Jezebel: Retro

Ebony Just Started a Tumblr & It's Already Awesome

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST

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Vintage covers and advertising! Seriously, just go look. More »

Where To Go For All Your Hall & Oates-Related Emergencies

Margaret Hartmann — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:05:00 EST

There's nothing worse that getting the uncontrollable urge to listen to "Maneater" and realizing you forgot to load your Very Best of Daryl Hall & John Oates album onto your phone. Thankfully, as demonstrated in this Buzzfeed video, there's now a service that ensures '80s cheesiness will always be just a phone call away. More »

Large Hair Bows Were Required For Guests At Dorothy's Doll Party

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:15:00 EST

Mary janes! Socks! Hair bows! So much pretty. The caption reads: "July 22, 1913. Washington, D.C. "Dorothy's party." At center is Dorothy French, daughter of National Photo Co. proprietor Herbert French." Image via Shorpy; see a larger version here. More »

Faux Stuffed Woman's Head: For Vintage Creeps With Questionable Taste

Erin Gloria Ryan — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:45:00 EST

Having difficulty searching for perfect gift? Do you have a time machine? Well, why not take it back to 19-something-awful and purchase this glorious bit of crapsidermy, ideal for the serial killer or terminal hipster bastard in your life. More »

Coloring Book Teaches Kids Fun Racial Stereotypes

Doug Barry — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:55:00 EST

We recently found this crazy coloring book called Mexicans Don't Always Eat Tacos at a used bookstore. It's supposed to teach kids about diversity, but it was published in 1979 and all the pictures are, well, problematic. The book, which proposes to deconstruct racial stereotypes by illustrating (in full ethnographic splendor) how people aren't circumscribed by their particular ethnicities in their choice of cuisine, falls into the honeypot of racial profiling. The authors seem to make a genuine effort to tear down racial boundaries, but there's only so far their good intentions can reach through the tangled masses of curly hair that they scribble on top of their illustrated "Jew." Our enlightened, 21st century eyes may easily see the errors of ignorance in this book, but we can't fault a genuine effort. Maybe a more unifying, universal title, something that emphasized the characteristics all people share and celebrated their differences rather than just highlighting those differences with crude squiggles would have been better. Something like, "Everybody eats...except for Ethiopia." More »

The Pin-Up Pilgrim Goes For A Turkey Trot

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:45:00 EST

[via Life.] More »

How To Buy Elegant Spectacles In The 1950s

Whitney Jefferson — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:15:00 EDT

Enjoy a look at this fashion parade of fancy eyeglasses. Yes, most of the frames are outdated and look like prescription cocktail jewelry. But after watching such fetching ladies trying on them on, I've decided this should be poor-sighted gal's dream: to have eyewear experts weigh in on which of the "colorful creations" would suit both your individual personality and that oblong face of yours. Sounds much more pleasant than that lady behind the Sears Optical counter, who probably has no idea how to draw attention away from the jawline of yours. More »

14-Year-Old LeAnn Rimes Was 'All That'

Whitney Jefferson — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:45:00 EDT

When The Huffington Post directed our attention to this old photo of LeAnn Rimes, we had to know more: what's "All That"? (The Nickelodeon show?) What's with that blinding pendant she's got on? How about the poufy-bangs-and-scrunchie combo? And really: Why is she so damn sassy at a mere 14 years of age? More »

Why Do We Want The 1990s Back?

Lane Moore — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:15:00 EDT

In case you haven't heard, a ton of people want ‘90s pop culture to come back in full force. More »

The Swimsuit Just For Ladies Who Want To Set Things On Fire

Dodai Stewart — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:10:00 EDT

Today we stumbled on this image from July of 1955. The caption reads: More »

Watch Baby Ryan Gosling and Baby Justin Timberlake's Mickey Mouse Club Serenade

Whitney Jefferson — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EDT

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If you're anything like me, you threw a fit until your parents special-ordered the Disney Channel, ran home from school every day to catch the Mickey Mouse Club at 5pm, and taped each of their concert specials on VHS to treasure forever and ever. But if your preteen obsessions were more highbrow than mine, here's a clip you might have missed from one of said specials. An oldie but a goodie, this rendition of "Cry For You" features a teeny-tiny Justin Timberlake and perhaps-even-tinier Ryan Gosling serenading a crowd of screaming girls, all the while dressed in the baggiest of '90s fashions. More »

Woman Gets Very, Very Excited About Sponge Painting

Whitney Jefferson — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:55:00 EDT

I think we can all agree that our elementary school art classes would have been a little bit more fun with this lady in charge — if she squeals with delight over a squiggly pattern made from a sponge, imagine her reaction to papier-mâché! More »

Tatler's Princess Di Puts Newsweek's To Shame

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:37:00 EDT

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How often do you see an "I know! Let's dress the models up like famous people! That'll be fun!" editorial that's as conceptually original and funny as this one, from the new issue of Tatler? Not very often, sadly. More »

What The Gap Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love

Abe Gurko — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:00:00 EDT

The news that Patrick Robinson was fired last week from the Gap was not that shocking. The Gap has had a few cute moments since Patrick arrived on the scene, but consistency was lacking. You don't need me to ramble on and on about what did not work during his reign, but I am happy to suggest a few key bits that should be taken under serious consideration if they really want to revitalize the brand. First things first let us identify the key times that we "fall into the Gap" with full intention, because Lord knows, when you are just browsing, the Gap is not the first stop. More »

Vintage Propaganda Posters Warn Against STD-Riddled Women

Whitney Jefferson — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:53:00 EDT

Before Weapons of Mass Destruction, American soliders faced a different type of war-time casualty: venereal disease. While we remember the posters of Uncle Sam declaring "I Want You to Join the U.S. Army", the Army was also concerned that their potential recruits were clean. More »

Typewriters Are The Next Annoying Retro Fad

Anna North — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EDT

After home canning, chicken husbandry, and fixed-gear bicycles, what old practice is next in line to be revived and embraced by hip young urbanites? Answer: typing on typewriters. More »

Woman Searches For Long-Lost Mother Spotted In Vintage Fitness Video

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:58:00 EST

Friday we posted a film clip from 1945, in which women were pummeled and prodded by machines. On Saturday, we received a fascinating email regarding said video. More »

Is Online Dating Site's Matching Criteria Sexist?

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 16:20:00 EST

An alert reader tipped us off to the fact that dating site PlentyofFish.com is using some pretty retrotacular criteria to match its users, because if you're a woman, you therefore must want someone older, taller, and not-poor. Right? More »

Back When An Advice Columnist Could Hand Down Any Dictate

Sadie Stein — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:45:00 EST

We're really liking Carol Cameron's know-it-all 1930 beauty/fitness/personality/vaseline/golf/everything advice column. Example: "The only excuse for make-up is to supply a deficiency-to make you appear to have the rosy cheeks and bright lips that you should possess." More »

Back When Drag Was "Adult Reading"

Sadie Stein — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:45:00 EST

"Gene was just a normal married man, till he took a job as a model for – of all things – women's fashions. Then the hidden side of his nature came out!" Finest in adult reading, indeed! More »

Vintage Makeup Ads Turn You From Loser To Irresistible!

Sadie Stein — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST

We'd love these 30s ads for the gorgeous artwork alone, but the weird copy makes them truly fascinating. More »

17-Year-Old Amy Winehouse's Handwritten To-Do List

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:06:00 EST

The singer had Big Plans for when she would someday land a record deal. Among them: "Live like the bombshell I really am." And: "Get teeth fixed." More »

Vintage Kardashian Holiday Cards: Old Noses, Awkward Poses

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:44:00 EST

After releasing the 2010 Kardashian-Jenner Christmas photo, Kim Kardashian got nostalgic and posted some old holiday pictures of her family. Let's visit with ghosts of Christmas past! More »

Teen Magazines Have Really Changed

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:50:00 EST

From 1958: "Win this guy as your slave"? Really? More »

Michael Jackson's Version Of Happy Hour

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:40:00 EST

[This image just begs to be forwarded to a friend. As my pal wrote, "He looks so happy!" Thanks to the folks at ONTD for posting it, and making this Monday magnificent.]

Dress Code: Know Your Era

Sadie Stein — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:25:00 EST

The single best tip I ever heard about dressing? This is it. More »

25 Years Later, Goonies Still Never Say Die

Dodai Stewart — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:49:00 EDT

One-Eyed Willie! Young Josh Brolin! Truffle shuffle! I smell ice cream! The 25th anniversary DVD edition of The Goonies comes with a board game and a 1985 "souvenir magazine reprint," whatever that is. More »

Christina Hendricks Has Animal Magnetism In Pin-Up-Style Shoot

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:40:00 EDT

Hair like a simmering flame? Check. Retro leopard-print fashions? Check. The ability to make our hearts race and our face feel flush? Check. Check! More images after the jump. More »

Rare Photographs Reveal The Ladies Who Hung Out With Hells Angels

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:48:00 EDT

Life.com just put up a never-seen before, unpublished Hells Angels gallery. And while the images (from 1965) of the guys are interesting, it's the women who will really catch your eye. More »

If You Don't Use Lotion, You'll Never Get Laid

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EDT

That's the message behind this 1954 ad for Trushay hand softener. Annie's hands are so bad, the dog is giving her side-eye. More »

Extremely Creepy Toddler Reminds Us That "It's Easy To Dye"

Hortense Smith — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:20:00 EDT

Vintage Ads is currently running a "creepy kids in ads" contest, and, well, I'm going to have to vote for Creepy Baby-Dye-The-Cat-Blood-Red over here. Click to enlarge. [VintageAds] More »

Katy Perry's Kiddie Glamour Shot Reveals An Early Love Of Pink, Cheesy Posing

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EDT

The whipped cream enthusiast Tweeted, "Grandma brought this one outta the closet today!" More »

"Sweats: A Great Way To Dress, 24 Hours A Day"

Hortense Smith — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EDT

I don't know which is more amusing: the intense sweatpants love in this retro Gap "action wear" commercial, or the fact that every article of clothing seen in said commercial can probably currently be purchased at American Apparel. More »

See Megan Fox In Middle School, Before Severe SexyFace Took Hold

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:45:00 EDT

Cute! And her hair was so light! More »

"Vacations Are For Father, But Mother Makes The Plans"

Hortense Smith — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EDT

For what would Mother ever need a vacation from? Cleaning? Cooking? Sewing? Ironing? Raising the kids? Planning a vacation strictly for Father's benefit? She LOVES those things! Imagine. A vacation for Mother. Now that's just crazy talk. [VintageAds] More »

Video Flashback: 1982's Miss Valley Girl Competition Is Totally Tubular

Margaret Hartmann — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:50:00 EDT

In this clip from Real People, teens compete to be named Encino, California's best Valley Girl. Don't be fooled by the presence of Fred Willard; this isn't a Christopher Guest movie. These things really happened. More »

Why Dress Like A Wife When You Can Dress Like A Mistress?

Dodai Stewart — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:18:00 EDT

Can you brew bathtub gin? Can you keep up with a well-cycled male chauvanist who rides like he's in the Indianapolis 500? Do you think of yourself as a liberated woman? You should be wearing the Mistress Collection. By Funky. More »

Prediction About MJ's Future Appearance Could Not Have Been More Wrong

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:40:00 EDT

This, from a 1985 issue of Ebony, does get an A for effort, though. [Best Week Ever] More »

"I Dreamed I Was A Lady Editor In My Maidenform..."

Sadie Stein — Fri, 21 May 2010 19:20:00 EDT

And like so many dreams of prior generations, for bloggers of today, working in one's underwear is no mere dream, but a reality. Okay, maybe not the girdle part. But we could! [Vintage_Ads] More »