Retro Advertising……. try not to laugh!

You have to admit that today’s advertising has changed so much when compared to decades earlier. Some retro advertising will make you laugh, some will shock you, some condones violence and some are so sexist. Women really were advertised as second rate citizens and if you didn’t meet the standard or were ageing, they promoted negative thoughts in your mind.

Beauty

Lets start on the beauty advertisements.

These are quite funny. Washing away fat or middle age skin… we know that’s not likely. Also the promotion of putting on extra weight to get men is crazy! How about being happy with who you are. These double standards are ridiculous, yet it’s funny that this is still present in modern society. Celebrities are constantly shamed for being too fat or skinny… I guess some things don’t change!

Health

Then there was the heath advertising …

These are hilarious, don’t you think? First a nurse offering coke, not likely now since we all know the sugar content is so high! Taking bile beans makes you feel better and then you love your child. That’s ridiculous! Doctors advising to smoke cigarettes and pregnant women craving cigarettes….. I definitely don’t think so! What about the infra red light…. now that is definitely not a good idea.

Gift Ideas

Next let’s look at gift advertising!

I can’t believe the one to give your child a revolver. Wow! Let alone any member of the family. I adore retro Gay ware and would love it as a present (even though I have completed my collection) but advertisements back then were aimed at presents to make a good housewife. And Ronald Regan giving the gift of a carton of cigarettes wouldn’t be done today as the government media are supposed to encourage people to give-up.

Sexist

Next let’s look at the shockers that I think can be classified as sexist advertising!

These are unbelievable, right!? The one with the husband spanking his wife over her knee…. well doesn’t that just encourage abuse! Put your child in a corset to restrict her body from growing or she will not be beautiful….really?! So many advertisements outlined how women’s bodies had to be! We are all beautiful and don’t have to fit into one body type, which is what makes us all unique. Advertisements promoted women to achieve ridiculous standards in order to keep their husbands happy… The amount of sexism in these advertisements was so obvious! Seeing these, it is evident how much our advertisements and media industry have evolved.

Did you find these funny and some shocking? What retro advertisements have you seen? Send me photos and your thoughts. I would love to see them.

Back soon…..

Ridiculously Retro xx
Photos taken from Instagram & Pinterest