33 of the Most Sexist Ads of Yesteryear

Sexist ads from the 40s, 50s, 60s & 70s

Ah, the good ol’ days of chauvinistic sexism. A time when a good woman knew her place – in the kitchen at the foot of her man. And whenthese housewives weren’t dreaming of getting appliances for Christmas or writhing in fear of losing her husband over improper feminine hygiene, she was flashing the power of her assets from a slinky evening dress.

I’d like to think we’ve grown since the dogmatic days of Madison Avenue’s portrayal of women and wives and their love for pleasing their hubby’s through domesticated tasks. At least we seem to laugh at such stereotypes we see on AMC’s Mad Men.

But even as sexist as Don Draper is, nothing in his television world compares to these crazy sexist print advertisements from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s. In fact, I think Don and his ad men boy’s club of could only dream of creating sexist ads as ludicrous as these. Reach higher, Don… Reach higher.

Shake your head and enjoy!

Yes. Yes, it is. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at this ad. It’s not only offensive but what the hell does it have to do with postage meters? Is it always illegal to kill a copywriter?

WoW! First a man on the moon… and now a ketchup bottle a woman can open??? AMAZING!

I bet there were a few women who wished there was a gun on there to circle.

I think her trim is showing…

In other words: Take a damn bath, bitch!

…Show him the divorce papers.

Mornidine (brand of Pipamazine) was introduced in 1959 as a morning sickness drug. It was ultimately withdrawn from the market for causing hepatic lesions in patients. But heck… as long as it gets her back in the kitchen!

Love’s Baby Soft? I think this print ad would better for Thailand Tourism! CREEPY!

There’s a man-size feeling of power in smoking a cigar… It’s called overcompensation.

Yes, a big pair of hooters should always be at a man’s convenience. But that surely can’t be HIS wife.

“Honey, I don’t need to eat. I’ll just get hammered and tell you how worthless you are!”

Talk about your projections equipment. In the late 50’s – early 60’s, Sabrina was the U.K.’s answer to Jayne Mansfield. Sabrina was best known for her gigantic headlights, 17-inch waist, and 36-inch hips. She was also known for her bad acting in movies and commercials.

Golly, if only more women thrived on cooking, cleaning, and dusting, there’d be no divorces.

You have to love the copy: “Though she was a Tiger lady, our hero didn’t have to fire a shot to floor her. After one look at his Mr. Leggs slacks, she was ready to have him walk all over her… If you’d like your own doll-to-doll carpeting, hunt up a pair of he-man Mr. Leggs slacks.”