If you thought Playgirl was ‘just’ a nudie mag, think again: “Fashion and Beauty Guides” were popular inserts in the early years of the glossy. Oftentimes with gorgeous spreads, like the November ‘76 “Guide” featured here. In the late ‘80s, Playgirl began publishing fashion catalogs, rivaling any other mail order catalog. At that time, it also launched a “dazzling denim collection” bearing the Playgirl logo on top of red lips. Not very original, but certainly less controversial than the cheetah icon, which had graced Playgirl’s jeanswear and merchandise before. “The cheetah is wild,” stated those old ads. “Yet the most loyal of her kind, responsible and independent. Like today’s women, the cheetah shares equal footing with her mate, yet maintaining her individuality. She’s nobody’s pet.” It sounded great back then. Too bad the cheetah now reminds us of the cougar –with its predatory connotations. Or of the Puma brand.
In between the “Guides” and the “Catalogues” Playgirl advertised branded t-shirts, often with catchy tag lines (“Caution Playgirl Reader;” “Playgirl Centerfold Inspector;” “Playgirl State;” “Man of the Year”…) And then sweatshirts, nightshirts, teddies, baseball caps, headbands, swimsuits, eyewear, lingerie, leggins… you name it. All on brand, all consistent with Playgirl’s mission of empowerment: “You’re a new breed of lady –confident, up-front and very sexy… and you want everyone to know it,” claimed a ’79 ad for Playgirl’s line of casual wear “that lets you say who you are in a very special way.” Or this “Live the Playgirl Life!” ’87 ad: “Now you can wear Playgirl exercise fashions and use Playgirl gear to create more spice in your day-to-day life.” Through the ‘90s, the glossy kept publishing memorable fashion editorials too. Like all women’s magazines, but with a twist: you’d turn the page and enjoy a hunk or two, baring it all!
