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Clothes and men's and ladies fashions in the 1950's prices and examples

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prices for clothes and men's and ladies fashions in the 1950's examples from The People History Site

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The 1950s was a turning point in Ladies' fashion, a time for all of the 'pent-up' ideas to reveal themselves after the restraints of WW2. Finally, Australian fashion moved away from America's classic/outdated styles like padded shoulders in favour of the softness and easy-to-care-for nature of new textiles.
This 'new age' started with Christian Dior's 'New Look' which enhanced a pointed bust, small waist, below-mid-calf length full skirt and a more feminine rounded shoulder line. Dior's line was soon replaced by Coco's 'Chanel Suit' , typically an A-line skirt and braid-trimmed cardigan-style jacket. By 1957 most suits featured lightly fitted jackets that were just below the waist and shorter, narrower skirts.

The style of dresses changed significantly at the start of the 1950s. Day dresses consisted of a fitted bodice, full skirt and low-cut neckline. Two popular styles were the shirt dress which had a skirt-like bodice and the halter-neck dress. In general, most dresses were quite full, held out by petticoats and often decorated with appliqué designs, other dresses adopted a more modern style, the pencil skirt which were narrow, hip-hugging and showed off a woman's curves.

Shoes changed over the decade too, from high-heels with rounded/peep toes or strapped sandals with thin heels to kitten heels and metal tipped stilettos with heels reaching over 5 inches. Flat white shoes also became popular, known as saddle shoes (having patches of coloured leather sewn across the instep) commonly considered as a 'sporty shoe'.

The 1950s were a time where women began to spend more time on their appearance, wearing hats less in favour of hairstyles like bouffants, french rolls and the beehive. 'Sophisticated' women wore permanent waves- more commonly known as perms which gained popularity during the mid-50s. Women also used makeup to achieve a pale, unblemished look. Thicker eyebrows were highlighted and winged eyeliner was seen as highly important to any look. Glasses also enhanced the cat-eye shape and finished with diamanté's/ glitter in the upper corners.

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"There's more to the 50's fashion than poodle skirts, neck scarves and pony tails."

Short History

After the world war 2 had interrupted the evolution of fashion through the early 40's, the new trends in fashion were overdue. Fashion designers such as Christian Dior chose to change the silhouette of women's clothes for the 1950's. In February 1947, Christian Dior launched it's new collection known in fashion history as 'The New Look." The shape included a pointed bust, small waist, below-mid-calf length full skirt and the much more feminine rounded shoulder line.

Although women love the latest trends, America's fashion magazines continued to show padded shoulders until 1950, initially making the new silhouette struggle to be accepted. However, the softness of the "The New Look" radically became popular among "movies stars" and then the general public soon followed. As the textiles industry began redeveloping new synthetic fabrics, easy care processes were introduced; allowing for a greater choice for designers and also making it much easier for the customer to care for.

By the mid-50's Dior's "The New Look" was being replaced by Coco Chanel who made her comeback with the "Chanel Suit." It was typically an A-line skirt and braid-trimmed cardigan-style jacket. It was so quickly accepted into fashion that by 1957 most suits were featuring lightly fitted jackets that were only just below the waist and shorter narrower skirts.

Growing up as a teenager prior to World War II, teenagers were expected to take life seriously. Females were taught how to take care of the household and prepare themselves to be a dutiful wife and take care of children. Marriage and preparing for a family, more than education or a career, was seen as a definite in the lives of teenagers. Also, teens had very little economic freedom, independence, and input into decision making prior to WWII.

However, in the 1950's, expectations changed for the teenager. The economy started booming and families experienced a great deal of economic power, freedom and independence, including teenagers. Changes to music radio and new media forms such as television also helped coin teenage fashion and perceptions.

Due to these changing times and more independent attitudes, a more rebellious trend in the fashion began to develop. The fashion for youth was also heavily influenced by "the stars" and the "rock and roll" craze. Waist hugging brightly coloured skirts became popular for dancing. Tight fitting blouses, designed to show off a women's features, such as her bust and waist were adopted by some women. The blouse was then tucked into the "Capri" pants or "Pedal pushers," which were slim line, calf length trousers.

"A 50s dress will always impress"

The day dresses had fitted bodices, full skirts and jewel/low-cut necklines and peter pan collars. Shirt dresses, were exactly like the name suggested, a shirt-like bodice and full skirt. Halter-top sundresses were also popular. The skirts or bottom of dresses were very full, and held out with petticoats, even with poodles or musical instruments on them. However these particular bright coloured skirts seen in movies like Grease, were a brief fad. There was also another style of skirt which was popular, known as the 'Pencil skirts.' These were very narrow and hip hugging, showing off all the right curves. The evening-wear was mostly the same "Ballerina" length as the day dresses, even sometimes featuring full frothy skirts. Cocktail dresses were also popular when parties were of the early evening, they may have been dressier than a day dress, but were nowhere near as formal as a dinner dress.

At the beginning of the 50's, shoes were very high, with rounded or peep toes, and low cut uppers. Strapped sandals with thinner heels were pop as were thicker heels on shows that were not as high. Towards the middle of this era, kitten heels and metal tipped stilettos soon made a statement, reaching heights of up to 5 inches. A flat white shoe, which had patches of coloured leather sewn across the instep became popular at this time. They were known as saddle shoes and were considered to be a "sporty shoe."

Accessories

The full skirts needed some sort of support in order to hold the shape that was desired. Petticoats made of nylon were worn to get the right fullness, without gloves a women was not completely accessorised. Although gloves were worn in many colours, white and cream were most popular. They were usually made of cotton however leather gloves, were also popular. Glasses were of a cat eye-shape or butterfly wings, and were finished with diamantes and glitter in the upper corners. The bags that were used in the fifties, were usually held by the hand, or over the arm. They had side pockets, or rings to help ladies keep track of their gloves. Larger bags were popular when women travelled great distances into town, or when ladies wore their stilettos. They often carried with them an extra pair of flatter shoes in their bags.

With Dior's "New Look," women wore their hair short and curled, and hats were a must, unless the occasion was overly casual. Hats that were trendy included wide-brimmed saucer hats, until smaller hats soon took over. By the mid-50's, women began spending more time in the salon, so hats were worn less as they flattened fuller hairstyles like bouffants, french rolls and the beehive which became popular. The tougher girls of the time wore their hair long and straight, whilst the teens wore ponytails whether they were short or long. For women who saw themselves as "sophisticated," they wore permanent waves, otherwise known as "perms," which were popular among celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Doris Day. Everyday women could create more adventurous and glamourous hairstyles because hairsprays and rollers were available for home use.

Most women desired to have the unblemished appearance of the stars they saw on television and on film. This included creating a pale, mask like complexion using foundation and powder. Eyebrows were worn much thicker and often highlighted using an eye brow pencil to create a look similar to that of Marilyn Monroe. In the mid-fifties cat like eye liner (wings) was a very important part of the look. It did not matter what length, size, height or thickness the wings were as long as they were present. For the regular housewife, lip shapes were drawn quite natural, following the shape of the lips, however the movie stars preferred to draw their top lip to create a "fuller look." Most wore bright cherry red colours until the late end of the fifties where titanium was added to create subtler tones.

The era saw swim wear become much more fitting and curvaceous, highlighting a lady's hourglass look. Swimsuits resembled a corset as provided shape and support. Suits included both strapless one pieces with the apron style from the 40's as well as bikini's with the belly button always hidden. As women's hair changed to shorter curled styles, swimming caps also were important to protect

Grease Influences - Poodle Skirts, Polka Dots, Bobby Socks,
Rockabilly Influences - Tattoos, Bandannas, Jeans, Pin Up Dolls, Wedge Heels, Extreme Hair Style & Rolls,
Mad Men Tv Series - Bringing It Back To Traditional Fashions And Styles Written In The Article.

Article Researched And Written By Miss Suzie Aka Hello Kitty

Some More Links For The Enthusiast:
50′s Pinterest / Dresses / Mad Men Fashions / 100 Greatest Songs 1950′s / 50′s Sex Symbols / How To "Hair" / How To "Make Up" / 50′s Hosiery

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Ladies 50s Fashion - There's more to it than poodle skirts.

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"There's more to the 50's fashion than poodle skirts, neck scarves and pony tails." After the world war 2 had interrupted the evolution of fashion through the early 40's, the new trends in fashion were overdue. Fashion designers such as Christian Dior chose to change the silhouette of women's clothes for the 1950's.

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American influenced men's fashion was short lived yet lasted throughout the decade. Teenagers were inspired by actors like Marlon Brando and James Dean from films such as "Rebel without a Cause" and "The Wild One". To achieve the 'rebel, cool guy' look, they wore blue denim jeans, leather jacket and boots, a white shirt and sunglasses. Towards the end of the decade, the classic teenage look was inspired by Elvis Presley, where they would grow their hair out to a 'duck tail' with long side burns. They would wear bright colours and flashy suits and unbuttoned and up turned collars became common (reflecting the shift to informality) and considered fashionable.
Adult fashion was quite simple, setting them apart from the immature teenagers. It consisted of dark/dull shades of blue, brown and grey and may be considered to be 'business-like'. It was also common for them to have little facial hair and clean-cut hair. However, towards the end of the era, British influence caused teenagers to adopt a suit and tie look with high-waisted, narrow trousers, long jackets, slim ties and shiny pointed shoes- this closed the gap between mens fashion of the age groups.

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Men fashion during the 1950s was mainly influenced by americans in flims such as "The Wild One" or "Rebel Without A Cause". This meant that teenagers during the 1950s dressed like famous actors such...

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The 'Fit and Flare' dress:
The 1950s style focused on accentuating the hips and small waists. Like many dresses of the the time, dresses were printed, knee-length and had either halter neck, shirt-button or square necklines intended to show the collarbone.

Poodle Skirt:
Full swinging skirts often decorated with appliqués and made to flare out at the knee. The poodle skirt became the defining image of 'the 1950s gal' as it demonstrated the ideal silhouette of the era, cinching in the waist and came in all sorts of vibrant styles and patterns. They were quite popular as they required no seams and no hemming making them quick and simple to make.

Cardigans:
Cardigans of the 1950s were cropped to compliment small waists and were bright with pretty beaded or embroidered embellishments.

Polka Dots/Gingham:
The 1950s saw the introduction of bright, vibrant colours and printed patterns. Polka dots and gingham (checked white and a bold colour) were defining patterns of the time.

Halter-necks:
Halter-neck dresses were designed to showcase the '50s' silhouette, small waist and accentuated collarbones and shoulders. Silk scarves were often also worn to achieve the same effect.

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We might be enjoying something of a love affair with the '90s right now, with its Matrix glasses and slip dresses, and the occasional side-fling with the ' 80s, scrunchies and neon included, but the next big decade to swing through our fashion lens will be a little more rock and roll.

Runways, and the odd celeb showing, have confirmed one of our long-standing suspicions: the '50s are back in fashion.

Whether it's the long-awaited return of the vintage poodle skirt, or Balenciaga heralding the revival of the gingham overcoat, several '50s staples have made their way from the history books onto the runways.

Designers including Balenciaga, Carolina Herrera, Alexander McQueen and Calvin Klein have helped to kickstart the revival, sending hand-embroidered fit-and-flares, cropped merino sweaters, and Swiss Rebel-inspired back-combed quiffs down the runway to pique our interest.

Celebrities also had a hand in re-establishing the trend. Miley Cyrus, stepping away from her wilder Bangerz phase, has gone swiftly down the path of '50s rockabilly to promote Younger Now. Sporting barrel-curl buns and diner-cowboy get-ups, her Younger Now video clip is built around a swinging '50s vibe.

Serena Williams also eschewed modern fashion to embrace the '50s for her baby shower in 2017. The '50s-themed shower included an avalanche of poodle skirts, cropped shirts, bandana-wrapped updos and red lips.

So it comes as no surprise that we'll be welcoming it back into our wardrobes for the new season. Here, seven '50s trends you'll be seeing in every diner and milk bar very, very soon.

If the '50s left just one piece behind as its decadal pièce de résistance, it was the fit-and-flare dress. Mid-century trends were all about showcasing a tiny waist, and then throwing out the skirt shape to accentuate the hips. '50s dresses were often printed, knee-length and came with halterneck, shirt-button or square necklines, made to show off a bit of collar-bone.

The likes of Alexander McQueen, Carolina Herrera, and Undercover have all embraced that returning shape, showing classic silhouettes in their latest collections.

Even though midi lengths, wrapped styles and iterations with splits up to there have dominated trends in 2018, a '50s revival will mark the rise of the poodle skirt. Often in pink or powder blue, poodle skirts were swing skirts made to flare out around the knees. Modern takes, from Calvin Klein, Molly Goddard and Hailwood, focus more on solid colours and fanciful pleats. No garish appliqués need apply.

In recent times we have welcomed the return of the cardigan with open arms. But that iteration of the knitted staple-most often in a longer shape, with a slightly slounchy feel to them-is a step away from the '50s blueprint. Now, the cardis are back to their original fine form: cropped, bright, and worn charmingly about the shoulders.

If the '50s loved anything, it was a print. And polka dots reigned supreme-from black and white, to red and blue, dots were the spot du jour. Nowdays, they're blown out and all over. From silk kaftans at Mother of Pearl, to reversed fits at G.V.G.V., spots are back in.

The other pattern to rebound is gingham. It's been on our radars recently as a go-to in swimwear and summer styles, but Balenciaga last season returned it to the overcoat throne it ruled in '53. Labels like AKIKOAOKI have also helped to add a sense of wearability, in the form of blouses and dresses.

One of fashion's most divisive fashion trends, the halterneck, is also making its way back into our closets. Temperley London and Vivienne Westwood were among the designers championing the return of shoulder-baring dresses, often paired with squared off necklines and cinched waists-of course.

Nothing says 'I'm ready for the '50s revival' like the humble silk scarf. Ladies of the decade often wore theirs wrapped around barrel-curls, tied off at the top, Tupac-style, whilst others preferred their printed fancies tied around the neck. We're okay with either-and so are Manish Arora and Julianna Bass.

If you've a want to keep your outfit within the modern era (give or take a decade or two), a carefully-styled hairstyle is a great way to inject some '50s vibe into your look without donning a swing skirt. Allison Williams proved the power of a glossy pincurl at the Oscars, pairing a deep part with some shoulder-grazing waves. Miu Miu, meanwhile, sent back-combed bouffants and beehives down the runway, paying homage to '50s Euro rebels. These two looks take a pretty good swing at encapsulating the two ends of the decade's spectrum. Pick your poison.

Interested in infusing your wardrobe with a little flare? Here, our top buys of the decade.

Dress, $1,180, HVN at matchesfashion.com.au; Blouse, $493, Deitas at net-a-porter.com.au.

Skirt, $329, Ganni at mytheresa.com; Dress, $456, Saloni at net-a-porter.com.

Dress, $971, Mansur Gavriel at net-a-porter.com; Scarf, $63, Rag & Bone at theoutnet.com.

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Why The '50s Are Swinging Back Into Fashion

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We might be enjoying something of a love affair with the '90s right now, with its Matrix glasses and slip dresses, and the occasional side-fling with the ' 80s, scrunchies and neon included, but the next big decade to swing through our fashion lens will be a little more rock and roll.

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The British dominated Australian society with over one million migrants settling in Australia between 1945 and 1972. However, 1945 marked a turning point in Australian history due to a change in focus on American society due to their presence during WW2. As a result, the 1950s saw a shift from conservatism and formality of the 1940s, instead fashion became freer, looser and more informal. Dressing 'for show' also became more widely accepted between both sexes as well as being more fashion conscious.

One of the main accessories of the 1950s were womens' hats, adding a touch of glamour and sense of completion to an outfit. In particular, the pillbox hat (a small hat with a flat crown, no brim and straight upright sides), initially popularised by Balenciaga  and hats with floral patterns.

Gloves remained an essential part of a women's outfit- seen as making her properly and completely accessorised. White or cream coloured gloves were most popular although they were worn in a variety of colours. Gloves were primarily made of cotton, a cheaper material although almost every woman owned a pair of 'special' leather gloves. Additionally, fur was added to all cuffs and collars to add a touch of class to outfits.

Stiletto shoes are seen as a trademark of 1950s fashion. It made its debut at a Dior fashion show in 1952, complete with a pointed toe and metal-tipped heel. By the mid- 1950s, Winkle pickers (pointed toe shoes with up to 5 inch heels) became quite common.