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This is what the Argos catalogue used to look like...
How long have you been shopping at Argos? The retailer is celebrating its 45th birthday this year and it has certainly come a long way.
Need proof? While nowadays, phones, games consoles, smart technology and hi-tech toys are the must-have products of the moment, in the past there were some rather odd objects that caught the nation’s fancy.
As documented through old Argos catalogues, there was everything from hooded 70s hairdryers and ‘his ‘n’ hers’ matching outfits, to garments that could be used as either a dressing gown or a bedspread, highlighting just how much tastes and trends have changed over the years.
'Who wouldn’t want a jaguar snug sack that doubles up as a convenient bedspread throw? Or carpet tiles in various shades of brown and beige?,' said an Argos spokesperson. 'Since it first launched in 1973, the Argos catalogue has been a social barometer of the nation's changing tastes, habits and interests. A delve into our archive is a fascinating experience, revealing how technology, home décor, fashion trends and leisure pursuits have evolved over the years. In some cases, the findings were laugh-out-loud hilarious.'
Below, researchers from Argos delve into the archive to find the most hilarious pictures from the catalogue's history, dating all the way back to 1973, explaining why it was such a trend at the time.
Seeming to take inspiration from The Lord of the Rings’ Eye of Sauron, these rugs are sure to darken any living room, and are typical of traditional early 70s décor.
Back in 1973, you could get your hands on one of these beauties for under a tenner - bargain! 70s hairstyles not included!
If you wanted a bedspread that looked like a tablecloth, the 1974 catalogue had you covered. Some readers will still be familiar with these, with many grandparents still getting them out for overnight guests at Christmas.
From 1975, on the left you have the Automasseur Electrical Massage Machine with slip resistant foot mat – a steal at £15.95. In the centre you have the Bullworker, and to the right a Sculling Exerciser – could it make a comeback in 2019?
It’s not uncommon to see ladies with their hair half-done walking down the street, but these portable hooded hairdryers from 1975 are something else entirely.
Is it a blanket or a dress? The Luxury Princess Towelling Lounger, available in the 1978 catalogue for £19.95, came with wide sleeves and a zipper. And for true 2-in-1 functionality, look no further than the Jaguar Snug Sack from 1982, which could either be worn as a comfy gown or converted into a bedspread.
These loose-lay carpet tiles – £4.19 for a pack of nine in 1979 – were the perfect DIY flooring solution.
Throughout the 80s, the essential accessory for your portable cassette player was a backcombed barnet held up with lashings of hair spray or gel. And the real fashion-conscious threw a mullet in the mix too.
What woman wouldn’t want to wear the exact same thing as her man? Whether it was bathrobes, boot-cut jeans or warming gilets, our early catalogues had the perfect fit for every family. And as the 80s gave way to the 90s, even the kids got involved as families nationwide sported matching tracksuits. You might laugh, but these would fly off the rack at a vintage sale today!
In the early years, the men and women of the Argos catalogue weren’t afraid to get their kit off to flog bathroom essentials, solariums and shower screens.
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