1950s; ch 18: fashion conformity

Nylon

Became available again in 1947 post ww2

Teddy boys

Created the first truly independent fashions for young working people

• inspired by Edwardian styles; longer jackets with padded wide shoulders, high turned back, lapis, cuffed sleeves, bright colored socks, narrow trousers, and narrow neck ties

Teddy girls

Long gray jackets, black skirts, or pants, black stockings, black, high neck sweaters, or white shirts

Beatniks ( late 50s)

Inspired by literacy figures; beard’s ponytails, dirty sneakers, peasant, blouses, and black outfits

Poodle skirt

Full circle skirt with poodle appliqué

Full petticoat

Scarf

Saddle shoes

Short sleeve white blouse

White bucks

White buckskin shoes, worn by pat Boone

Who became the most fashion influential in the 1950s?

Movie stars

Did new fabrics enter?

Yes, fabric such as polyester and acrylics entered the market as well as specialized finishes

Christian Dior in the 50s

Continue to innovate silhouettes marketed outside of Paris launched licensing business on perfume, lipstick and stockings

(Middle class could access )

coco Chanel

Came out of retirement following World War II and made her famous Chanel Tweed suit. Also made handbags, perfume shoes and costume jewelry.

Cristobal Balenciaga- editor at Harper’s bazaar

Spanish born cultural, used forms and shapes. Introduced chemise style

Charles James

American designer sculpture forms, and evening dresses, butterflies and four leaf clover dresses

Chinos

Khaki colored twill, weave cotton trousers with small belt and buckle at the back

Continental suits

Shorter jackets a closer fit through the torso and rounded cutaway jacket fronts

era of the grey flannel

Career minded business men (under shirts had color but suits mainly grey )

Trapeze dress

Narrow shoulders and wide hem by yves saint laurent

Chemise styles

Unfitted and loose straight dress

Pedal pushers

Mid-calf length pants

Colored dress shirts

Typically under the grey suits in pink blue and white

Shrugs

Bolerolike cardigan

Ballerina length dresses

just below the knee (same as daytime ) or slightly above with fancier fabrics like chiffon

Shirtwaist dress

Button up front with fitted waist and a variety of sleeve and collar styles

Easy care fabrics

Drip-dry clothing (doesn’t hold water) and wash and wear (quick drying in dryer)

international travel

Air travel was relatively cheaper to boat travel and allowed Americans to spend an estimated $2 billion abroad. Travels returned with fashion goods from other countries and became more receptive to imports.

Winkle pickers

Replaced flat, broad shoes with exaggerated pointed toes

Suburban life

many women had returned to homemaking created ababy boom and family oriented interstate allowed for family travel, fast food restaurants for quick and easy meals and camping became popular for recreation. mall shopping became popular

Sneakers

Because of suburban living canvas tennis shoes were created

Girdles

Foundation garmet that maintained rounded hip line

Bermuda shorts

Walking or Jamaica shorts, 3 inches above the knee loose and baggy

Bouffant

Puffy round hairstyle