Here’s What a Bachelorette Looked Like in 1950

1 minute read

If you were to take a time traveler from 1950 and plop her down in front of Monday night’s premiere of the 11th season of The Bachelorette, she’d likely notice a few key differences between the contestants’ lives and those of unmarried women in her day. The dresses are a little more risqué, the sexuality more overt and the plastic surgery comparatively rampant.

When LIFE featured a bachelorette in 1950 — or rather, a “bachelor girl,” as the term bachelorette hadn’t yet taken off — the story’s subject, 21-year-old Peggy Cross, unlike The Bachelorette’s bachelorette, had already found her betrothed. Until their wedding day, of course, she would formally remain a bachelorette, but she was busy making preparations.

By all appearances, these preparations did not include a bungee jumping expedition or a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, but something altogether more practical: an accounting of all the accoutrements of housewifery.

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizabethRonk.

Bride's four showers. With this practical haul Peggy Cross is set to keep house.
Caption from LIFE. Bride's four showers. With this practical haul Peggy Cross is set to keep house.Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Cleaning mitt that looks like strange tribal headdress was the first gift Peggy opened at her cleaning shower. Friends competed with fancy wrappings.
Caption from LIFE. Cleaning mitt that looks like strange tribal headdress was the first gift Peggy opened at her cleaning shower. Friends competed with fancy wrappings.Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Peggy wearing one of her gifts.
Peggy wearing one of her gifts.Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Peggy testing out her new vacuum cleaner.
Peggy testing out her new vacuum cleaner.Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Headshot of the bride-to-be.
Headshot of the bride-to-be.Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Peggy trying on clothes from one of her showers.
Peggy trying on clothes from one of her showers.Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Shower guests signing a book.
Shower guests signing a book.Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Peggy and Fiance Steve, brining home all but the bacon from the kitchen shower, need only an apartment and groceries to set up housekeeping.
Caption from LIFE. Peggy and Fiance Steve, bringing home all but the bacon from the kitchen shower, need only an apartment and groceries to set up housekeeping.Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com