My J.C. Penney’s copy of the January 1939 McCall Style News has this fantastic comic strip advertising J.C. Penney’s fabric department (click to magnify):
Four lessons I learned from this comic strip-advertisement:
- Hapless blondes need the help of sensible brunettes;
- Romantic/sexual/social conquests can be made through the power of sewing;
- Home sewing leads to female homosocial harmony and shopping outings; and
- Home sewing means money for new shoes!
A high resolution PDF copy of the January 1939 McCall Style News is now available in the shop:
PatternVault 
I love that comic strip.. and your 4 lessons. Was wondering which hair colour I should be next… hapless or sensible?
http://www.noaslibellule.blogspot.com
Thanks! Before committing to a hair colour, you could try a streak or two first..
Love the four lessons! Where did you get this comic strip?
Thanks! The comic is on the back of a McCall’s advertising booklet in my collection, originally given out to J.C. Penney’s customers. A business selling McCall’s patterns could have their booklets customized— so copies from other fabric shops have something else on the back.