1950's Fashion

“In any era, fashion is a reflection of the time and what is going on in the culture politically, socially and economically.”1 The 1920’s witnessed a variety of dramatic changes for women; these changes, such as shorter dresses and stronger attitudes occurred primarily after World War I in spite of the prolonged development of women 's’ rights through 1914 and 1920. With their new hair, fashion styles, and attitudes, women had started what became known as the “Flapper Era”.

In the 1950s, the fashion industry was based mostly around teenagers and young adults. Before this time, adolescents were expected to follow in their parents’

People may say that the true years of fashion began in the late nineteen forties and went on through the early nineteen sixties. If you look at fashion today, its almost repeated the look from sixty years ago. In each generation fashion trends become based on history and/or important events. in the nineteen forties fashion was being modeled by the military wear. World War II caused a drastic change in the way clothes were being made and worn. In the nineteen fifties Americans admired the fashion of movie stars and music artists. Media had a strong influence on the wordly trend. The people of the sixties expressed there personalities and emotions through

The 1920’s fashion was a period of liberation, change, and even more importantly a movement towards the modern era. Fashion in the 1920’s varied throughout the decade but one could see the noticeable change from the previous fashion statements and eras. At the start of the decade, women began emancipating themselves from the constricting fashions by wearing more comfortable apparel. As women gained more rights and World War I forced them to become more independent, flappers came to be, mass-produced garments became available, and artistic movements increased in popularity, one can see how the fashions from the roaring twenties characterized the time and redefined womanhood. (1920s clothing 1)

If you take a look at modern fashion, you’ll be able to see hints of the 1920s. This is because many fashion designers and celebrities base there looks off of the 20s. “Many statement necklaces popular today are based on the bold styles worn by Coco Chanel.” (O'Donnell). Coco Chanel was a very popular French fashion designer in the 1920s that is still very well known to this day. Chanel, as well as other designers from the 20s, created fresh and unique looks that stuck through generations. What you wore in the 20s began to reflect who you are and your personality. In fact, what you wore in the 20s determined your social class and how people viewed you. If you look at today's fashion, everyone has their

While the 1950s stressed conformity, the 1960s gave full vent to those impulses. The 1960s was a period of transformational change, when long-held values and social norms broke down and were replaced with idealism and rebellion. It is also described as ‘’a breakthrough, a fleeting moment of glory, a time when a significant chunk of humanity realised its moral potential and flirted with its neurological destiny’’ . The young people did not want to reform the society, they did however want to overhaul it, remake it and if needed, destroy it . The sweeping social changes and prevailing attitudes of the decade were epitomised through the rejection of conventions and traditions associated with many aspects of life, including fashion. As Coco Chanel stated, ‘’fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening’’ . Many of these changes were prompted by the feminist movement, the space race and the Vietnam War. Evidently, new fashion trends emerged which reflected these new ideals. Some of the most prevalent trends included revealing clothing, space age designs and alternative hippie clothing.

Fashion is very important in modern day society, and can be seen all around. Most of what people know about fashion today came from the fashion during the renaissance. From the vibrant fabrics to the spectacular jewels, renaissance fashion has been thoroughly threaded in the fashion of modern society. Modern day women often wear shorty, fun gowns, tightly fitting jeans, and lower cut tops. Popular fashion trends for men in modern society include saggy jeans, V-neck shirts, and stylish watches. “A fashion is merely a form of ugliness so unbearable that we are compelled to alter it every six months” (Oscar Wilde). Fashion in modern day society is ever changing, but most changes do not stray too far from the original product.

With the daring and radical cultural up rise within the last few decades coming from icons we grew to love, to what was happening right there in our very own home, the 1950’s was the “golden age” of change, and change only. Rock n’ roll began the decade, so called “perfect family” living carried on throughout the decade, the television took over minds, new fashion, and many things this country was not used to could be heard or seen right in their living room. Many look at this decade as more of a state of mind rather than categorizing it as just another decade in history. Our nation just emerged victoriously from the second World War so families began to feel more at ease with the moral purity that spread throughout homes and the economy progressing

The twenties, back in the day people would dress up all the time. The most famous clothing back then was the Flappers. Clothing back then was sort of like lady Gaga’s, but much milder. Back then, the people’s culture was different, so much so, that you might think it’s creepy, wired or perhaps cool. The people, of course, started trends old and new trends. The main problem is the supporters, like the people who want to wear the clothes or not.

In the 1950’s was the first time that teenage boys dressed differently from their fathers.You had the Teddy boys who were the british teenagers who liked to wear Edwardian suits and wore socially unacceptable socks.Fashion was set back then by famous muscicians and movie stars like Elvis pressley and Marlon Brando.These famous stars gave the impression of the greaser or rebel look.They wore ringer t-shirts and leather jackets,they also wore their hair differently as a form of rebelling.A song also came out during the 1950’s saying that during prom you was suppose to wear a white sportscoat and hankerchieves.The rebelling type of people also rebelled during prom and would wear flashy color of

Audrey Hepburn shows many examples of how elegance looked with long slim dress, gloves, and an occasional diamond hair clip in the upper class that was a great way to dress at a fancy party, or gathering. Men did not have much of a trend change but switched over to rebellion and became a “greaser” also known as the well known bad boy but influenced society to under look teenagers. Sweaters and khakis were very popular which was the normal, and trendy style for men. Elegance is something that men have always have, but it was altered in the 50’s, suits changed different colors and normal black, went to brown, yellow, blue, and all different colors. This was the decade when fashion changed the colors, length, and symbol of clothes which shaped fashion into what it is

Clothing in the 1900’s was different than it is today because people always covered up everything, made their clothing out of natural material, and there was really only one style on how to dress. Men and women covered up everywhere from head to toe, and when it came to showing skin, it was almost unacceptable. Another drastic change that puts clothing at a different standpoint then it s today is the material used to make their clothing. They had only one option, and that was just natural materials. Men and boys, women and girls, all dressed alike; all females wearing long dresses with under garments that covered arms and legs, and and males wearing the same kind of suit-type uniform.

The 1920’s, also called the roaring 20’s, was a time of change. During this time period the fashion for both men and women was changing immensely. The aftermath of WWI caused America to enter a vigorous era. As a result of the role of women during the war, many customs and morals were changing. The Stock Market started booming, many new dances and music came about, and women got the right to vote and enter the workforce. There was an uprise in almost every activity, and fashion was definitely one (Tirocchi, Anna and Laura). Although fashion varied throughout the decade, one could notice a drastic change from the prior fashion.

Women and Men both were fashionable from the thirties but women were more fashionable as compare to men. “Women’s fashion during the early-to-mid thirties reflected the American culture and this ideology of

The Years between the 1950’s and 1960’s was an explosive time in fashion. The 50’s represented an out coming of the new generation. People began to gain their own personal style and appearance, influenced by films and singers (“Vintage Fashion”). Their styles incorporated leather, jeans, corduroy, and the ballet shoes for the girls. Men’s wear began to drastically change. Men would wear a leather jacket, with jeans that narrowed at the bottom, and a simple t-shirt (Peacock 210-211). This was the first time in history that jeans were not just worn by the working class but by all men (“Brief History”). The man’s lust for flesh grew during this time, so women’s skirts began to get shorter and the bikini was invented. Clothes were made to glorify the female body and emphasize every curve. It wasn’t until the Barbie doll was created in the late 50’s that young girls began to have a separate fashion from their mothers. Young girls would wear sweaters with full skirts or pants