As I compiled material for my book Vintage Notions, some of my favorite findings fell under the header Amy B.’s Favorite Vintage Advice From the Quirky to the Conventional. These timeworn tips reveal an insightful glimpse at the customs, fashions and products of yesteryear. Boy, have times changed!
In that spirit, I’d like to share with you some of the funnier fare I’ve found in my vast library of vintage resources. Each Friday, I’ll post amusing advertisements, articles or advice. Let’s share a laugh and a look back at these quirky treasures, spanning the topics of domestic arts, fashion, beauty and more. If it’s weird, witty or wacky, you’ll see it here.
A veritable goldmine of such curiosities is Dressmaking Made Easy by Mary Brooks Picken. Mary was well revered for her expertise in sewing and fashion, but who knew she was also an authority on ladylike behavior? In this book, Mary devoted a whole chapter to proper postures and gestures, including an entire page about how to get in and out of a car. She condemned such ungainly activities as policeman’s thumb,bramble-bush slouch,the elbow habit and a jack-knife bend.
Here’s Mary’s final word on foot placement:
Establish the habit of feet together with toes straight ahead for smartness, and you will have less foot trouble throughout your life. Though not seen, corns and calluses mar your beauty, because foot pains leave telltale lines in your face.
Check back for more quirky quotes and images each week!
