14 Ridiculous 50s Ads That Targeted Women

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The 1950s was a time of poodle skirts, sock hops, and an endless supply of optimism. But behind the cheerful facade, a peculiar phenomenon was happening in the advertising world. Women, it seemed, were being bombarded with some of the most outlandish and downright baffling advertisements ever created.

From wacky beauty gadgets to kitchen appliances that swore they’d change a woman’s life, these ads seem to belong in a completely different world. They show us just how much progress we’ve made when it comes to gender equality and how ridiculous some of those old ideas were. And honestly, some of them are so bad they’re funny.

So, get ready to cringe and laugh as we open this time capsule and look back at 14 of the most ridiculous 50s ads that targeted women. We’re taking a wild ride through a world where sexism was the norm and marketing was… well, let’s just say it was a different time.

1. “Don’t worry darling, you didn’t burn the beer!” Schlitz Beer, 1952

Schlitz Beer tried to be reassuring but came off as patronizing with this slogan. The ad implied that a woman’s culinary skills were secondary to her ability to keep her husband’s beer cold. It was a backhanded compliment that highlighted the pressure that was on women to please their husbands, even if it meant overlooking their own achievements.

2. “It’s nice to have a girl around the house.” Mr. Leggs Pants, 1960

With this ad, Mr. Leggs Pants objectified women, reducing them to mere decorations in the home. The tagline implied that a woman’s primary purpose was to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a man’s living space rather than being valued for her own merits and contributions to the family.

3. “Show her it’s a man’s world.” Van Heusen Ties, 1951

This Van Heusen Ties ad reinforced the patriarchal view of society, implying that women needed to be reminded of their place in a “man’s world.” It was a blatant assertion of male dominance and a stark reminder of the power dynamics that existed between men and women during that era.

4. “Christmas morning she’ll be happier with a Hoover.” Hoover Vacuum Cleaners, 1950

Hoover Vacuum Cleaners equated a woman’s happiness with receiving a household appliance as a gift. The ad implied that a vacuum cleaner was the ultimate expression of love and appreciation, perpetuating the notion that a woman’s primary role was maintaining a clean and tidy home.

5. “Blow in her face and she’ll follow you anywhere.” Tipalet Cigarettes, 1951

Tipalet Cigarettes applied a bizarre and suggestive approach to this marketing strategy, implying that smoking would make a woman more submissive and compliant. The ad’s message is not only offensive but also downright creepy, suggesting that men can manipulate women through smoking and reduce them to passive objects.

6. “If your husband ever finds out you’re not store-testing for fresher coffee… ” Chase & Sanborn Coffee, 1952

Chase & Sanborn Coffee used a heavy dose of fear and guilt to manipulate women into buying their product. The ad played on women’s anxiety about trying to meet their husbands’ expectations, even in something as simple as coffee freshness. It implied that a woman’s worth as a wife was determined by her ability to serve the perfect cup of joe. Talk about pressure!

7. “Keep her where she belongs…” Chlorodent Toothpaste, 1950s

Chlorodent Toothpaste’s ad was about as subtle as a brick to the face when it came to reinforcing traditional gender roles. It suggested that a woman’s place was at home, dependent on her husband, and her primary role was to please him and maintain a dazzling smile for his benefit.

8. “The Chef does everything but cook—that’s what wives are for!” Kenwood Chef Mixer, 1950s

Kenwood’s ad for their new kitchen appliance reinforced the notion that cooking was solely a woman’s responsibility, even with modern conveniences. It implied that while the appliance can handle various tasks, the actual act of cooking is still reserved for the wife, perpetuating the outdated idea that women belong in the kitchen.

9. “Coffee-mate gives coffee more body… more flavor!” Coffee-mate, 1950s

Coffee-mate’s ad used a suggestive image of a woman’s figure to promote their coffee creamer. The not-so-subtle implication was that adding their product would enhance coffee’s appeal in the same way that a woman’s curves enhance her attractiveness.

10. “Men are better than women! Indoors, women are useful, even pleasant.” Drummond Sweaters, 1950s

Drummond Sweaters‘ ad blatantly declares male superiority while relegating women to indoor roles, implying they are only valued for their domestic duties and pleasing nature. The era’s chauvinistic tone is perfectly captured in this ad, where women were outright marginalized and viewed as inferior to men.

11. “So the harder he works, the cuter she looks!” Lux Liquid, 1950s

Lux Liquid’s ad suggested that a woman’s attractiveness is directly linked to her husband’s work ethic, implying that her primary role is to look good for him. Looking back, it’s startling to see an ad that so blatantly reduced a woman’s worth to her physical appearance and her ability to keep her husband happy.

12. “Is it always illegal to kill a woman?” – Del Monte Ketchup, 1953

Del Monte Ketchup used a shocking and offensive question in their ad, trivializing violence against women and using it as a ploy to promote their product. This was an ad that chose to fan the flames of fear rather than take a genuine interest in protecting women from domestic violence.

13. “Don’t let your hands say ‘housework.'” Ivory Liquid, 1950s

Ivory Liquid’s ad implies housework is detrimental to a woman’s appearance and perpetuates the notion that women should strive for youthful, delicate hands (despite being expected to do all the housework). This ad demanded that women put their physical appearance above all else, even their own well-being.

14. “Women don’t leave the kitchen!” Westinghouse, 1950s

Westinghouse’s ad explicitly stated that women belong in the kitchen, confining them to the domestic sphere. These Mad Men-era ads force-fed society a limited script for women, reducing their capabilities and potential to a limited spectrum of domestic roles.