1950s Fashion: An Overview

1950s fashion was gloriously full and feminine in every way.

The war was over, restrictions on fabric gone. The men came home from war and the women went back into the home after working in factories, offices and fields.

Women wanted luxury and femininity again. The designers gave then just what they wanted.

In the late 1940s Dior stirred up the world of fashion with his New Look. Broad shoulders, tiny waists and full, flowing, calf length skirts made of yards and yards of fabric. After all the frugal practicality of the early 1940s women wanted to feel like women. And men wanted women to be feminine.

The hard lines and broad shoulders of the 1940s factory working girl changed into the soft lines and puffy skirts that typify the fashion of the 1950s housewife. Dior’s New Look was exactly what society had been longing for. He called women wearing the New Look, flower women. No more hard lines and practical designs, but soft femininity. The New Look was introduced in 1947 but continued to be fashionable well into the 1950s.

Dior

In 1954 Dior introduced the H line. Instead of the flowing skirts of the flower women we see tight fitting pencil skirts. A more business-like straight silhouette characterised the H line.

In the spring of 1955 he presented the A line. The A line was reminiscent of the Empire line of the 1800s. A tapering line spreading out into a full skirt and no waist line worth mentioning.

In the autumn of that same year the Y line was presented. The Y line resembled the H line with the distinction that the shoulders were accentuated and thus a woman’s figure resembled the capital letter Y. It was Dior’s dream to save women from nature. All women, not only the rich who were able to afford haute couture. He sold his designs so that cheaper reproductions could be made and sold. It did not take long before all women were dressed according to the Dior styles.

Chanel

Only in 1954 she returned to fashion and designed the Chanel suit. This boxy suit with simple lines and luxurious heavy fabric soon became popular in America.

Coco Chanel believed the restricting feminine lines of the New Look were outdated and chose for a more comfortable and practical style. No more corsets!

“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” Women loved this idea and followed Coco’s lead. Comfort by no means meant the same as frumpiness or casual dressing. The Chanel suit quickly became the way to dress for formal occasions.

1950s Hair

Soft curls to complete the image of New Look femininity. In 1950s fashion pony tails became popular among teenage girls.

Perfect 1950s housewife Lucille Ball introduced the poodle cut. In the late 1950s Dusty Springfield made the beehive popular.

1950s Make Up

Max Factor’s pan cake foundation was used to create the illusion of a soft peachy skin, eyebrows were plucked thin and high for that slightly surprised look.

After the war the beauty industry boomed. Brands such as Avon were brought to the 1950s housewife by door to door sales ladies.

1950s Shoes

The (open toe) pump remained the basic footwear for women. In teenage culture saddle shoes (or oxford shoes), penny loafers, sneakers and ballet flats were popular.

Teenagers and 1950s Fashion

Teddy boys wore suits inspired on the fashion of the Edwardian period. Long jackets, high waisted trousers and crepe-soled, suede upper (beetle crusher) shoes.

Elvis Presley led the way in Teddy Boy fashions with his DA hairstyle and drainpipe trousers. But the style took on a life of its own in 1950s fashion.