The Timeless Appeal of the 1950s

fashion 1950s

Fashion in the years following World War II is characterized by the resurgence of haute couture after the austerity of the war years. Square shoulders and short skirts were replaced by the soft femininity of Christian Dior’s “New Look” silhouette, with its sweeping longer skirts, fitted waist, and rounded shoulders, which in turn gave way to an unfitted, structural look in the later 1950s.

Innovations in textile technology following the war resulted in new fabrics such as spandex, volleyball shorts and easy-care fabric finishes that fitted the suburban lifestyle of the 1950s with its emphasis on casual sportswear for both men and women. For the first time, teenagers became a force in fashion.

Here are some of the more enduring looks from that time:

Cotton tweed dress and cutaway jacket; Skirt panel flares at front from button row to hem.

Cotton tweed dress and cutaway jacket; Skirt panel flares at front from button row to hem.

 

Contrast-fabric, short-sleeved sheath dress with bateau neckline, side button closure and back waist tie; contrast fabric creates apron effect.

Contrast-fabric, short-sleeved sheath dress with bateau neckline, side button closure and back waist tie; contrast fabric creates apron effect.

Bouffant dress with contrast-fabric surplice or wrap closing.

Bouffant dress with contrast-fabric surplice or wrap closing.

Contrasting-fabrics dress with bateau neckline, bow decorations on bodice and single front pleat on tulip skirt.

Contrasting-fabrics dress with bateau neckline, bow decorations on bodice and single front pleat on tulip skirt.

Checked dress and jacket.

Checked dress and jacket.

Tweed straight skirt with buttoned and pointed pocket flap, paired with cowl-neckline overblouse trimmed with matching buttoned and pointed tweed bow.

Tweed straight skirt with buttoned and pointed pocket flap, paired with cowl-neckline overblouse trimmed with matching buttoned and pointed tweed bow.

One-piece dress with buttoned collar and belt.

One-piece dress with buttoned collar and belt.

Ensemble with flared pleated skirt.

Ensemble with flared pleated skirt.

Sport separates with floral print skirt and belted sash.

Sport separates with floral print skirt and belted sash.

 

 

 

 




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