Alex W. sent in a 1972 ad for Weyenberg Massagic shoes (a version of which was reprinted in Ms. magazine in 1974, after appearing in Playboy). The ad uses subtle imagery and text to imply that if men buy the right footwear, women will be so entranced that they will remain in their natural habitat, the floor (more specifically, as reader Jamie points out, at your feet), just for the chance to gaze at the beautiful product:
Comments 22
Alana — December 6, 2010
Holy wow.
Jamie — December 6, 2010
You mean "at your feet," not on the floor. Yikes. How scary.
mzza — December 6, 2010
hee hee hee. "subtle". hee hee hee.
Zula — December 6, 2010
I find it especially amusing because those shoes would probably be read as "feminine" nowadays.
Zachary — December 6, 2010
Funny you should say so, Zula. When I first glanced at it, I read it as an ad for a woman's shoe.
Alana — December 6, 2010
I think they are some pretty swank men's shoes. But, still. Icky.
bbonnn — December 6, 2010
"Keep her where where she belongs ... relaxing in front of a roaring fire as she gazes contentedly at her souvenir, left behind by a sexist pig who ran off in a panic after making the mistake of suggesting that women belong on the floor."
SamR — December 6, 2010
Why are these shoes not mens shoes? Bunch of sexist women around here.
Emma — December 6, 2010
Ok, did anyone else notice that she is NAKED?! The ad is shocking at it is, but her not wearing clothes catapults it into "HOLY SHIT" land.
Jared — December 7, 2010
I don't really understand what this ad is saying. Not even during the 1950s was it the prevailing cultural belief in America that women belong crawling around on the ground. Surely even the most macho men found this ad ridiculously stupid when it ran.
Leigh — December 13, 2010
Reminds me of this 1970's one for pants:
Tag Line: "It's nice to have a girl around the house"
http://www.fashionrat.com/images/vintage-pants-trouser-ad-from-the-70s-creepy-and-s1.jpg
AitchCS — December 27, 2010
I would so totally wear those shoes!