Emily Flores
The 1950s were a time when social expectations significantly influenced nearly every aspect of daily life, including courtship. Popular advice told women how to act, what to carry, and even how to position themselves in public. Each suggestion sheds light on a distinct perspective on relationships and gender roles. Here are 10 husband-hunting tips that capture the curious side of that decade.
Adopt A Dog As Bait
What better way to catch someone’s eye than through a friendly pet? Advice columns of the 1950s believed dogs offered exactly that chance. Their presence made women appear approachable, and they naturally invited conversation. Instead of being seen simply as loyal companions, dogs were positioned as bait for romance.
Always Wear A Hat And Gloves
Fashion in mid-century America was woven tightly with social expectation. Hats and gloves were praised in etiquette books as essential, not optional. Women who skipped them risked being viewed as careless or unrefined. The accessories carried silent messages, which framed the wearer as feminine and worthy of admiration.
Don’t Talk Too Much
Silence became a strategy in mid-century dating scripts. Women were urged to guard their words, as excessive talking was said to drive men away. Rather, attentiveness and quiet charm were praised. This advice reinforced the cultural idea that listening was a woman’s duty, while speaking freely was discouraged.
Eat Like A Bird
Dining in the 1950s was as much about presentation as it was about food. Women were advised to eat sparingly and take only delicate bites to maintain a ladylike image. Large portions were discouraged, as appetite was linked with a lack of refinement. Food, therefore, became another tool of courtship.
Enroll In A Ski Class
Romance, according to dating advice, might wait at the foot of a snowy slope. Ski resorts were marketed as prime venues for meeting men, where even a fall could serve as an opportunity. It was encouraged for women to tumble now and then to create chances for gallant rescues.
Hang Around Bowling Alleys
Where did magazines suggest women go to find eligible bachelors? Surprisingly, not cafes or libraries, but bowling alleys. These bustling venues were praised as ideal meeting grounds, filled with men. Women were told to treat them almost like marketplaces of chance.
Don’t Be Too Smart
In mid-century dating culture, intelligence was rarely celebrated in women. Manuals suggested holding back with wit or knowledge, warning that it might intimidate men. Instead, memorized jokes and light humor were considered safer. The message was unmistakable: intellect should be hidden.
Drop A Handkerchief
Modern dating relies on apps and text messages, but the mid-century equivalent could be a handkerchief. Women were encouraged to “accidentally” drop one to create an instant opportunity for conversation. Far from clumsy, the act was intentional. It reflected how romance often depended on subtle, orchestrated performances.
Stand On A Busy Street Corner
Advice of the era sometimes bordered on the theatrical. Women were told to linger on corners where men passed by, effectively placing themselves on display. Some even suggested wearing a Band-Aid, hoping curiosity might start a chat. What reads now as loitering was then considered tactical visibility in everyday spaces.
Become A Nurse Or Stewardess
Work in the 1950s was not viewed solely as a livelihood but, at times, as a strategy. Magazines promoted careers like nursing or becoming a stewardess as fertile ground for meeting men. Hospitals and airplanes were cast as “man-rich” spaces. Today, such career-driven matchmaking feels more curious than credible.