Fashion in the 1950's

Halfway through with the 20th century! Today, I did some research on women's fashion in the 1950's.

The first source I went to is the blog of my friend, Sarah, who is researching a similar topic as mine. Her blog (http://lavendor.tumblr.com/) is full of wonderful pictures of both women's and men's fashion from this decade specifically. If you want to find out more about the 50's, take a look!

Three 1950's Fashions

America in the 1950's was just emerging from the restrictions of war into an age of relative prosperity. The development of new financial institutions, including a credit card system, meant that consumer buying power increased, and consequently, more manufactured clothing could also be bought. The youth culture that started developing in the 1940's continued to grow during this time, influenced by British non-conformism (such as the neo-Edwardian "Teddy Boys") and the rise of rock-and-roll. The youth culture has sometimes been referred to as the Beat Generation

Woman in "Teddy Boy"-inspired Clothing

Postwar women roles were also beginning to return to the ideal of a homemaker. The ideal woman was characterized as "doe-eyed" and "feminine", features achieved through the use of mascara and fitted dress forms. Fashion emphasized femininity: soft shoulders, stiletto heels, wrist gloves, and full skirts. Dress forms such as the chemise dress (with a waist line determined at whim using a belt) or the sleeveless dress were also favored for their convenient wear and availability. Fabrics such as velvet, tulle, and chiffon gained popularity, as well as the iconic staples of patent leather and fur. Dior continued to hold a prestigious role in haute couture, continuing from the previous decade, releasing new couture fashions such as the Princess Line, the A Line, the H Line, and the Profile Line. Corsets and conical brassieres also became popular in order to achieve the ideal figure.

Actress and Style Icon Audrey Hepburn

Work wear included sleek pencil skirts and ornamentation such as small hats, veils, and feathers. The notable tailor's suit figure consisted of a straight skirt and a jacket like an old riding habit, complete with high lapels, narrow sleeves, and single-breasted design.

Woman in Tailored Suit

Sources:
http://www.enjoy-your-style.com/1950s-fashion.html
http://www.paperpast.com/html/1950_fashion.html