1950’s

World Events during 1950s

• The diner’s club card is introduced and becomes the first accepted at multiple retail establishments
• Nationalist Chaina leader Chiang Kai-shek establishes an anticommunist government on the island of Taiwan after being defeated on the main land
• Isarael’s new “law of return” grants automatic citizenship to any immigrant Jews from around the world
• Korean war begins
• Senator Joseph McCarthy begins communist witch hunt
• U.S. president Truman oders construction of hydrogen bomb
• The soviet union begins putting nuclear missiles on submarines
• The postwar baby boom dramatically increases birthrates in North America,Europe,Australia and Asia 

  War in Korea

 

 Fashion in 1950s

In 1947 Christian Dior presented a fashion look with a fitted jacket with a nipped in waist and full calf length skirt.  It was a dramatic change from wartime austerity styles.   After the rationing of fabric during the Second World War, Dior’s lavish use of material was a bold and shocking stroke.   His style used yards and yards of fabric.   Approximately 10 yards was used for early styles.   Later Dior used up to 80 yards for newer refinements that eliminated bulk at the waist. The New Look and new approach to fashion was a major post war turning point in Fashion History.

 

Dior’s New Look of 1947 and the design called Bar.

Another trend in the 1950’s was the “trapeze dress: a swinging dress almost triangular in shape and designed to be worn with low shoes and bouffant hairstyles.” The trapeze dress was later modified into a shorter baby doll tent style dress, which was popular in the next decade. Perhaps one of the most classic fashion garments from the 1950’s was Christian Dior’s H-line of 1954, which consisted of a slender tunic-style suit with a slim skirt.

His other popular fashions during this period were his A and Y lines. Dior has long been a dominant force in the fashion world, especially in the 1950’s. His creative and usually voluminous garments gave women a more feminine touch. Another designer, Hubert Givenchy created a Parisian style dress in 1957 which he called the Sack. The Sack began the trend of straighter-waist dresses. Initially, it developed into the “fitted darted sheath dress and later into the loose straight short shift dress.”

 

 Trapeze dress

10 Fashion Trends in 1950’s

The 10 fashion trends in 1950’s are not only fascination; they have also inspired many contemporary fashion designers who create retro pieces. Read on to learn more about the most prominent fashion trends in 1950s and draw ideas on how to revamp your wardrobe and outfits!

1. Chemise. A chemise is a loose and delicate sleeveless dress with spaghetti straps. These dresses are extremely feminine, and they are also very comfortable as women can adjust the waist according to their body shapes. It was one of the most popular fashion trends in 1950s when Coco Chanel introduced the idea to the public. 
2. Velvet top. Women in the 1950s cherished comfort, but at the same time, they also wanted to show off the lushness of their femininity. As such, velvet tops became one of the most well-recognized fashion trends in the 1950s. 
3. Sleeveless dress. You may be surprised by the fact that women in the 1950s wore sleeveless dresses all four seasons in the year. They doted on this fashion item for its convenience and comfort. Sleeveless dresses were also popular for more formal occasions. 
4. Stole. One of the famous fashion trends in 1950’s was the stole. Women would often wear a long matching fabric and have that delicately drape over their bare shoulders while they wear an intricate dinner dress. 
5. Patent leather. Patent leather is not only stylish now, but it was also one of the biggest fashion trends in the 1950s. Like today, it was used to make pumps, handbags and accessories. 
6. Leotard. Women in the 1950s loved wearing leotards, and would pair them with full skirts that sure captured a lot of attention. 
7. Form-fitting pants and skirts. It is not surprising that fitted pants and tight skirts were one of the biggest fashion trends in 1950s; in fact, that was quite like our current obsession with leggings, and even more so, jeggins (leggings that imitate jeans). Usually, women would wear an over-sized top or sweater with the fitted bottom. 
8. Leather jacket. For men in the 1950s, leather jackets were a must if they wanted to attract the opposite sex. To create a rebellious look, they would pop up the collar of the jacket. 
9. Strapless evening gown. No one will be surprised to see strapless dresses nowadays. In fact, this trend began to develop in the 1950s and have become popular ever since. 
10. Poodle skirt. Women in the 1950s often wore a full skirt with a poodle silhouette printed on it. These skirts usually came in colors such as neon pink and bright red.  

In the 1950s, pants became very narrow, and were worn ankle-length. Pants cropped to mid-calf were houseboy pants; shorter pants, to below the knee, were called pedal-pushers.

Until the 1950’s, the term “teenagers” was not commonly used, and certainly not a targeted market group. But with a new range of influences, including film, television, rock music, and magazines, teenagers began to be respected and acknowledged in the community. Often nicknamed the “Space Age”, the 1950’s was an important time in history for science and development as well. So many aspects of life changed during this period, perhaps partially attributed to the recent end of World War II.

Regardless of the world’s issues, the top fashions that drove the industry were more influenced by those who were idolized by the consumers: celebrities. Some of the most popular celebrities in the 1950’s include Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Ricky Nelson, and of course, Elvis Presley. Marilyn Monroe’s sexy yet simple style was a widely imitated across America, by women of all shapes and sizes. Elvis Presley was another huge influence in the 1950’s; not only was he adored by millions of girls, but he was also an inspiration for men. In a time where men only wore traditional attire, Elvis tore down all barriers which confined men to navy suits and ties.

Icons of this period

 

Marilyn Monroe

She was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s.

She posed nude for the now famous calendar shot which was later to appear in the first issue of Playboy magazine in 1953

Audrey Hepburn

She was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world’s most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century.

Hepburn was first dressed by Givency in the film Sabrina (1954)

 Hepburn in Breakfast at tiffany’s (1961), wearing the iconic little black dress by Givenchy

Elvis Presley

He was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “the King“.

The “iconic cover” of Presley’s 1956

President Richard M. Nixon and Elvis Presley at the White House