Mag Hags

Tatler, December 1980

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Episode notes

Grab your Barbour and don your wellies – it’s time for Tatler! 

Lucy is taking the Mag Hags back to Tina Brown’s formative career years and a festive issue of the high society bible. Here, Franki and Lucy learn some valuable lessons in how to *really* show off one’s status and discuss the British aristocracy’s take on Quiet Luxury. 

There is some questionable history on 20th century tax policy, the origin story of a ubiquitous old lady shoe, and a reflection on 1980 through the lens(es) of different magazines of the day: from The Stage to The Field.

Plus: have *you* come up against the Beasts of Belgravia 

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LINKS

READ: “The Vanity Fair Diaries, 1983–1992” by Tina Brown 

READ: Death of a Princess 

CHAPTERS

02:20 – Introduction to Tatler, December 1980

09:22 – “Status – You show me yours and I’ll show you mine”: The subtle art of exuding wealth without letting on you’re wealthy 

28:42 – *An ad break from 1980*

30:27 – “Looking at the world through Vole-coloured glasses”: A sojourn through 1980 via the stories of different magazines, including The Lady, Church Times, and a now-defunct ‘glossy quarterly for Arab women’ 

42:11 – Fashion (and no beauty) tips from 1980

45:02 – “The Beasts of Belgravia” – On the hunt for villains terrorising butchers, bakers and candlestick makers in London’s premium postcode

56:12 – What's hot and what's not in 1980

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Mag Hags is written and hosted by Lucy Douglas and Franki Cookney.

Editing and audio production by Franki Cookney.

Our theme music is Look Where That Got You, Mattie Maguire. Additional music: Leotard Haul, Dez Moran. Both courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com.

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