Essay on Fashion Trends in the Fifties

“Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.” - Edna Woolman Chase. Fashion in the 1920s was a big deal. People started dressing for themselves and not for others. The styles changed drastically from past years. Fashion was very distinct in the 1920’s for men, women, and children.

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’

The Roaring Twenties brought many fads and fashion rages. During the 1920's, Americans were given the honor of being called the "best- dressed". Several things contributed to this honor: Affordable pricing, mass production clothing, the birth of the "flapper girl", and rise of fashionable movie stars that Americans wanted to imitate.

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)

The 1920s was an age of drastic social and political changes. For the first time in history, more Americans started living in cities rather than on farms. Americans were wealthier than ever before. People from coast to coast bought similar goods, listened to the same music, did the same dances, and even used related slang. Numerous Americans were uncomfortable with this unfamiliar, urban, and occasionally racy “mass culture”. In fact, for a large number of people in the United States, the 1920s brought more conflict than celebration. However, for a minuscule handful of youth in the nation’s larger cities, the 1920s were roaring. Prohibition gave criminals a way to illegally make money; gangsters, young men who worked in criminal gangs, began selling on the black-market alcohol. Young woman emerged during the 1920s with different appearance, attitude, and behavior; with a bobbed haircut and short skirts.

A thorough and broadened knowledge of American clothing’s history opens wide, the opportunity to explore the American identity. Helen Sheumaker’s “American Fashion” discusses the relationship between political values and their influence on different clothing styles. The Reader’s Companion to U.S. Women’s History provides insight about how the clothing fashion was indicative of a person’s class. Certain clothing styles distinguished specific communities like the wealthy and the working class yet simultaneously gave a clear distinction of the liberal American style from the proper and trim of the

This essay will explore the effects social and political changes had on fashion in the 1980’s. This period was chosen because the new romantic fashions were so different to the punk fashions that had been before, this essay will therefore identify the changes that had taken place to influence this change. Primary evidence used to support findings will include interviews and photographs which will show a firsthand account of the period.

As Coco Chanel quotes: “Fashion is an architecture: It is a matter of proportion.” Fashion during the Harlem Renaissance and the roaring 20s define the culture of males, females, whites & blacks.

Throughout the 1920s through the 1950s Women’s clothing in America was affected by World War II, which lead to the exploration of different styles, the encounter of new trends and the exchange of ideas and new styles.

By 1925, people were able to hear about the latest fashions on the radio and see them in the movies. This influenced them to buy what was considered “trendy”. Newspapers and magazines such as Vanity Fair and Vogue began printing ads and columns about fashion. What a person would wear would determine their place on the social ladder, even if they weren’t born into that position. A distinct look was known as the “flapper”.

If there was one word to describe the decade of the 1950s, that word would “fabulous”. The 1950s was a memorable time in history, characterized by rock and roll, social conformity, mega-projects, and new technology. The lives of many Canadians cannot be generalized, but their values were all shaped by two major events: the Great Depression and World War II. After a period of cold war and depression the fifties became known as a time for new beginnings, for everyone including African-Americans. Events like Rosa Park's refusal to give her bus seat to a white rider triggered the civil rights movement that would bring an end to segregation.¹ There were many reasons why there was an uproar with African-Americans at this time, and one of those reasons was because of a new form of music. Then called Rock and Roll, this new type of music appeared to revolutionize musical tastes among many young people, and changed the world in more ways than one. The 1950s was also an age of the construction of many mega-projects in Canada, for example, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and Trans-Canada Highway. Much like the media portrayed life in the 1950s as peaceful and happy, in reality, the Fifties were not much different than they were on television.

The First and Second World War have had an everlasting effect on numerous nations on the planet. One would not consider design patterns when contemplating the wars however, it was imperative to the ladies at the time. In the wake of investigating about style patterns amid the wars; I have understood that the business has been a continuous circle. Patterns from the past, for example, military coats or studs and spikes or splendid hues and dynamic patters have done a full circle and are back on pattern today.

World War II meant a decline in the economy and refraining from luxuries. The demand for supplies was a key factor in helping America win the war. Therefore, civilians were forced to sacrifice their nonessentials, with clothing and beauty products being the most difficult for women to eliminate from their lives. Therefore, women made efforts to keep fashion alive, even if it required endless creativity and thrifty tactics. Looking back on the war and how it sparked innovation and creativity, is shocking. Very few people would have expected the fashion industry to survive through World War II, let alone sky-rocket and change the way women dressed forever. Although women’s fashion was expected to fall along with the economy of World War II, the under-funded industry overcame the economic crisis against all odds. First, the pressure to conserve materials for the war guided women toward a more thrifty wardrobe. Secondly, women who took over the workforce changed their fashion styles for the sake of safety and practicality. Lastly, Cosmetics were re-designed to boost morale and allow women to express their femininity to counteract the masculine and man-like duties that women fulfilled during the war.

A change in culture is always a constant aspect to society. While In 2013 the main fashion trend was to wear sports clothing outside of the gym, in 2015 there was a more minimalistic view on the styles of dresses. As the styles have changed, so have the views on the ideal life for a woman, starting from being a mother to being someone who helps bring money to the family and works. A majority of this has occurred from the style changing from 50’s mostly modest blouses, skirts, and shirts to dress pants and much more minimalistic clothing that either has no huge pattern or a very small pattern. From these changes we can see how the view on women has changed, including their role in society.

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.