas!” Here’s a selection of Christmas themed menswear adverts dating from 1951-59.
The Fine Art of Italian KnitsThese three ads for Michelangelo knitwear date from 1969 to 1970 and feature America Baseball player Walt Frazier.
“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.
“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.
“Beauty on a budget…” These ads for Ship ‘N Shore women’s fashions date from 1949-50.
“Your winter in amethyst.” This eight-page advert for women’s fashions made from various Steven’s Fine Fabrics dates from 1960.
“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.
“Like daddy’s in all but size.”These ads for Twigs boys clothing date from 1947-50.
