...or do they? No-iron, reversible belts, easy care and pastel ground... are they selling shirts or tractors? "a maxi-fashion look at a value-packed price. Perma-Prest polyester-cotton dress shirt – easy care, just machine-wash-dry, no-iron. Short sleeves."

As if just using the VCR wasn't hard enough, did you ever try using it to play a classic boardgame? I remember being at a party once in the 80s. Everything was going great when someone pulled out the Clue VCR game. After yawn... many... yawn... attempts to fast forward... rewind... oh wait... that was record... many people abandoned the party and went for snacks at the local convenience store.

Fast forward again to present day. We received one of those DVD games for Christmas and I still can't get it to work!

Taken from the 1986 Sears Wishbook.

It's true! The rule for how Sears sells mirrors can also be extended to bath and stand up shower kits. Take note of this full page from 1990 where obviously someone hoped that 'shag' in the bathroom would be a 90s thing...

Taken from the 1990 Spring and Summer Sears catalog.

I've noticed there seems to be a rule within the pages of the older Sears catalogs: All photographs of mirrors, beds and towels (with some exceptions) are to have a female model dressed and posed in appropriate attire. Appropriate attire meaning evening gown for all mirror, nighty for all bed and a tightly wrapped terry cloth for all towel shots. This seems to carry through right up until the mid 90s when things started getting more creative. For example: mirror and bed shots can include a female model in a tightly wrapped towel.

Taken from the 1976 Spring and Summer Sears catalog.

It's mid winter and I'm feeling like a little comfort food. Mmm. Chef Boy-ar-dee would do the trick.

"Some kids even laugh out loud. They think it's fun food, celebration food. But it's more. Chef Boy-ar-dee Ravioli is a nutritious food too. And most kids don't stop at one serving.

What is ravioli? It's a square of macaroni, a big helping of beef in the middle, and another macaroni square on top. Then it's cooked in think tomato and cheese sauce. There's Chicken or Cheese Ravioli, too. And only about 20 cents a serving. The Ravioli Smile. You don't get it with soups or sandwiches."

Unbelievable copy writing at it's best. And how could they make the claim that it was nutritious? At least there is some good here: I can pin point most of my poor domestic skills and feeling of poor parenting on the chef and Swanson. Ah, back to my comfort food...

Advertisement from Woman's Day magazine (March 1971).

Vogue Bra is a bra line which I never paid much attention to. Sears Canada has carried them since the 1980s and still does (they seem to focus on sports bras today). Do they sell them in the US? These 2 ladies from 1988 are sporting a more classic styling.

It's a strange advertisement when you think about it: Looks like they are in an office in nothing but their undies. Complete with the turtle shell paper weight on the desk top. Who came up with this? Is it possible the president of Sears got to choose his office as the venue?

Taken from the March 1988 edition of Toronto Life Fashion.

Why is it that the male underwear models of the 80s all looked like Chip 'n Dale dancers? Is it possible that there was some sort of covert deal between the catalog companies and that all-american male company?

Definitely not the boy next door look (at least where I live) the 2 guys shown here are demonstrating the latest from Ives Chevalier and Prodige.

Taken from the 1990 Spring and Summer Sears catalog. Prices enclosed in photo.

How many sweaters and tops does one need to go sailing? For this Bay model it appears that 4 should do it. You'd start with the Alligator shirt; followed by a nice red and white stripe; next the outerwear (in white); followed with the multicolored nautical sweat (just in case).

"Gant has bright ideas for spring '88; traditional styles in updated colors. You'll find knit tops, sportshirts, sweaters, pants, shorts and outerwear (hopefully not on all at once) that will inspire visions of weekends in the sun. And colors that reflect your care-free attitude: pink, sea green, berry and periwinkle blue. Get casual. Get the Gant advantage."

I wondered what became of the Gant clothing company. It seems their Gant advantage actually did pan out. I found this on the web: Gant Sportswear originated in the USA and they were the first shirtmakers to develop the button down collar shirt. An enterprising Swedish company bought Gant some years ago and have since taken the company to great heights as probably the world's most specialised and experienced sportswear brand. Really?

Taken from the March 1988 edition of Toronto Life Fashion.

I regret that I never learned how to sew. I have my mom's old Kenmore sewing machine (I think it's from the 60s) but I've never used it. An extension to this regret is my regret that I didn't teach my daughters' how to sew. It really seems to be a lost art. When I was young, every house seemed to have one and it usually sat in some common room and had the latest needed repairs draped over it. My friend had one which folded up neatly into the table. Ours, like the one pictured here, had a cover which always slipped off while you were carrying it by handle (still does) which meant you had to fork lift it with your hands to move it.

I love the ones which had the foot button which when you pressed hard made the sewing machine purr louder. The most delightful part of this full page is the insert with the girl and her mom. Was that taken in the 1980s or the 1970s?

Taken from the 1986 Sears Wishbook.

My daughters complain that our tent smells like a bear did number one on it. It is really old so I'm planning to buy a new tent for camping and turned to the Sears 2008, Spring & Summer catalog that I recently received. Guess what? Right up there with the now sears-extinct Porta-Potti, I was surprised to discover that the Sears catalog no longer carries tents in their catalog.

We camped a lot when I was young. I remember my parents buying us the 2-Man Nylon tent pictured here (on the left) once we got a little too share their tent. I always wanted the 'fly' version on the right but my parents were just too cheap. I also love the canopy pictured at the top of this page. That thing is huge – just look at the big boat of a car they have parked under it in the drawing!

Taken from the 1976 Spring and Summer Sears catalog.

Fortunately I never had to wear them (sorry Kristy) but Cheryl Tiegs and her clothes made quite an impact on Sears (and other department stores) during the 1980s. Quoted from the Sears Archive site:

"Sears saw great value in the positive image of Tiegs as both an active and attractive woman. Since its sales of women's fashion lines were lagging in the early 1980s, Sears approached Tiegs about entering into a marketing agreement. In 1981, Sears hired Tiegs as a spokeswoman for her own line of clothing and footwear."

Positive image... wait a second – wasn't she divorced 4 times? Well, at least I can imagine they were very happy to go with her over Britney.

Pictured here from the 1983 catalog are her 'fashions for girls'. Taken from the Sears Archives website.

I was outraged to learn by extensive personal research that the Sears catalog no longer carries the Porta-Potti (Portable fresh-water flush toilet). A revolution of the 20 century the compact Porta-Potti (also referred to as the port-a-john, port-o-let, sani-privy, port-a-san, porta-potty, toi-toi, shit-shack, porta-kybo or portaloo) Sears seemed to stop carrying them somewhere in the early 1980s.

Porta-Potti were a great idea in concept but never fun to clean or bring back on the trip home. I really felt that they should have come out with a disposable Porta-Potti for personal use once and throw away. Want to learn more about personal toilets? Wikipedia has an entry here.

Taken from the 1976 Spring and Summer Sears catalog.

When I was younger, I loved making up my own little soap operas about the characters I'd find in the various pages of the catalog. This story just had to be told...

On page 331 of the 1986 Sears Wishbook we find 'Doris' on her new Auto-Motion™ easy recliner. She gets that long distance feeling and decides to reach out to her grandkids to hear about their day. 'BBZZ'. Oh wait... someone beeps in. It's 'Rodney' from page 339. Rodney proceeds to tell Doris about his latest:

"You've seen similar beds on TV, you've read about them ...isn't it time you treated yourself to an adjustable bed from Sears. Warranted for 5 full years from date of purchase (you probably won't last that long anyway). Easily accessible hand control lets you select the exact position you desire for watching TV, reading, relaxing, working, dining and sleeping in absolute comfort (actually, with one of theses and a bed pan, you'd never need to go out again) ...".

He invites her up for a 'peek'. Doris agrees, quickly hangs up (forgetting about the grandkids) and leaves to pay Rodney that visit. Later we learn that in fact, Rodney had been trapped in his bed for over a day and although too proud to admit it, needed Doris to retrieve the corded remote from over the side of the bed. Oh yes, also to change the dial on the TV.

Two pages taken from the 1986 Sears Wishbook. Names of the models have been changed to protect their innocence.

Looking back at these old catalogs and magazines I'm always surprised when I come across something which still looks really fresh and vibrant. Case in point is this Calvin Klein Sport advertisement from 1988. Either I'm getting really old or this full page composition with the models, clothing, font, etc still looks extremely current.

I'm certainly no expert but I think these ads which appeared in the 1980s were much more powerful then the trouble Calvin got into with his ad campaign of the mid 90s.

A friend loaned me her collection of Toronto Life magazines (thanks Emma!). Taken from the March 1988 edition of Toronto Life Fashion.

Ranking amongst the top of those bright ideas (that just aren't safe) in a class with the likes of Lite Brite was the Easy Bake oven. I'm sure even Thomas Edison would cringe at the thought of any child putting their hands within inches of a 100 watt light-bulb. Here we have the Robin Hood Flour Co's version called the 'Micro-Lite Oven':

"...works on one 100-watt bulb (not included). Comes complete with starter kit containing 3 mixes, decoration, mixing bowl, baking pan, measuring spoons, cake knife and spatula".

Actually - I see an end of life for these toys. The US, Canada and others recently instituted a policy to ban the use all incandescent bulbs by 2014. I wonder if they will come out with a microwave version of the Easy Bake?

Taken from a 1986 Sears Wishbook.

I'm certain there aren't many bath and towel companies today that would trust their advertising company to use a middle-aged male model to sell their product. Apparently in 1976, Drylon did.

If you peek halfway through the Sears Spring and Summer catalog you'll see our friend "Ben" here modeling the latest in looped terry bath towels. Complete with foot tan, Ben couldn't help but have a smile on, knowing that he would probably be the last man to grace the bath and towel section of any modern department store catalog.

I tried to find Drylon the company but it seems they might now be defunct. I'd be happy to hear from someone who was previously in their advertising department. ;)

Taken from the 1976 Spring and Summer Sears catalog.

I'm ashamed to admit it but I am definitely a pack rat. I pulled a box of old clothes from the closet yesterday and discovered that I had kept a few pairs of my favourite underwear (yes, they were clean). In the late 1980s and early 90s I almost always wore Hanna undies with anything casual. For me, I found them very comfortable and could put them somewhere between sport and comfort wherever I wanted to be.

Although they were a polyester-cotton mix you wouldn't have noticed. Best part is that I tried them on and they actually do fit! They still look a little bit stylish don't they?

In case you want a pair: I did a quick search and couldn't seem to find them on the online racks anywhere with the exception of eBay. Oh well... as long as mine still fit!

Taken from the 1990 Spring and Summer Sears catalog. Prices enclosed in photo. Mine are not for sale.

Winter is in full swing and I feel my skin is facing the usual bout of dryness. I've been looking around for a better moisturizer – hey wait – I could be using Palmolive! Madge the manicurist was an icon of the 60s and 70s. I remember the television commercials of her customers' surprise when they discovered that they were 'soaking in it'.

Here's a classic advertisement from the 1971 Woman's Day magazine: "Madge! A dishwashing liquid to soften hands?" Madge replies: "It's all right – this is Palmolive." Customer responds: "Then it's mild?"...

I did some quick research and discovered that the character who played Madge was Jan Miner. She passed away on February 15, 2004 at the age of 86. There is a brief bio here.

One interesting point about this ad is the small print at the bottom: "Be sure to watch Dinah Shore on 'Dinah's Place,' in color, NBC, Monday through Friday, 10:00-10:30AM, NYT. Copyright 1970, Colgate-Palmolive Company." I don't remember that show (after all, in 1971 I was only 5). Anyone else remember it?

Checkered shorts were popular on and off the golf courses of the 1970s. I remember my uncle had a pair that I swear matched perfectly to one of our table cloths!

Notice the white belt on the model in the lower-left: My daughter asked for that very same belt a few years ago for her birthday. I wonder if those white studded belts would have been so popular with my daughter and her friends if they knew that their grandpas' were wearing them?

Taken from the 1976 Spring and Summer Sears catalog.

Polyester must have been the wonder fabric of the 20th century and it certainly seemed that it was used to excess within the fashion industry of the 70s and 80s.

"(3) Polyester Pants with the look and feel of wool. Set-on waistband with belt loops. Fly front. Tailored straight legs. Shipping weight: 11 ounces... $18.00"

I never owned a pair of wool pants (yes I did own a few polyester pairs). I think it's creative though to use one material to look like another. For example: how about using a teflon fabric – the caption could read: "Teflon pants with the look and feel of metal".

I think metal pants would be much more exciting than wool ones, don't you think?

Taken from the 1983 Sears Wishbook.

20+ years ago in the 1986 Sears Wishbook you would have seen this charming picture of the boy modeling active wear. He has a nice smile and it's a positive and warm photo. Did it sell clothes? Obviously there have been some changes in the catalog modeling industry.

Flash forward 20 years to the present and we have this photo of 2 boys modeling Sean John active wear. The smile is gone. Take a wander through the whole catalog and you'd get the impression that the fashion photographers and art directors feel that smiles don't sell.

Is it me or have the male teen models in Sears become more intimidating over the past 20 years? I'd certainly be cautious to let my daughter date any of those Sean John guys but who knows – The Chicago Bears' boy could be the real axe murderer.

Taken from a 1986 Sears Wishbook and from a 2007 Sears Wishbook (French Canadian edition)

get Widget!You've voted and here are the results. I'm not surprised to see that Crocs are ugliest but I wonder if the color makes a difference?

I couldn't find the original jingle that I remember but here's a commercial someone posted on YouTube. Embedded for those who like all things nostalgic...

You can be excused for thinking that this looks like a Spirograph because I was also. I've just learned that the Spirograph was actually toy of the year for 1967 only a year after being first introduced to the US market. By 1975 they were probably pretty use to rip offs such as this $4.95 Mechanograph Set.

I almost remember the Spirograph jingle which went something like: "The fun you can have with your Spirograph". I wonder if Mechanograph also ripped off the jingle?

Taken from a 1975 Sears Christmas catalog.

If you were lucky enough to live in a warm climate where you could immediately ride – getting a bike for Christmas was awesome. If you didn't, like me, the wait for spring thaw was painful. In the 1970s the banana seat was standard and a perfect way for someone to 'double ride'. If you were even more daring you could have someone sit on your 'sissy bar' (yes, that's what they called it).

For the boys, I remember the BMX. I wonder if these MX (the MX-650 and the MX-150) were pre-cursors? Anyway, they looked extremely cool with the pretend gas tank, fenders and number on the front.

Taken from the 1976 Spring and Summer Sears catalog.