THE year is 1959 and families were enjoying more choice in the shops after the austerity following the war years.

Newspaper advertisements and columns offered a range of goods to appeal to the fashion conscious and house proud.

Among the items and latest ideas arriving in the shops were:

reversible, ready-made cretonne covers for the divan, priced from £2 19s 6d;

ready-made, plastic curtains at £1 19s 11d a pair;

long-handled dustpans as used in cafes to save housewives' backs and available in plastic or metal;

brushed nylon nighties to keep snug in winter, for £1 19s 6d -- and cuddle skirts;

lined snow bootees with an elasticated wool spats, priced at £3 5s 9d.

For the children -- banking sets, with doll sized, paying in books and cheque books -- 'because it's never too early to start them on the rocky road of making ends meet'.

For the boy who wanted to be a spaceman, new into the stores were moon rockets and missile guns and for the girls who wanted to play at mothers, there were sweepers and spin dryers, as well as rub-a-dub-tubs.

Latest accessories for the over 20s in November '59 were slinky, satin evening gloves complete with matching bag.

Said fashion experts of the time: "The winter season usually finds us all with loads of invitations to dances where we must look our best.

"Why not give yourself a treat by adding sophistication to the charm of your party dress by wearing black accessories?

"The gloves are washable and quick drying and really quite inexpensive at 18s 9d a pair. The bag, which will hold cigarettes, lipstick, compact and comb confortably, also has a dainty handle that will solve the problem of 'where to put it' when dancing. It's priced at £1 4s."

There were also some timely words of advice for the fashion conscious male. Tie designer Paul Salgo offered guidance on buying ties -- which he described as the 'most intensely romantic, most individual' of a man's dress.

Definitely OUT that year, however, were ties with shapely ladies on them, 'clothed only in a dazzling smile'.