'There is something delightfully feminine about a wife who spends a little more than her
husband's actual income...'
This brilliant quote comes from a 1930's copy of Woman's Own I found at an antiques fair in York this weekend. In his article ' praising women's faults,' Guy Trent explains: 'We admire your feminine tantrums, your naughty unreasonableness, your funny little vanities...but most of all we love you for your dependence on us.' Victoria Beckham - please take note!
I'm addicted to vintage women's magazines. They catalogue social history and the changing roles of the sexes over the years. Remember the bra burners of the swinging sixties? They'll be in their sixties themselves by now taking Ibruprofen for back pain and wondering just what they have achieved.
By the fifties 'Picture Post' was championing motor cycle sport for women whilst still telling us to don our best hats for Ascot. And in 1985 Peugeot were urging women to buy their very own sportscar - only £5,995 on the road...
But back to that Woman's Own. 'Now it's YOUR turn' it finishes 'to tell us what you feel about the men. Five shillings each for the best letters and only one fault at a time please.' You couldn't make it up...
Here's to the next generation of women - says 'thoroughly modern Millie...'
