8 ’70s Back-to-School Ads That Were Weird

Gas up the boxy yellow buses. Stock up on sandwich bags. Sharpen those pencils. It’s that time of year again. Going back to school has always been a ritual for American kids. No matter the decade, children feel the same mix of nerves, dread, and excitement when August rolls around. But the changes in clothing, technology, food, transportation, and music through the years are striking. Let’s explore some peculiar back-to-school ads from the 1970s that would never appear today.

1. Family Matching Outfits

The ad shows a family wearing matching red jackets. Even Tonight Show announcer Hugh Downs would agree: the family that dresses together stays together. Today, it’s much less common for children to dress like their parents. Back then, it was all about family unity, even in style. Those matching outfits sure are a blast from the past, showing just how much fashion norms have changed over the decades.

2. Polished to Perfection

Shined shoes were a big deal. Hopefully, at school, your children learned the difference between Shinola and… well, you know. Attention to detail mattered, and well-shined shoes were a must. In today’s casual world, it’s rare to see kids caring so much about having perfectly polished footwear. But back in the 70s, a neat appearance often started from the ground up.

3. Pat Boone Fashion

Back then, kids wore shirts and ties to school, inspired by icons like Pat Boone. It was hard to find such sharply dressed doctors or lawyers even today, as most businesses and classrooms have gone casual. These days, students might just roll out of bed and head to class in pajamas. The shift towards comfort over style is evident when you see these old ads trying to sell such formal attire for kids.

4. Energy from Sugar

Ads in the ’70s exclaimed that sugar gave you the energy to do the Twist. Yes, Sugar™ brand sugar! It’s a far cry from today’s focus on healthy eating. Imagine promoting sugar as a health benefit now. It’s a clear sign of changing times and our improved understanding of nutrition. Kids were encouraged to consume sugar with the idea that it provided a needed boost, something you’d never hear today.

5. Slimming Products for Kids

Talk about mixed messages. One moment, kids were encouraged to eat sugar, and the next, to join the “Slim Set.” It was a confusing time for health messages. The idea of pushing diet pills to school-aged kids is shocking now. Modern ads focus more on balanced eating and an active lifestyle instead of quick fixes.

6. Celebrities on School Supplies

It was hard to focus on the chalkboard with dreamy idols like Donny Osmond and David Cassidy on your desk. These teen heartthrobs graced school supplies, distracting many students. These days, celebrity-inspired school supplies are still popular, but they feature different faces and styles. It’s a fun way to see how pop culture influences different generations.

7. Miniature Adult Styles

In the ’70s, it wasn’t uncommon to see kids in miniature versions of adult clothing. Tiny bell-bottoms and plaid suits were all the rage. The boy on the left in the ad clearly wasn’t a fan. Today, kid fashion is more relaxed, often prioritizing comfort and practicality over imitating adult styles. It’s fascinating to see how differently we approach children’s fashion now compared to the past.

8. Bowties and Bikes

Riding your bike to school in the ’70s meant having a Roadmaster bike, as heavy as a car. The ad showed boys in bowties, combining formal wear with casual transport. Riding bikes is still a beloved childhood activity, but today’s bikes are much lighter and safer. The idea of kids biking to school in bowties seems quite odd now, illustrating how much both fashion and safety standards have evolved.