Charmed, I’m Sure
From the minute I walked into Sears’ lowly makeshift classroom, I knew I had entered a special workshop. The grey standard issue folding chairs, the pitted wood and metal tables, and the hanging appliance wiring schematics soon became invisible. Instead I saw only our pretty instructor Mrs. Ames, dressed in fondant colors of sugary pinks. I was bewitched by her dainty white gloved hands and her intoxicating powdery scent. Her soft modulated voice and Tinkerbell laugh charmed any remnants of resentment for being there, right out of me – she was so darn fascinating. During the course, with Mrs. Ames help, our drab classroom was transformed by our imaginations into an Austenesque dance hall, a Georgian tea parlor, and at times, a sophisticated and elegant Manhattan theater district restaurant.
Mrs. Ames’ assistant was a fetchingly designed ringed binder called The Sears Make the Most of You Discovery Book. This book still exists out there and I am crushed that it eludes me – I have not been able to snag a copy. Mine was lost along with my Tressy Doll and her growing hair, my satin ballet toe shoes and other artifacts of a 60’s girlhood.
Studying our notebooks taught us manners and how to be a considerate girlfriend, should we be lucky enough to one day have a boyfriend. We learned how to sit with our legs crossed at the ankles, how to sip tea quietly, and my favorite charming illustration in the book warned us not to spend all of our date’s money; his worried study of his empty pockets being the tip-off. Mrs. Ames created mock dinner parties and balls where we practiced introductions and learned how to graciously accept a dance request. She called in a male makeup artist and a buyer from the Sears Junior Bazaar Department, and brought in her personal collection of chiffon scarves, still faintly redolent with her lovely scent. We learned how to find our best colors by draping the filmy scarves around our necks and shoulders and peering into small round drugstore mirrors with magnifying flip sides that later accompanied us home along with our notebooks.
At the end of the school’s glorious eight weeks, we graduated by hosting a fashion show and tea for our mothers. Sears generously loaned us a rainbow of pastel frocks to model and after parading across a small runway, we showed off our new skills by pouring tea and passing trays of store-bought cookies. Mrs. Ames created an indelible impression on me and any remnant of tomboy-ness was left on Sears’ dusty green checkered tile floor. My love of clothes and journey to becoming a lady was jumpstarted by The Sears Discovery Charm School. And of course, I am grateful to my mother, who knew best.
13 Comments
Ann Y.
This brings back so many memories….I also attended “Charm School” at Fowler, Dick and Walker Thie Boston Store in Wilkes Barre, PA. Same deal…little room with folding chairs, but oh, magic. We also had a binder ( no idea where that is), and a big, pink hatbox to carry it in with other things each week. A graduation tea and a diploma…which I still have in my memory box. I remember learning how to sit, how to walk…and how to use a finger bowl ! Thanks for the reminder of a special time !
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you so much Ann Y.! Some of the binders can be found on eBay.
CHERYL M
My two sister’s and I attended the Sears Discovery Charm School on Ponce de Leon Blvd in Atlanta, Georgia in the early 70’s. We are proud to be a Charmers!!!
Susan
I attended the Sears Charm School in the late 1960’s and had my picture posted in the front of each door of the L.A. stores for awhile. I actually enjoyed it very much, except my father had to drive me to the downtown L.A. store as I progressed, and I did not enjoy that. I won a scholarship to Barbizon in New York, but my mother wouldn’t pay for initial fees so I couldn’t go. I have often wished that I would have fought harder to realize my dreams. I finally quit when my sister came to one of my modeling gigs and made faces at me until I started laughing and couldn’t stop. I was humiliated. Oh well, so much for being pretty.
A Lovely Inconsequence
Susan, I am sorry you were not able to complete your modeling dreams. I wanted to be a ballerina very badly and now (in non-Covid times), I volunteer at for a local ballet troupe. That Sears Charm School was a lot of fun.
Mzetiquette
I would love to get a copy of that binder. I went to Sears Discovery Charm School in the 70's in Washington, DC.
Tracy H
I went to this Sears class also. It might have been called Modeling School, I can’t quite remember and my mother has passed on. No one to ask.
I loved it and the fashion show at the end. This was in the mid to late 70’s in Chicago.
My mother also put me in Girl Scouts, ballet, tap, modern jazz, and violin lessons.
What a wonderful memory, thank you.
Unknown
I am a proud graduate of the Sears Charm School. Still have my binder!
Mzetiquette
I would love to get a copy of that binder. I went to Sears Discovery Charm School in the 70's in Washington, DC.
Laura McHugh
Donna – I would like to contact you about the Charm School binder. Can you please email me at lauramchugh at me dot com? Thank you! Graduate 1971-2 – Hayward CA
donna macdonald
Lynn, there are some graduates online. It was a delightful experience. Debby, that sounds very similar. Wish they had things like this now for middle class girls.
DebbyMc
I went to a "Modeling" class at Montgomery Ward in the 60s…charm school would have been far more useful!
Lynn
I have never heard of this before, although I was sent to dance lessons in the seventh grade.