Want to be a retro housewife? These are the things you must-have. Most items are perfect for every kind of homemaker.
As much as I love blogging and freelance writing, being a housewife is my biggest passion. I know not everyone would enjoy it but I love it. It’s like playing house all day, only I wish there were fewer dishes, I hate washing dishes!
While it is a great job it’s one I take seriously. My husband works extra hard for me to be able to be a housewife and follow my other passions. I want to keep the home as nice as possible. I’m not perfect, far from it lately, but I’m always trying to do better.
These are some items that I find help make being a retro housewife either easier or prettier. I want to share these items with you as they may help you as well!
Retro Housewife Must-Haves
- Cleaning rags- There are so many fancy cleaning cloths out there now and all kinds of disposable products. However, a good old t-shirt cut into rags is my favorite cleaning cloth. I have tons of them, all over the place. They are free and work wonderfully.
- Tea Towels- Tea towels are a great way to add a pretty touch to your kitchen and they are useful. I like vintage and new tea towels. I have them for different seasons and just love them. I like to use them as hand towels and to lay over the dish rack. I really like the ones from Grove Collaborative.
- Cute Flats- I love heels and wedges but for running errands flats are a must. I buy most of my flats from ModCloth. They a great selection.
- Vintage Aprons- I have four vintage aprons so far and I’m always looking for more. A cute apron just makes me happy. They are great for protecting clothes of course but also for drying your hands or carrying flowers or produce in from the garden.
- Glass Storage Containers- Glass food containers are not only nicer looking than disposable or plastic options, they are better for us and the planet. I collect vintage Pyrex but don’t use it for food storage due to lead issues. I use it for serving and other purposes that have less of a risk of causing the lead to leach. For food storage I like new Pyrex. It’s great for fridge and freezer storage and will save you money in the long run.
- Tea Set- I’ll be honest I don’t have one yet but it’s on my list of things I want. A retro housewife should be prepared to host a tea party right? The one I wanted from ModCloth is currently out of stock but hoping they bring it back!
- Good Skin Care- A retro housewife wants to stay looking young and her best. Therefore, I use Juice Beauty products for my skin because they have great ingredients and work! I also keep their Age Defy Hand Cream on my desk to use throughout the day. Housework can lead to very dry hands and who wants that?
- Water Bottle- Staying hydrated is also important while running around cleaning the house and such. I like the LifeFactory glass bottles because they are safe, beautiful, and dishwasher safe.
- Cute Cotton House Dresses- What could be more retro than wearing dresses all day? I’m a big fan of ditching yoga pants for house dresses. You look more put together but you are more put together.
- Home Management Binder- My home management binder contains everything I need to take care of my home and myself. It helps keep me on track and is essential to the running of my home.
What are some of your retro housewife must-haves? I’d love to hear about them, share in the comments below.
Sonya Lynette Miller
July 24, 2015 at 12:05 pmMelmac, Vintage Tea sets, Pyrex Bowls, Milk glass anything, and vintage cook books….
Lisa Sharp
July 27, 2015 at 11:51 amGreat list! I also collect milk glass and vintage cookbooks.
Deanna
July 24, 2015 at 12:56 pmI’ve been wanting some house dresses, too!
Lisa Sharp
July 27, 2015 at 11:52 amThey seem like the perfect, comfy cleaning attire.
Alex Guglielmo
August 20, 2015 at 1:33 pmIt sounds like we come from similar molds, Lisa! I love being a homemaker and I’m also trying to bring beautiful vintage items into our home (our living room looks like an old study/library!). ModCloth is great, and house dresses sound like something my hubby might prefer to see over yoga pants, haha! Great post!
Lisa Sharp
August 20, 2015 at 4:05 pmYour home sounds lovely. It’s funny because I wore yoga pants because they were easy and comfortable but really dresses are even more comfortable, especially in the summer. And my husband really likes it, it takes like 2 minutes more and he thinks I’ve been tons of effort into looking nice.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you stick around. 🙂
Jennifer
November 18, 2015 at 9:34 amMy Kitchen Aid stand mixer! Gotta have it! Literally use it once a week! Also, my hot rollers! Even when wearing yoga pants it’s still nice to have my hair done up a bit. Winged eyeliner and red bananas are a must too!
Carla
May 9, 2016 at 1:17 amLovely article and good suggestions.
I was a child in the 50s and 60s and have many wonderful memories of the kitchens in my friends’ homes. All of them were neat and tidy and a pleasant. Then when I married in the early 70s, I spent lots of time in my husband’s grandmother’s home, especially the kitchen. She had married about 1903 and still had her original furniture. So, to me a desirable kitchen is heavily influenced by all of them.
Cleaning rags: I totally agree. I keep a bag of them hanging near the sink. Tea towels: I have a basket with several, but had never thought of changing them seasonally. In the past, I’ve embroidered some, and think I’ll use your idea and make more for each season, and maybe a few for Christmas, etc. Vintage aprons: I have a few, and really like them. Glass storage containers: I bought my Anchor Hocking (made in the U.S.A. at Wal-Mart. They’re clear, come in several sizes and can also be used for baking. Tea set: very nice thing to have. Vintage Cookbooks: I love and use them, but have had to stop collecting because I ran out of shelf space. Gallon glass jars for canisters. Food storage in glass jars (labels removed). My red work embroidered valances. 1940s sugar bowl for tea bag storage.
Lisa Sharp
May 10, 2016 at 9:30 amThanks for sharing! Sounds like we have similar tastes. I have some Anchor Hocking as well.
Carla
May 9, 2016 at 1:21 amOh, I forgot to tell you, I grew up in MIngo, on the outskirts of Tulsa. My mother always wore cotton house-dresses, which she always ironed after they hung on the clothesline. After we moved to Texas and our sons were small, I decided that dresses were much more comfortable and cooler to wear than shorts or pants. My sainted mother sewed several for me.
Lisa Sharp
May 10, 2016 at 9:30 amVery cool, I know where that is. I love house dresses and you are right they are much cooler.
Amanda
May 20, 2018 at 4:07 pmMaxi skirts and graphic tees are my favorite right now. Then I have floral aprons from wish that I bought for $3. My husband called him miss Suzie homemaker yesterday and I told him not to get too used to it. ( I work 40 hours a week).
Lisa Sharp
May 20, 2018 at 7:36 pmhaha, whatever you feel up to and have time for. 🙂