This 1964 Catalog from the Now-defunct Bellas Hess Company Is Like a Wonderful Time Capsule

The company was instrumental in the court case which settled the matter of out-of-state sales tax on mail order items in 1967. But, the company was facing the same problems that many mail order companies were dealing with at the time – declining sales and poor profits. Looking back at these pages is like opening the catalog back then, just perusing the pages and enjoying the fashion.

These matching hats and gloves speak to another era entirely. Via/ Flickr

The leopard print and black sectional is so ’60s. Via/ Flickr

Via/ Flickr

Via/ Flickr

Via/ Flickr

Via/ Flickr

We had to share this page from the 1963 just because the fellas look so dapper! Via/ Flickr

If you enjoyed this then click the “Next Page” button for a look back at some of the most elegant sewing patterns from decades past!