The Fabric of Our Lives

Lately I've been perusing vintage magazines that I've purchased at auctions.  I find them so entertaining, not just for the articles but for the advertisements.  I keep a pad of sticky notes with me and mark each page that I may want to refer to in the future.  By the end of my magazine review, I have a pile of periodicals with a fringe of sticky notes, waiting for attention at a later date.

Today I'd like to share some of the magazine pages I earmarked by focusing on the post-World War II era here in the USA. The space race was on, and showing the world our scientific advances in all areas, including housewares, was clearly on display.  Let's have a look at textile offerings from the post-nuclear age.

Here we have Dad looking beyond thrilled in his Textron pajamas.  Not only is the fabric comfy, but they have roomier armholes and the patented "parachute no-seam seat", so it feels as if you aren't wearing anything!  I don't know about you, but sometimes I can't get to sleep because of those seams in my pajamas.

 

Orlon was an acrylic fiber that kept its shape and saved housewives hours of ironing.

 

DuPont created Nylon, undoubtedly one of the most popular synthetic fabrics of all time:

 

According to this ad, in order to "be safe", you must insist on furniture upholstered with all plastic Duran upholstery covering!  Makes me wonder what's unsafe about natural materials....

 

For some strange reason, Arthur Godfrey was peddling "Fiberglas" curtains back in the day.  For easy cleaning, I'll bet you could just leave them hanging and hose them down with your garden hose:

 

 

Although not exactly "fabric", housewares made of Styron should receive an honorable mention here.  This ad appealed to me because of the ubiquitous housewife wearing an apron and high heels and the hubby smoking a pipe.

 

I think it's always a good idea to wrap your torso in something highly flammable when you're going to be working in the kitchen, don't you?

Last but not least, we have Polyester.  Without Polyester, we wouldn't have the leisure suit, countless Halloween costumes, embarrassing family photos, and Napoleon Dynamite's rust-colored prom outfit.

Thanks for stopping by today.  As you can see, my new blog design isn't ready yet.  My grandma used to say "projects always take twice as long and cost twice as much as you think they will".  I have a feeling she's going to be right, at least when it comes to the time part.

Have a great weekend,

Mitzi

Comments

[Jennifer]

I'm guessing that the nylon apron would have been much better made from fibre glass curtain material. Great ads.

[Mitzi Curi]

Thanks for stopping by this morning, Jennifer! Im going to pay a visit to your lovely blog too!

Mitzi

[Barbara]

Fun as always, Mitzi! I've been working on a project for our local community reading event that involves looking at advertisements from the 1950s - love everything about them!

[Mitzi Curi]

It's nice that our idea of fun doesn't cost a lot, right, Barbara?

[Nelly]

I always love looking thru old mags great entertainment and some good laughs

[Jacqueline]

Dearest sweet mitzi, these pages are so inspiring. I adore vintage magazines too! Thanks so much for sharing these with us. Have a lovely merry happy sunday and love to you!

[Mitzi Curi]

Thanks for visiting today, Jacqueline! You are the sweetest gal in the blog world, hands-down!

Mitzi

[Mitzi Curi]

Youre a lot like me, Nelly. A couple old magazines and a cup of coffee and Im happy as a clam!

Mitzi

[Bev C]

Hello Mitzi,

I can just imagine slaving over a hot stove with a nylon apron on!!! Funny thing with those chairs the club style chair is all the rage now!!! What goes around comes around.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo