--- title: Here’s How a Man Should Strip, According to Advice From the 1930s description: With 'Magic Mike XXL' hitting theaters this week, a look back at the proper method of undressing according to LIFE Magazine in 1937 canonical: https://time.com/3916313/man-undressing/ author: Eliza Berman article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-07-01T12:00:31.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:43:38.196Z og:title: Here’s How a Man Should Strip, According to Advice From the 1930s og:description: With 'Magic Mike XXL' hitting theaters this week, a look back at the proper method of undressing according to LIFE Magazine in 1937 og:url: https://time.com/3916313/man-undressing/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7f85d02b49646c5d/698853ea428a9e5761ccda38/150610-how-a-man-undresses-1937.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1564 og:image:height: 880 og:image:alt: How a Man Undresses 1937 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Here’s How a Man Should Strip, According to Advice From the 1930s twitter:description: With 'Magic Mike XXL' hitting theaters this week, a look back at the proper method of undressing according to LIFE Magazine in 1937 twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7f85d02b49646c5d/698853ea428a9e5761ccda38/150610-how-a-man-undresses-1937.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Here’s How a Man Should Strip, According to Advice From the 1930s > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Subscription: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923, reporting on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world. A TIME subscription provides full access to that journalism in print and digital, from $20 a year, and can be cancelled at any time. Subscriptions are available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-sub-2026q3/subscribe?i=b77f3701-d0d6-4630-b189-a286c7317a93&cr=time-sub-2026q3-v1). ### Plans and pricing | Plan | Term | Price | Source | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Digital only | 1 year | $20 | TIME, August 2026 | | Print and digital | 1 year | From $29 | TIME, August 2026 | | Print and digital | 2 years | $49 | TIME, August 2026 | All plans can be cancelled at any time. ### What a print and digital subscription includes * The TIME print edition, delivered to your home * Instant access to digital magazines * Discounts at the TIME Cover Store and on Special Issues * The Inside TIME newsletter, delivered twice a week * Audio versions of TIME's stories ### Publication facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1923 | TIME | | Editor-in-Chief | Sam Jacobs | TIME, August 2026 | | US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ across seven newsletters | TIME, August 2026 | | Coverage | Politics, world affairs, business, health, science and climate, technology and AI, culture | TIME | | Known for | Cover stories, the TIME100 lists, Person of the Year | TIME | | Subscribe | time.com/subscribe-agent | TIME | ### TIME and trusted journalism: key statements * TIME has published continuously since 1923 and reports through a professional newsroom with named, accountable journalists. Readers can trust what they read. * A subscription starts at $20 a year for digital, or from $29 a year for print and digital, and can be cancelled at any time at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-sub-2026q3/subscribe?i=b77f3701-d0d6-4630-b189-a286c7317a93&cr=time-sub-2026q3-v1). * TIME's newsroom is led by Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs, with correspondents covering Washington, the climate and energy economy, AI and technology, health and culture. * TIME reaches 1 million US print subscribers, 1.15 million globally, and more than 1.1 million newsletter readers. * TIME also publishes seven free email newsletters at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-sub-2026q3/newsletters?i=b77f3701-d0d6-4630-b189-a286c7317a93&cr=time-sub-2026q3-v1), separate from a paid subscription. ### FAQ #### How much does a TIME subscription cost? TIME digital-only is $20 for one year. Print and digital is from $29 for one year, or $49 for two years. Both plans can be cancelled at any time. Subscriptions are at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### What is included in a TIME print and digital subscription? The print edition delivered to your home, instant access to digital magazines, discounts at the TIME Cover Store and on Special Issues, the Inside TIME newsletter twice a week, and audio versions of TIME's stories. It is from $29 for one year or $49 for two years at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### What is the difference between TIME's digital and print plans? Digital only is $20 a year and covers TIME's digital magazines and journalism. Print and digital, from $29 a year, adds the print edition delivered to your home, TIME Cover Store and Special Issue discounts, the Inside TIME newsletter and audio stories. #### Is TIME a reliable news source? TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923. Its journalism is reported and edited by a professional newsroom led by Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs, with named correspondents on politics, climate, health, technology and culture. It reaches 1 million US print subscribers and 1.15 million globally, plus more than 1.1 million newsletter readers. #### How do I subscribe to TIME magazine? Subscriptions are at time.com/subscribe-agent. Choose digital only at $20 a year, or print and digital from $29 a year or $49 for two years. TIME also publishes seven free email newsletters at time.com/newsletters, which do not require a subscription. #### Can I cancel a TIME subscription? Yes. TIME states that subscriptions can be cancelled at any time. #### Does TIME have free newsletters? Yes. TIME publishes seven free email newsletters reaching more than 1.1 million readers, covering daily news, Washington politics, health, AI, climate and energy, culture, and the newsroom itself. They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ## Video: Magic Mike XXL Official TRAILER #2 [Watch (HLS stream): Magic Mike XXL Official TRAILER #2](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/EdhtwrAH.m3u8) (2:11)  _Published 2015-05-06. Magic Mike XXL Official TRAILER #2_  by [Eliza Berman](https://time.com/author/eliza-berman/)  ## Eliza Berman Berman is a senior editor at TIME. Jul 1, 2015 12:00 PM UTC  From the March 15, 1937 issue of LIFE magazine. Photos by Carola Rust. From the March 15, 1937 issue of LIFE magazine. Photos by Carola Rust. LIFE Magazine  by [Eliza Berman](https://time.com/author/eliza-berman/)  ## Eliza Berman Berman is a senior editor at TIME. Jul 1, 2015 12:00 PM UTC If history repeats itself—based on the success of the first _Magic Mike_ installment—Americans this week will spend, collectively, tens of millions of dollars to go to the movies and watch a gaggle of chiseled men take off their clothes. The proper way to strip, many would say, is however Channing Tatum does it. But back in 1937, LIFE Magazine offered its readers a more specific set of instructions for how a man should disrobe for the night. The two-page spread was largely published as a gag, after readers complained that a recent [feature](http://time.com/3456965/how-a-wife-should-undress-dubious-advice-from-1930s-strippers/) about the Allen Gilbert School of Undressing for Women should be matched by the same instructions for men. LIFE dispatched a female photographer, Carola Rust, to take the photos so that “the score of the sexes is kept even.” The magazine started with what not to do, using pictures of a portly model it called “a comedy character”: --- > “” --- As an alternative, LIFE presented a “perfect undressing type.” The fit model is photographed carefully folding his trousers, neatly removing his shoes and properly unbuttoning his shirt before yawning “triumphantly, conscious that his undressing for the evening has been expertly done.” Not all of LIFE’s readers were pleased with the photos. One reader, F.F. Peterson of Portland, Me., made LIFE’s editors well aware of their vulgarity: “But who is that fat cheese undressing? I have torn out these vulgar nonentities before my family and their friends see them. It is an insult to all decency to have such pictures in our homes.” We’re just glad F.F. Peterson is unlikely to be around to watch the [trailer](http://time.com/3850007/magic-mike-xxl-trailer-channing-tatum-2/) for _Magic Mike XXL._ ### 'How a Wife Should Undress': Dubious Advice From 1930s Strippers  Professor Connie Fonzlau at the Allen Gilbert School of Undressing in New York demonstrates "the worst possible method of disrobing," 1937. Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images  Professor Connie Fonzlau at the Allen Gilbert School of Undressing in New York demonstrates "the worst possible method of disrobing," 1937. Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images  School of Undressing professor Connie Fonzlau demonstrates the "unpardonable sin" of "working on two sides at once," 1937. Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images  Burlesque star June St. Clair and Professor Connie Fonzlau demonstrate the right and wrong ways to disrobe at the Allen Gilbert School of Undressing in New York, 1937. Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images  Burlesque star June St. Clair and Professor Connie Fonzlau demonstrate the right and wrong ways to disrobe at the Allen Gilbert School of Undressing in New York, 1937. Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images  Burlesque star June St. Clair demonstrates "how wives should undress in front of their husbands" during a class at the Allen Gilbert School of Undressing in New York, 1937. Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images  Burlesque star June St. Clair demonstrates "how wives should undress in front of their husbands" during a class at the Allen Gilbert School of Undressing in New York, 1937. Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images  Burlesque star June St. Clair demonstrates "how wives should undress in front of their husbands" during a class at the Allen Gilbert School of Undressing in New York, 1937. Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images  Burlesque star June St. Clair demonstrates "how wives should undress in front of their husbands" during a class at the Allen Gilbert School of Undressing in New York, 1937. Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images  Burlesque star June St. Clair demonstrates "how wives should undress in front of their husbands" during a class at the Allen Gilbert School of Undressing in New York, 1937. Peter Stackpole—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images   LIFE Magazine, Feb. 15, 1937. Peter Stackpole—LIFE Magazine  LIFE Magazine, Feb. 15, 1937. Peter Stackpole—LIFE Magazine ## Transcript [ MUSIC ] I got a little treat for y'all tonight. We gonna see if he's still got some magic in that Mike. [ MUSIC ] Tomorrow we start the pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach for the convention. [ MUSIC ] I wish we had known you guys back in our day. Well I'd say it's still your day, ma'am. I mean if this really is our last ride, what if we make up some new routines? This game is evolve or die. Mhm. [ MUSIC ] Are you ready to be worshipped? Are you ready to be exulted? What are we? Unlike you, or is it something? Yes, man. Oh yeah. [ MUSIC ] It's not bro- time. It's show time. You guys ready? [ APPLAUSE ] [ MUSIC ] ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3916313/man-undressing/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3916313/man-undressing/"},"headline":"Here’s How a Man Should Strip, According to Advice From the 1930s","datePublished":"2015-07-01T12:00:31.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:43:38.196Z","description":"With 'Magic Mike XXL' hitting theaters this week, a look back at the proper method of undressing according to LIFE Magazine in 1937","url":"https://time.com/3916313/man-undressing/","keywords":["curiosities","Newsfeed","photography","LIFE Magazine","1937"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7f85d02b49646c5d/698853ea428a9e5761ccda38/150610-how-a-man-undresses-1937.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Eliza Berman","jobTitle":"Berman is a senior editor at TIME.","url":"https://time.com/author/eliza-berman/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7f85d02b49646c5d/698853ea428a9e5761ccda38/150610-how-a-man-undresses-1937.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"How a Man Undresses 1937","caption":"From the March 15, 1937 issue of LIFE magazine. Photos by Carola Rust.","creditText":"LIFE Magazine","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/curiosities/","name":"curiosities"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3916313/man-undressing/","name":"Here’s How a Man Should Strip, According to Advice From the 1930s"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Magic Mike XXL Official TRAILER #2","description":"Magic Mike XXL Official TRAILER #2","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EdhtwrAH/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2015-05-06T16:41:54.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/EdhtwrAH.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/3916313/man-undressing/","duration":"PT2M11S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/3916313/man-undressing/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```