Fashion in the 1950's

“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”.

The 1960s was a decade of sweeping changes of events throughout history along with a new growth in youth fashion (Albert). As fashion trends and styles began to rapidly change, many young teens during this time began to express they wore, such as young ladies beginning to show more skin and young men who began wearing more colors. Music was also very big at the time and was mainly written about anti-war movements because so many opposed the Vietnam War, in which then also was a time when womens wear had come to a big change as the mini skirt was introduced and many other styles had begun coming out for both men and women, and as the years go by in the 60s of how the popularity of music and famous people had come to influence

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.

Women’s fashion was a social controversy in the 1920’s. This controversy was influenced by women’s clothing, swimwear, hairstyles, makeup, and attitude alone. This attire and new found character traits added a certain attitude and confidence to these women, starting what would eventually be remembered as a revolution.

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

In today's society we focus on clothing more than we focus on our country’s problems. We have fashion shows for popular brands while companies fork over millions of dollars on a piece of clothing that the average citizen will not wear. In the 1930’s, the fashion industry was much different. In today's society it's normal to wear baggy sweatpants with a hoodie and still look “appropriate.” Fashion was all about elegance in the 1930’s. Men and women had very different but similar styles in clothing from our society today. Some of the brands from this time still exist to this day, and some of their most popular products are still worn in our society.

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 Jazz culture inspired multiple dances, such as the Black Bottom and the ever-popular Charleston. These dances required lots of movement leading to a shift in women’s fashion. Women wore less undergarments, went without coresets, and designed dresses that allowed for more freedom of movement. In 1921, Coco Chanel introduced the “drop-waist” dress, which were worn with long strings of glass beads or pearls. By 1925 these dresses resembled the shifts that were worn under the dresses of the early 1900. Evening dress were made up of mesh material, sleeveless, low v-neckline or backless, and sometimes adorned with sequence. These new fashions were advertised in fashion magazines that made their appearance in the 20s, Vouge, The Queen, and the

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.

“ Fashions fade. Style is eternal” - Once said the famous designer Yves Saint Laurent. In the 1950’s marked the era in fashion that people think of as the turning point in fashion. Teenagers would be looked at for their own fashion, and would have sexier outfits. Women would start to wear accessories such as hats, glasses and diamonds (Fashion History). They would show more skin and have tighter outfits. Men would start to wear suits and look more formal. The “cowboy” look would start to play a big role during this time. Many men would wear different colors including pink.

Fashion icons and actors like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn influenced the fashion that celebrities and actors wear today. The fashion that they wore during this time was mainly made from clothes, accessories and hairstyles which has led into the ways were dress today. Clothing during the 1950’s was very different than it is today. Many of the the women’s dresses exploded with excessive fabrics (Pearson). The fabrics that they used the most were nylon, rayon, wool, and leathers.

Fashion has evolved over the past century and as culture and attitudes shift, the depiction of an era, as defined by fashion, directly impacts the decisions of what to wear. Fashion symbolizes the spirit of the times and throughout history, women have embodied every decade by distinctively making a statement with garments created by various top fashion designers. Due to the burdens of World War II, the early 1940’s was a time of conformity, regulation, and limited accessibility of basic needs for every citizen in the nation. Encouragement and support of the war effort in all ways possible and making the best of out what resources were available was expected and considered patriotic. Being in style was not necessarily top priority during the war years, however at the same time, fashion had a great influence on how people dressed.

During the 1920’s the clothing began to become more modernized and moved away from the fashion of the later decades. The 1920’s had various clothing styles that would depend on many aspects. Depending on the time of day, who was there, the type of outing, and the type of party there would be many different looks that could be presented. Men and Women could change into multiple outfits a day to fit the occasion. The clothing worn also depended on the persons age, occupation, and social class. There were many guidelines for clothing in the 1920’s.

A Change in Times The new music, clothing style, and drug use made the 1960s into the decade it was. New genres of music was formed along with the release of new music that reached the top of the charts. The clothing style definitely changed as well.

Foremost, the basics of fashion now began to get a little more complicated. Plastic surgery was now fully developing and entering into the world of fashion and medicine (viewingamerica.edu). To top onto that, other aspects of the economy were “woven into clothing” (americanhistory.edu 1). Many effects are or have occurred as a result from fashion in the 1950’s. “The current embrace of 1950s-influenced fashion reflects other broader cultural trends in the United States..” (Gresham). Did they possibly affect the fashion that we know today in any certain in level? is also partially questioned by Gresham. Generally speaking, fashion in the 1950’s had made an impact on the society in ways of style and