Times Square and Central Park attract tourists to New York City in droves, but what were the most exciting sights back in the 1900s? Well, steak houses, famous dance halls and of course the theatre district! Thanks to our find of a 1919-ish program from Cranin's 46th Street Theatre, we're exploring back in the day versus today, for NYC tourists.
Where there are women spending money and having a great time, there will be ads for cosmetics, fashion and accessories. Going even a step further, there will always be celebrity-endorsed cosmetics, fashion and accessories. As it was in the early 1900s, so will it be in the future.
Browsing through this vintage theatre program, we noted a few trends in the ads geared at tourist women. One is that the items are all considered attainable luxury (hosiery, tweed suits, etc), so presumably the clientele of this particular theatre was middle class and looking to shop til they dropped in the Big Apple. Another trend is the focus on foreign style; this is the "Paris-Inspired" appeal.
Would these ads attract the eyes of modern NYC theatre district tourists? Yes, but only for the striking graphic design and unintentional humor. Who buys jiggling belt machines for weight loss anymore? We'll tell you who—the people sitting in your very seat at the theatre some eighty years ago.
Check out more of our vintage NYC travel ads here.
[Credit: Cranin's 46th Street Theatre program]
Comments (0)
Post a CommentReturn to » New York in the 1900s: When 'Paris-Inspired' Fashion Meant Something
Join the conversation!