Search

They had “pretty ankle contests” in the 1900s

The earliest recording of a “pretty ankle contest” was in the early 1900s but it was from the 30s to 50s that ankle competitions hit their stride. Contestants would be concealed behind a curtain with only their ankle proffered for evaluation. The concealment was to encourage all women to enter, as one newspaper advised in 1927: “Older ladies need not feel timid about entering the contest. They have as much chance as their daughters.” These shows often served as a way to promote hosiery companies with winners receiving free stocking, not to mention the crown of “prettiest ankle”. Looking back at the photos, it seems like the contests were serious business. As one commentator wrote in the Bunbury Herald and Blackwood Express in December 1926: “There is something captivating about pretty ankles, and it was only natural that some bright mind must think up a competition for them.” Images: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

13 of the greatest period costumes in film and television

Film and TV costumes can transform us into different periods of time in history and make us believe in the authenticity of the characters. Shows and movies that are set between the 1800s-1920s would not be the same if the costume department didn’t creatively display the decadence, lifestyle and struggles of the era they are set in. Here are 13 titles that creatively revealed another time in history through the costumes. What is your favourite costume from these titles? Let us know in the comments below. 1. Victoria, 2016 2. Pride and Prejudice, 2005 3. Marie Antoinette, 2006 4. Elizabeth: The Golden Age, 2007 5. Downton Abbey, 2010 6. The Young Victoria, 2009 7. A Little Chaos, 2014 8. Anna Karenina, 2012 9. Belle, 2013 10. Jackie, 2016 11. Jane Eyre, 2011 12. Les Misérables, 2012 13. Wuthering Heights, 2011 Related Links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2017/02/elizabeth-taylor-best-movie-outfits/">13 of Elizabeth Taylor’s most memorable movie looks</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2017/02/co-stars-whose-romance-continued-off-screen/">Co-stars whose movie romance continued off-screen</a> <a href="/%20%20http:/www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2017/02/resurfaced-portraits-of-celebrities-from-70s-and-80s/">Stunning resurfaced black and white portraits of actors from the 70s and 80s</a>

Movies

A look at baby names since 1900s

As Shakespeare’s famous quote goes, “What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” While that may be the case, it seems there’s a lot in a name if data on baby names from the NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages in Australia is anything to go by. The endangered According to data on baby names since the 1900s, the once popular names of John, Robert, Mary and Susan have rapidly declined in the new millennium. Once upon a time, John was the most common name for a boy. On average a whopping 3,083 Johns were born every year in the 1940s, but by 2014 the Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious" had a dramatic fall from grace with only 107 new Johns introduced to the world. It was the same story for Robert and Peter – in one decade there were 2300-2500 babies each year bearing those names, which has since fallen to 100 in 2011. The endangered girls’ names include Margaret, Mary, Susan and Karen. While Margaret was once the most popular girl’s name of the 1940s, there’s been fewer than 20 babies named Margaret a year since 2000. There are fewer than 10 baby Susans and Karens since 2011. The resurrected But if you’re name is on the “endangered” list, don’t lose hope – as history shows, old-fashioned names can be resurrected and catapulted right back into fame. Just take the Jacks, Graces and Rubys of the world. Mid-last century their names were on the brink of extinction but have now enjoyed a soaring popularity. While common in the beginning of the century, there were fewer than 10 Jacks a year born in the 1960s and 1970s. However, it has since become the most popular boys' name from 2004-2008, and the third most popular boys' name in 2015. The name Ruby has also found a way back from extinction, climbing from a rank of 58th in 2000 to first in 2012. The popular No name can be popular forever, but these names come pretty close. For girls, Jessica has had the longest reign of any name. The most popular girls' name for 14 consecutive years, from 1984 to 1997, the Hebrew name meaning "rich" doesn’t seem to be waning any time soon. For boys, Joshua is the most enduring popular, coming in top spot for 11 years, 1992-1996 and 1998-2003. David and Michael have also held the coveted most popular baby names spot for nine years. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/most-popular-baby-name-in-world/">Most popular baby name in world revealed</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/12/life-lessons-from-grandparents/">Top 10 life lessons kids learn from grandparents</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/funny-things-grandkids-say-part-4/">The funniest things grandkids kids say</a>

Family & Pets

More great vintage household tricks from the 1900s

Used to describe a clever solutions to tricky problems, the term “hack” has become popular recently. But while there may be a new term on the block, we’ve always loved clever tricks and tips especially around the house. In 1910, Gallaher's Cigarettes began slipping cards of home hacks into their boxes. Why would a cigarette company do that? Well, the extra cardboard made the boxes more durable. Although the brand of cigarette has disappeared, the tips and tricks have been preserved in a digital archive by New York Library. Take a look about some of the clever tips from a century ago that are still as relevant today as they were all those years ago. 1. A hint when boiling potatoes <img width="451" height="760" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11595/1.jpg" alt="1 (117)"/> “To make potatoes dry and floury when cooked, add to water when boiling them a pinch of sugar as well as salt. When potatoes are done, water should be poured away and saucepan replaced over the fire for a short time, shaking the saucepan occasionally to ensure equal dryness of potatoes.” 2. How to cut new bread into thin slices <img width="496" height="295" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11596/2_496x295.jpg" alt="2 (122)"/> “The difficulty of cutting new bread into thin slices can readily be overcome by the following expedient. Plunge the bread knife into hot water and when thoroughly hot wipe quickly. It will be found that the heated knife will cut soft, yielding new bread into the thinnest slices.” 3. How to clean new boots <img width="500" height="303" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11597/3_500x303.jpg" alt="3 (117)"/> “New boots are sometimes very difficult to polish. A successful method is to rub the boots over with half a lemon, allow them to dry, after which they will easily polish, although occasionally it may be found necessary to repeat the application of the lemon juice.” 4. Remove ink stains on a handkerchief <img width="448" height="760" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11598/4.jpeg" alt="4 (110)"/> “A fine linen handkerchief which has had the misfortune to become stained with ink can be restored to its original spotlessness. When the accident occurs, the handkerchief should at once be plunged into milk. After soaking for some time, it will be found that the ink stains have disappeared.” 5. How to adjust a door <img width="464" height="760" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11599/5.jpg" alt="5 (102)"/> “The annoyance of a door rattling in windy weather can be done away with by gluing pieces of cork, A.A., in crack between door and bending of doorway. The corks must be slightly thicker than the crack, and door should be shut on them until glue sets. The elasticity of cork holds door and effectually stops rattling noise.” 6. How to cool wine without ice <img width="458" height="760" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11600/6.jpg" alt="6 (100)"/> “If no ice is available for cooling wine, a good method is to wrap the bottle in flannel and place it in a crock beneath the cold water tap. Allow the water to run over it, as shown in the picture, and in about ten minutes the wine will be thoroughly cool and ready for the table.” 7. How to extract a splinter <img width="499" height="299" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11601/7_499x299.jpg" alt="7 (91)"/> “A splinter embedded in the hand is often very painful to extract. A good way to accomplish this is to fill a wide-mouthed bottle with hot water nearly to the brim, and press affected part of hand tightly against mouth of bottle. The suction will pull down the flesh, and steam will soon draw out the splinter.” 8. How to keep saucepan lids raised <img width="498" height="300" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11602/8_498x300.jpg" alt="8 (85)"/> “A useful little article for keeping the lid of a saucepan raised can be made out of an ordinary clothes peg. Drive a tack into the top part of the peg and then fix the peg over the edge of the saucepan as if it were the clothes-lines. The lid rests on the tack and is thus kept open.” Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/10/household-tricks-from-1900s/">Vintage household tricks from the 1900s</a> <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/11/clever-ways-to-use-adhesive-hooks-at-home/">14 clever ways to use adhesive hooks in the home</a> <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/11/household-products-never-to-buy/">8 household products you should never buy</a>

Home & Garden

Vintage household tricks from the 1900s

Used to describe a clever solutions to tricky problems, the term “hack” has become popular recently. But while there may be a new term on the block, we’ve always loved clever tricks and tips especially around the house. In 1910, Gallaher's Cigarettes began slipping cards of home hacks into their boxes. Why would a cigarette company do that? Well, the extra cardboard made the boxes more durable. Although the brand of cigarette has disappeared, the tips and tricks have been preserved in a digital archive by New York Library. Take a look about some of the clever tips from a century ago that are still as relevant today as they were all those years ago. 1. Boil an egg <img width="500" height="299" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10502/how-to-boil-an-egg_500x299.jpg" alt="How To Boil An Egg"/> “To boil cracked eggs as satisfactorily as though they were undamaged, a little vinegar should be added to the water. If this is done, it will be found that none of the contents will boil out.” 2. Cleaning straw hats <img width="500" height="299" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10504/cleaning-straw-hats_500x299.jpg" alt="Cleaning Straw Hats"/> “The hat should be well-brushed to remove any loose dust, and then rubbed with half a lemon. This will clean the straw in a surprising fashion. Finish off with a glaze of clean gum carefully brushed all over, and your hat will look like a new one.” 3. Carry a heavy jug <img width="499" height="299" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10505/carry-a-heavy-jug_499x299.jpg" alt="Carry A Heavy Jug"/> “The picture gives a useful hint on carrying a heavy jug. The correct way to hold the jug is shown in the right-handed sketch. This prevents the weight from pulling the jug down and spilling what it contains, as is likely to happen if carried the other way.” 4. Freshen cut flowers <img width="458" height="760" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10506/freshen-cut-flowers.jpg" alt="Freshen Cut Flowers"/> “To revive choice blooms that have faded during transit, plunge the stems into hot water, and allow them to remain until the water has cooled. By that time, the flowers will have revived. The ends of the stems should then be cut off and the blossoms placed in cold water in the usual way.” 5. Preserve vases <img width="450" height="760" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10507/preserve-vases.jpg" alt="Preserve Vases"/> “If the following precaution is taken, the danger of knocking over a valuable vase will not be so great. Partly fill the vase with sand, which, acting as a weight, keeps it upright and firm on its base. This idea is particularly useful in the case of vases which are inclined to be top heavy, owing to their having small bases.” 6. Stop colours from running <img width="499" height="299" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10508/stop-colours-from-running_499x299.jpg" alt="Stop Colours From Running"/> “To prevent colours in household linen from running and staining other linen when washed together, coloured things should first be steeped in a solution of salt water. A double handful of salt to a gallon of water is a good proportion, and coloured things should be left to soak in this for about twenty-four hours.” 7. Clean the interior of bottles <img width="496" height="295" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10509/clean-interior-of-bottles_496x295.jpg" alt="CLean Interior Of Bottles"/> “To clean the interior of bottles, a little sand and water should be well shaken about inside them. This will have the effect of cleansing every part, and the bottles can then be washed out and dried.” 8. Pick up broken glass <img width="500" height="300" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10510/how-to-pick-up-broken-glass_500x300.jpg" alt="How To Pick Up Broken Glass"/> “To pick up broken glass quickly and cleanly a soft damp cloth will be found to be most effective, for it takes up all the small splinters. The best plan is to use an old piece of rag that can be thrown away with the glass.” <a href="http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/collections/cigarette-cards#/?tab=navigation&roots=1075:28341820-c56d-012f-64ff-58d385a7bc34">To find more tips visit the New York Public Library digital collections here.</a>

Home & Garden

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property