The Reality Behind Mad Men's Vintage Jantzen Swimsuit Ads

By Tracie Egan Morrissey  |  July 28, 2010 | 3:00pm
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On Sunday’s Mad Men, Jantzen was portrayed as a prudish company that was “too scared of the skin [its] two-piece was designed to show off.” But real ads from the company reveal that its attitude differed when targeting male customers.

When selling cabana clothing, Jantzen featured a pasties-clad mermaid and promised “action.” However, when selling its two-pieces to women, there was much more of a “family” feel, presenting a married woman walking on water with her husband while her baby was left unattended next to the deep end of the pool.

Childcare issues aside, the visuals are much more appropriate for a lady’s delicate sensibilities, no?

Vintage ads: Jantzen swimsuits [Found in Mom’s Basement]

 
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