In the 1950s, television portrayed an idealized version of American life, often referred to as the "golden age" of television. During this time, many TV shows and commercials showcased a sanitized and glamorous representation of daily life, including how people dressed at home. The image of women getting dressed up, wearing pearls, and even high heels while cleaning the house was a common trope on television during this era. However, it's important to remember that this was a fictionalized portrayal, and not necessarily an accurate reflection of how everyone dressed in real life.
The idea behind such portrayals was to present an aspirational and picture-perfect image of the American family and domestic life. TV shows and advertisements sought to promote an idealized version of the traditional family unit, with a focus on gender roles, manners, and etiquette. Women were often depicted as homemakers, taking care of the household and children, while men were portrayed as the breadwinners.
In reality, not all women in the 1950s wore pearls and fancy dresses while cleaning their homes. Everyday attire for housework typically consisted of more practical and comfortable clothing, such as simple dresses, aprons, or casual pants and blouses. People dressed more formally for special occasions or when entertaining guests.
The emphasis on dressing up for household tasks was a reflection of the cultural norms and expectations of the time, which emphasized the importance of appearances and maintaining a polished image. It was a way to project an air of elegance and refinement, even in domestic settings.
As with any representation of a particular time period in media, it's essential to recognize that television shows and commercials from the 1950s offered a stylized and often exaggerated depiction of reality. While some aspects of life in the 1950s may have aligned with what was shown on TV, many others did not, and the portrayal of dressing up to clean the house with pearls was one such example.