Do Your Friends "Feel Sorry" for You?

"No woman, from girlhood on, is free from the possibility of offending others at times. Often she is not even aware of it. When she learns, doubt and worry make light-heartedness impossible." Sad? Confused? It's probably because you're fat, skinny, hairy, smelly, haggard, flat-chested, too-busty, and ugly, ugly, ugly. I'm Amelia, and I'm recording the myriad of ways in which movie magazines of the early-to-mid twentieth century blamed women for, well, everything. Questions, comments, suggestions? [email protected]

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"How swiftly masculine eyes and hearts respond to a lovely, attractive smile!"

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"Don't let skin blemishes ruin your social and business success!"

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"Are you shunned and pitied because of repulsive-looking hickies?"

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"Any girl with a breath like yours ought to lose her customers!"

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"You're foolish if you let work, or use of water, or cold, chap and roughen your hands."

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"Chances of offending others... of being tagged as "unattractive" -- are often actually worse in winter, for then indoor living and warmer clothes make penetrating odors cling."

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"A poor complexion can cheat you of a lot of life's fun!"

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"Amazing Gains of 10 to 25 lbs. in a Few Weeks Reported by Men and Women Everywhere"

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"Be wise in business... be sure of charm!"

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"They wear you down physically and mentally. They make you look drawn and haggard, no matter how you try to conceal the suffering. They handicap your every activity in life."

[theoneneglect]

"I have changed my mind about taking Miss Lane as my secretary. I still think she's capable, but I have noticed that her breath -- well, frankly, Miss Lane should see her dentist."

[theoneneglect]

"She isn't the girl I thought she was. She could be so swell, too, if it weren't for this. Wonder why somebody doesn't tell her, or give her some Mum or something. Well, I can't be bothered."

[theoneneglect]

"She says the dress doesn't suit me. What she means is I've got too darn many pimples to wear it."

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"I'd like it lots more if I could only get in with the crowd -- but I guess a girl with pimples like mine just hasn't a chance."

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"Underarm perspiration odor is an annoyance men will not tolerate in a girl, either in the office or in social life."

[theoneneglect]

"When Nature forgets -- remember EX-LAX, The Original Chocolated Laxative"

[theoneneglect]

"How appealingly feminine... how desirable you are... when you guard your daintiness this Cashmere Bouquet way!"