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1976 SEARS CHRISTMAS WISH BOOK PART 1 - Catalog Junk & Men's Clothes
May 2009 by Kelly For a while now, I've been dying to get my hands on an old Sears or JC Penney catalog from the 1970s. A Sears Wish Book was what I most hoped to find. They can be found on eBay, but I'm not willing to pay top dollar for one. So, I've been scouring flea markets and thrift stores hoping to find one with no luck. Then a friend of Ham's came along and offered to let us borrow one of his (he collects old items from our town, and this came from our local Sears). Of all the things I've wanted to review, I wanted this the most. Alas, I have my holy grail. There is so much goodness to share from this catalog, be warned: this will be a multi-part series! This chapter covers catalog stuff (you'll see what I mean) and men's clothes. I thought it would be interesting to share this tax table I found. It shows the sales tax in every state as of the winter of 1976. 2 1/2% in Nebraska!
Likewise, here's the shipping and handling charges.
In the middle with this stuff they also listed the awesomest toys and on which page each could be found:
Toss Across
Don't get me started on
Digger The Dog I find it interesting that in 1976 gift certificates still looked like certificates. Or checks. See, they did start out looking like what they're named after!
On to Men's Clothes! And what better place to start than Tartan Plaid Double Knit Slacks?
I love that word, "slacks" - it's funny.
They're so awful, but they definitely were the rage. My family albums contain picture after picture of everyone from my mother to my great-grandfather rocking the plaid slacks. It took an awful long time for my one grandfather to stop wearing them, actually. But I am happy to declare that he eventually did. Thank goodness. It wouldn't be a 70s fashion post without a Leisure Suit! Dig it!
Love that guy in the middle on the bottom - he thinks his shirt is totally hilar. The guy on the right is like, "Seriously? You're selling this?" It also wouldn't be a 70s post without BROWN being prominently featured. Not only BROWN, but BROWN with RUST!
I love it! Here's something for the slender man in a "European" mood:
I guess it's for a "slender" man because of all the layers? All those layers even make the model look plump. And there they go with slacks again. Under "Slacks" it says "European cut for slim builds." So, there weren't any fat Europeans? Or did they wear "American cut for obese builds"? Let's go rocking at the Jeans Joint!
Wait - "where the girls can wear the outfits, too"??? Oh, why did I give this back? I don't have a picture of that! I need a picture of that! I'm posting this next shirt because it has an urn on it. It is my Ode On A Grecian Urn.
Sorry this next one is blurry. Stupid camera. Ok, stupid Me. Basically, I just wanted to illustrate the liberal use of the word "husky" back then. And also note the colors. Chalk blue? Chalk green? Chalk tan? And these are different from blue, green and tan how, exactly? The LOLs really start when you see the stick figures at the bottom of the page.
This is the first time I've ever seen a Some more far-out shirts:
I kinda like that leafy one at the bottom left! I'll have to get one for Ham. Now, let's check out...
Pullovers just like primitive man wore!
The guy on the right - what even is that on his sweater? A school bus? Oh, dear. What's better than just pullovers? Sweater Coordinates!
Believe it or not, these next shirts are flannel. And they have them buttoned up and tucked in. This isn't Kurt's flannel kids! The dog one is particularly snazzy. A quick Amazon search for "dog flannel" only yielded pajamas. Yes, folks, we now only wear to bed what groovy 70s dudes once wore to da club!
And then there's pullover acrylic shirts.
You don't see these too much nowadays! OMG, reading the fine print, it comes
with an attached mock-turtle-neck
Dickie
70s Men's fashion wouldn't be complete without some polo shirts. What a great holiday gift idea! Er, uh....
Who would want a picture of these idiots on their shirt? Haha, I know, I get it - put yourself on your shirt! Wackiness! Hilarity ensues! There is a word for that picture in a picture in a picture phenomenon and I cannot come up with it. If anyone thinks of it let me know! Meanwhile, let's take a closer look at our options, shall we?
God, I hate clowns. But, I'd wear that bowling shirt any day of the week! And then there's this guy.
And this guy, all obsessed with being European once again.
That's some tie!
I love how it says "even in men of average build". Because you know how hard it is for the "average" man to look "slim." These people make no sense. Another couple of fake Europeans:
You have to love these! You have to (I said so)!
Apparently, "tattersall" is a word, even though spell check hates it. I thought that was houndstooth? I guess I thought wrong. Here's a... um... jacket. Good lord, the opposite page says something about the Fonz from Happy Days!
Last, but not least I shall leave you with this:
That Asian guy's all like, "You look ridiculous. Glad I didn't have to demonstrate the hood - there goes your career, Loser!" That's it for Part 1 of our new 1976 Sears Wishbook Series. Stay tuned for Part 2! (Posted 05/2009) GO TO PROJECT ABSURD HOME PAGE
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! That brings up memories!
! I
wanted that thing so bad this very year (1976) I can still remember
pestering my parents for it constantly. I recently found a vintage Digger at a
Rescue Mission and completely freaked (we got rid of my original one a long time ago). It now sits on our
stereo. Well, don't worry, kids, there will be a hearty toy review
coming. That section was endless.
! I've been hoping to use the word "dickie"
in a post! Mission Accomplished!
