Kays Clothing Catalogues - Searchable archive from 1920s onwards

[Two Types]

This might be of interest:

World of Kays

It is a fully searchable archive of scans from the Kays clothing catalogues, a UK based mail-order firm.

As an introduction, I've selected a number of images showing the various categories:

Suits, 1929:

Wedding Dress, 1930:

Nightwear & Hosiery, 1933 (including a shade of stockings called 'Dago'):

Skirts, 1940:

Skirts & trousers, 1943:

Aprons & Dungarees, 1947:

Underwear 1947:

Swimwear, 1950:

Sport & Leisure, 1953:

Suits, 1953:

Have fun raiding the archives for inspiration.

 

[Two Types]

And a few more:

Hats 1920:

Blazers 1930:

Dresses 1931:

Knitwear & Blouses 1931:

Coats 1937:

Gloves 1939:

Shoes 1940:

 

[St. Louis]

Wow, what a treasure trove of images and information! This is fantastically useful. It's particularly interesting to compare these images with my Sears catalogues published in the same years. Is there a way to compare prices? I.e., roughly how much would a 7/6 skirt cost today, and how would it compare to US dollars?

Thanks so much for posting this link.

 

[Two Types]

I'm sure that if you search online you'll find a historic currency converter.

 

[SecondhandRose]

Gosh, if I could only order these now...

 

[LizzieMaine]

Wow, what a treasure trove of images and information! This is fantastically useful. It's particularly interesting to compare these images with my Sears catalogues published in the same years. Is there a way to compare prices? I.e., roughly how much would a 7/6 skirt cost today, and how would it compare to US dollars?

Thanks so much for posting this link.

In the Era five shillings were roughly equivalent to one dollar, so 7/6 would be about $1.50 in 1930s American money.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Ah the madness of pre-decimal British currency. All those different bases!

Love the Kay's catalogues.

 

[HadleyH]

Beautiful!!! Thank you Two Types! :eusa_clap

 

[Two Types]

Glad to be of assistance.