Vintage advertising isn’t just about selling products. It’s a nostalgic journey through history, culture, and creativity.
At Fabulously Funky, we celebrate vintage ads by featuring them on our clothing and accessories. You can be wearing a piece of history and something meaningful everytime you put on one of our t-shirts, hoodies, carry a tote bag, or drink a beverage from one of our mugs.
Now let’s have a look at some of the most iconic vintage ads from early in the 20th century through to the 1960’s, and the stories behind them.
1. The “I Want You” Uncle Sam Poster (1917) 
We all know the Uncle Sam poster where he points directly at the viewer. It has became one of the most recognizable images of all time. It was originally created for WWI, however it was also used in WWII.
It became so iconic because it symbolised ‘Patriotism’.
2. Coca Cola’s Santa Claus (1931) 
We know Coca-Cola didn’t invent Santa Claus, but they used Santa in their early ads and this has had an influence on Santa today. Haddon Sundblom created the jolly, red-suited Santa we know today for Coca-Cola’s holiday ads which started back in 1931. These ads, featuring a cheerful Santa enjoying a Coke boosted sales and became a beloved holiday tradition.
it was Iconic because the campaign’s warm and festive imagery became synonymous with the joy of Christmas. The ads ran for many years establishing Coca-Cola’s brand.
3. Kellogg’s “Snap, Crackle, Pop!” (1932) 
Kellog’s Rice Krispies used Snap, Crackle, and Pop to highlight the sound when milk was added to this breakfast cereal. The ad first appeared in print in the 1930s.
The ad mascots became some of the longest-running advertising characters, maintaining Kellog’s brand recognition from the past to the present.
4. “We Can Do It!” (1943) 
Although not a traditional product advertisement, the “We Can Do It!” poster featuring “Rosie the Riveter,” was part of the WWII effort to encourage women to work in factories.
This image of Rosie became a symbol of the strength and endurance of women, resonating far beyond the 1940s and continuing to inspire generations.
5. Marlboro’s “Marlboro Man” (1954) 
Marlboro originally marketed their ads targeting women, but they rebranded to appeal to men, hence the rugged outdoor cowboy figure of the ‘Marlboro Man’ emerged. The ads became part of American culture and also appealed heavily to the overseas market. Smoke ‘Marlboro’ and you are showing your masculinity and independence. Marlboro became one of the world’s best-selling cigarette brands.
6. Volkswagen’s “Think Small” (1959) 
The 1950’s was a time when the thinking was that ‘bigger meant better’, so Volkswagen’s bucked the trend by launching their “Think Small” campaign for the Beetle. The campaign was created by Doyle Dane Bernbach, and used minimalist design and catchy writing with a touch of humour. Thus Volkswagen managed to ‘selll’ the benefits of buying a small car in a time when advertising was all about ‘bigger is better.’ Wolkswagen focused on honesty and simplicity in their ads and this resonated with the market.
It also marked the beginning of the “creative revolution” in advertising during the 1960s.
7. Alka-Seltzer’s “I Can’t Believe I Ate The Whole Thing” (1969) 
This is a funny ad with a man sitting on his bed asking himself why he had over eaten, and now he is suffering from indigestion. The solution - Take Alka-Seltzer’s antacid and feel better. ‘I can’t beleive I ate the whole thing’ quickly became a catchphrase. It became so successfu because people could relate to this everyday experience.
At Fabulously Funky we love the character and charm of old style vintage advertising, so we proudly feature classic ads on our clothing and accessories. If you love the idea of wearing a piece of history, our collection links your everyday style to the past.
Check out our ldesigns and find the perfect piece that suits you and shows your love for vintage ads.
Vintage ads are more than just marketing. They tell the stories of their time. As you browse our collection you can see the creativity, history, and stories behind each design.
Keep checking out our blog for more looks into vintage ads from the past.