Women's Fashion in the 1950s
Women’s Fashion in the 1950s
The 1950s post-World War II era, were a time of fashion evolution. Advances in textile technology subsequent to the war gave way to new fabrics such as spandex and easy-care finishes that suited suburban lifestyle for women in the 1950s. The 1940s boxy structure look with square shoulders and short skirts were replaced by Christian Dior’s “New Look” silhouette, which also gave way to an unfitted, structural look in the later 1950s. After years of military and civilian uniform, clothing restriction and shortages, Dior presented a new outlook in women’s fashion. “Television joined fashion magazines and movies in disseminating clothing styles” (Brockman, 54). The 1950s also became the transition from the formal and conservative style in the 1940s to a much freer, looser, and informal style.
The Post-World War II economic expansion included an overflow of synthetic fabrics and easy-care processes. “Dip-dry” nylon, orlon and dacron, with its ability to retain heat-set pleats after washing, became enormously popular. Nylon stockings were an incredibly popular product because they were a lightweight alternative to wool and silk stockings. The 1950s introduced popular fabrics such as spandex, polyester, acrylic and triacetate. The new fabrics worked well with the suburban lifestyle in the 1950s. The most common daytime fabrics that were used during the 1950s were neutrals, rayon, nylon, poly-cotton blends, as well as acrylic and acetate. Wool and cashmere would generally be developed into sweaters. Eveningwear would generally be made of brocades, satin, velveteen, taffeta, nylon net, tulle and chiffon in both synthetic and natural fabrics (Fashion History).
Christian Dior, a famous French fashion designer in the twentieth century, launched his collection in 1947 that revolutionized the world of fashion in the 1950s. Dior’s collection “the New Look celebrated ultra-femininity and opulence in women’s fashion” (Charleston). Resisted at first,
The 1950s post-World War II era, were a time of fashion evolution. Advances in textile technology subsequent to the war gave way to new fabrics such as spandex and easy-care finishes that suited suburban lifestyle for women in the 1950s. The 1940s boxy structure look with square shoulders and short skirts were replaced by Christian Dior’s “New Look” silhouette, which also gave way to an unfitted, structural look in the later 1950s. After years of military and civilian uniform, clothing restriction and shortages, Dior presented a new outlook in women’s fashion. “Television joined fashion magazines and movies in disseminating clothing styles” (Brockman, 54). The 1950s also became the transition from the formal and conservative style in the 1940s to a much freer, looser, and informal style.
The Post-World War II economic expansion included an overflow of synthetic fabrics and easy-care processes. “Dip-dry” nylon, orlon and dacron, with its ability to retain heat-set pleats after washing, became enormously popular. Nylon stockings were an incredibly popular product because they were a lightweight alternative to wool and silk stockings. The 1950s introduced popular fabrics such as spandex, polyester, acrylic and triacetate. The new fabrics worked well with the suburban lifestyle in the 1950s. The most common daytime fabrics that were used during the 1950s were neutrals, rayon, nylon, poly-cotton blends, as well as acrylic and acetate. Wool and cashmere would generally be developed into sweaters. Eveningwear would generally be made of brocades, satin, velveteen, taffeta, nylon net, tulle and chiffon in both synthetic and natural fabrics (Fashion History).
Christian Dior, a famous French fashion designer in the twentieth century, launched his collection in 1947 that revolutionized the world of fashion in the 1950s. Dior’s collection “the New Look celebrated ultra-femininity and opulence in women’s fashion” (Charleston). Resisted at first,
Cited: Brockman, Helen L. The Theory of Fashion Design. New York: Wiley, 1965. Print. Charleston, Beth Duncuff. “Christian Dior (1905-1957)”. In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000-http//www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/dior/hd_dior.htm (October 2004). De Rethy, Esmerelda and Perreau, Jean-Louis. Christian Dior: The Glory Years, 1947-1957. New York: Vendome Press, 2002. Print. "Fashion History: 1950 's." Fashion Templates. Fashion Templates, n. d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. . "Lingerie from History We Would (Probably) Never Wear Again". 2 February 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2014. Peacock, John. The 1950s (Fashion Sourcebook). New York: Thames & Hudson, 1997. Print. Tortora, Phyllis G., and Keith Eubank. "Chapter Seventeen; Chapter Eighteen." Survey of Historic Costume: A History of Western Dress. New York: Fairchild Publications, 2006. 427-97. Print. "VINTAGE Clothing Guide 1950s." Ruche. Web. 27 Feb 2014. .