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Post World War II, the US was in a heated stand off with Russia which created an overarching theme of political anxiety in the United States. Besides the fear of nuclear weaponry, Americans feared the threat of communism in the United States. This lead to a mad prosecution of suspected communists known as “McCarthyism” which further reiterated the “perfect American” who was far from the influence of Russia. This movement is entertainingly described in the song “The Communists Have the Music” by They Might Be Giants
#theredscare #politics

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They Might Be Giants - The Communists Have the Music (Official Video)

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“It was a QUEER, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York”(Plath 1, ch. 1). Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Were suspected of spying for the Soviet Union who was communist at the time. Since there was such high tension in the United Stated because of communism they were sentenced to death and executed.
#deathpenalty #history

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In light of the recent Brown V. Board of Education Supreme Court Case requiring all public schools to desegregate, the civil rights movement lead by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made strides towards civil justness. However, this movement was met with harsh and violent backlash from politicians and citizens alike. This tension and bigotry lead the the KKK coming to an all time high in membership, member of sympathizers, and terrorism. The Klan members killed and terrorized innocent black Americans with practically no prosecution, as many politicians and police personal where themselves Klan Members. None the less, the movement persisted into the fallowing decades.
#racism #history #civilrights #blm

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http://voffka.com/archives/2009/10/27/056125.html

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The 1950s characterized an introduction of new synthetic fabrics. Mostly used in women’s underwear, leisure wear, and sportswear, fabrics such as nylon and spandex created a practical solution to issues prevented with cotton. Being light, warm, quick-drying, and low-shrinkage, the “Nylon Revolution” took off with a boom with help from the influence of designers such as Dior, Fath, and Pierre Balmain
#fashion #nylons

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Elvis Presley was a huge fashion influencer of the 1950’s. He created a culture of denim and sideburns that were previously seen as “gangster or hoodlum”.
#Elvis #rock #rocknroll #music

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https://witness2fashion.wordpress.com/tag/nylons-nylon-stockings-1950s-1960s/

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Crew cuts were the most popular hair cuts in the 1950’s
#hair #barber #mensstyle

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley_on_film_and_television#/media/File:Elvis_Presley_Jailhouse_Rock.jpg

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Mamie Eisenhower
https://thesouthern.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/mamie-eisenhower-was-the-picture-of-a-1950s-homemaker/article_2f0e7605-3438-555c-8161-cccdef143ba7.html

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Mamie Eisenhower was Dwight D Eisenhower’s wife who at the time was president. Mamie usually wore frocks witch was the “normal” outfit the average women wore at the time. By being the presidents wife and following the fashion norms of the time she became an influence woman looked up to.
#politics #fashion #firstlady #Eisenhower

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https://globalimages.art/products/marilyn-monroe-millionaire-hollywood-by-frank-worth-promo

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After the Second World War, the US was in a good economic state and the love for the homeland was at a high. With the TV set becoming more common in homes, Hollywood appeared in living rooms across the country. Stars like Doris Day, Marilyn Monroe, and James Dean where household names who portrayed the glamor of the silver screen.
#movies #tv #hollywood

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Rock and Roll was created in America in the early 1950’s and originated from black gospel or jazz singers. It quickly became an obsession with most Americans and created a whole decade that centered around rock and roll and its artists. The rock and roll artists became so well known most of their names are still known around the world. Artists such as Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, and Chuck Berry
#RocknRoll

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Elvis Presley "Hound Dog" (October 28, 1956) on The Ed Sullivan Show

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Doris day was on of the most popular film stars in the 1950’s and helped to disassemble gender notions previously had before by starting in the film Calamity Jane. This movie featured a strong female lead who was well respected by the other characters in the movie. She was a huge influence for young females who did not conform to gender roles.
#hollywood #acting #vintage #movies

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https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/doris-day-picture-id517368016?s=2048x2048uge

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. A strapless elasticized slip which, in the course of wear, had lost its elasticity, slumped into my hand. I waved it, like a flag of truce, once, twice. . . The breeze caught it, and I let go (Plath 59, ch 11). This quote describes the elastic fabric that became popular in the 50s. She waves it in the air, catching the breeze. This shows how light the fabric was, one of the main reasons for its popularity.
#clothes #dresses #womensfashion #SylviaPlath

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The sack dress was a mostly shapeless dress that was criticized much during its time. It became popular in 1956 and was a huge fashion trend. It’s name was later changed to the shift dress because of the constant ridicule of the name.
#fashion #1950s #women

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https://no.pinterest.com/pin/143341200611296946/

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https://s.ecrater.com/stores/220838/4fb261a218e52_220838b.jpg

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Girls dresses, specifically for toddlers, where high cut and unshaped, except for the outward flow of the skirt. This allowed for mobility to play and easy diaper changing while still maintaining a soft and girlish look. Pastel-colored overalls where also popular paired with a white blouse. Older girls whore knee-length dresses often paired with a knit sweater or a one piece play suit in he summer months.
#childrensclothes #vintage

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After the general disorder and disconnect of the Second World War and the Great Depression, the family unit became a centerpiece of American society. With the average age of women to be married dropping to 20, couples had large familys that where managed by the strict division of roles between gender. Men where the “bread winners” of the family, bringing in the dough from the newly booming economy, managing finances, and representing the household. Meanwhile, women took on a subservient role focused on cleaning, cooking, parenting, and and managing the home. For women, this drastic change of roles from working during war time to being a house wife lead to a spike in depression or “trapped housewife syndrome” and was represented by an increase in the prescription of antidepressants and setatives for women.
#women #men #genderroles #nuclearfamily

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The iconic grey flannel suit was an essential for a man’s appearance in the 50s. From cocktail parties, to the workplace, to the home, this versatile outfit gave men a masculine and put-together appearance, a staple of the time.
#Fashion #1950s #MensSuit

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https://fabrickated.com/2015/01/20/the-sheath-dress-what-it-is-and-how-to-fit-it/

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Hats and gloves were seen as important fashion accessories in the 1950’s women. An outfit wasn’t considered complete without a pillbox hat and a nice pair of gloves. In the Bell Jar Esther mentions “they were all going to posh secretarial schools like Katy Gibbs, where they had to wear hats and stockings and gloves to class”(Plath 3, ch 1). This quote just goes to show the importance of hats and gloves for women in the 1959’s.
#hats #gloves #fashion #1950s

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“Here was a woman in terrible pain, obviously feeling every bit of it or she wouldn't groan like that, and she would go straight home and start another baby”(Plath 66, ch 12). This quote shows how woman were seen as meant to have and take care of children during the 1950’s. Esther is disgusted by the way woman are seen because she does not conform to typical gender roles.
#quote #SylviaPlath #BellJar

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Quote from “The Bell Jar” on men’s fashion

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Quote from “The Bell Jar” on men’s fashion

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“The thought of dancing with that little runt in his orange suede elevator shoes and mingy T-shirt and droopy blue sports coat made me laugh. If there's anything I look down on, it's a man in a blue outfit. Black or gray, or brown, even. Blue makes me laugh.” (Plath 8, ch 1)
This passage communicated how many people at the time, including the character Esther, found neatness very important in men’s dress. She describes his shirt as “mingy” and his jacket as “droopy” which immediately makes her lose interest in him, if she ever had any.
#quote #SylviaPlath #fashion #1950s

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Baker, Patricia. Fashions of a Decade. 4th ed., The 1950s, Chelsea House Publishers, 2007.

Reddy, Karina. “1950-1959.” Fashion History Timeline, Fashion Institute of Technology, 2 June 2019, fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1950-1959/.

Cohen, Richard J. “Ku Klux Klan: A History of Racism.” Southern Poverty Law Center, Southern Proverty Law Center , 1 Mar. 2011, www.splcenter.org/20110228/ku-klux-klan-history-racism.

History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Historian, Women in Congress, 1917–2006. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2007. “Postwar Gender Roles and Women in American Politics,” https://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/WIC/Historical-Essays/Changing-Guard/Identity/ (April 15, 2021)

Palmer, Robert. “The 50s: A Decade of Music That Changed the World.” Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2020, www.rollingstone.com/feature/the-50s-a-decade-of-music-that-changed-the-world-229924/.

Sessions, Debbie. “Vintage Children's Clothing Pictures & Shopping Guide.” Vintage Dancer, Vintage Dancer, 17 Mar. 2018, vintagedancer.com/vintage/vintage-childrens-clothing/.
https://vintagedancer.com/vintage/vintage-childrens-clothing/

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Overalls and sailor suits where essential for toddler boys’ dress. Brown or black leather shoes where also popular for little ones. For older boys,  belted jeans and button up shirts where common. Fun designs where added to the shirts to make them more youthful. In teenagers, the “James Dean” look was popular, equipped with jeans, a white tee shirt, and a red jacket.
#childrensclothes #vintage

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https://vintagedancer.com/vintage/vintage-childrens-clothing/

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Babies, until about 1 year old, often wore a “sleep sack” which is a loosely fitted gown that draped down past the feet along with socks. Baby shoes where hardly ever used. There was rarely any gendering of clothing before the age of 1, so most patterns where kept simple and made great hand-me-downs.
#babyclothes #vintage

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https://vintagedancer.com/vintage/vintage-childrens-clothing/

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https://www.goretro.com/2018/05/when-ladies-wore-gloveseverywhere.html