The 50s decade was a defining period in women fashion; a classic and yet adventurous time. With the emergence of post-war America’s new prosperity, fashion assumed the role of self-expression and cultural identity. The 1950s Women’s Fashion can be remembered as being incredibly depicted in terms of silhouettes, detailed work and a return to traditional femininity, which further played a role in influencing the modern style. In this post, we shall discuss the major trends of this iconic decade and how women in the 1950s remain a source of inspiration nowadays.
The Return to Femininity: The Hourglass Shape.
The one aspect of the fifties fashion among women that was most obviously identified was the focus on the hourglass figure. The appearance and style were changed by other designers like Christian Dior who came up with a new look that was characterized by tight waistlines, full skirts, and rounded shoulders. It was concerned with creating a hyper-feminine image that idealized curves as opposed to pragmatic fashion styles of the preceding ten years.
This was the period that corsets and tight-waisted dresses were adopted in an effort to enrich the figure and full voluminous skirts were usually made to accompany them. The designs were the polar opposite of the more practical designs of the war years where women were dressed in utilitarian designs to support the workforce. The hourglass shape was attached to the glamour and elegance of the 1950s women fashion which sought to bring the ordinary life back to a glamorous and elegant state.
Great Fashion Designers and Influencers of the 1950s.
The 1950s women fashion would not be remembered as it is without the great designers and celebrities of the time. Christian Dior, Coco Chanel and Hubert de Givenchy were important in the fashion industry. With New Look, launched in 1947 Dior remained in control all through the decade. It also incorporated costly materials such as silk and taffeta and this brought the concept of a woman wardrobe to a high fashion level.
Meanwhile, the household names were such actors as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly and these were the fashion stars who portrayed the owners of the sophisticated and fashionable look. The black dress that was worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is an icon and it is worshiped even today as one of the most popular dresses of all time. Such ambitious women entrenched the notion of style, sophistication and grace that was rife among the women in the 1950s fashion industry. Decades later, female fashion in the 90s embraced a more relaxed and minimalist vibe, with slip dresses, crop tops, and high-waisted jeans defining everyday style.
Textiles and Hues: Small Business and Fancy.
During the 1950s, the design of clothing of women was partly determined by the choice of fabric. High fashion came to include soft luxurious fabrics such as wool, taffeta, satin and silk. It was through these materials that dresses and skirts acquired their unique structure, usually used to provide fullness and volume in the skirt which was the fashion of the time.
The material was not merely about physical attractiveness, it was also comfortable. The fashion of women in the 1950s tried to find a compromise between style and convenience, presenting such garments that gave the possibility of movement and at the same time being highly sophisticated. This combination of quality and comfortability contributed to 1950s fashion of women being more of a goal and reachable by many.
The Casual Wear: Joys of Day and Night.
Although the era in question is usually related to the flashy evening gowns and formal dresses, the development of casual dresses in women was also observed in the 1950s. As the social fraternity changed and women became more engaged outside the family, fashion also changed and offered new designs which could fit the daily work of women in the contemporary world.
Capri pants, blouses, poodle skirts, and cardigans became permanent parts of daily clothing. Although formal clothing was still perceived in the evening outings, casual clothes were now considered to be a significant aspect of the women fashion of the 1950s during activities in the daytime. This easy way to dress contributed to reinventing what it is to be a woman in the 1950s making it elegant and comfortable in new and unusual ways.
The History of the Evolution of Accessories in the 1950s.
The 1950s were the years of accessories being as important as the clothes. The accessories of women were used in order to make an outfit greater and gave a final touch which could make any look better. The 1950s fashion of women witnessed the emergence of daring pearls, gloves, scarves and hats being part of a fashionable woman wardrobe.
Worn as necklaces, bracelets, or earrings, the pearls became the symbol of wealth and status. Gloves were especially suitable in combination with dresses or formal wear, which covered the dresses with an aura of refinement, whereas headscarves and hats were both fashionable and convenient. The accessories were a tribute to the attention to detail that the age paid, and each aspect of a woman was important.
1950s Women’s Fashion in Cinema and Pop Culture
The impact of the movies and pop culture on the fashion of women in the fifties cannot be overestimated. The image of the beauty and glamour of those times was not only determined by such actresses as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Grace Kelly but also defined the meaning of what was fashionable. The white Monroe dress in the film The Seven Year Itch has become one of the iconic dresses in movie history.
These actresses left a mark on popular culture and their dressing styles had an effect on millions of women across the world. Hollywood was the place of ultimate fashion idols and the movie star style of glamour became the standard of the 1950s feminine fashion.
How 1950s Fashion Continues to Inspire Today
Despite the time passing, the fashion that was worn by women in the 1950s is still viewed as a source of inspiration by designers and fashion enthusiasts. Most of the modern designers apply the sophisticated yet light fashion of the period; they employ complete skirts, corsetry and feminine lines during the modern collections.
Retro style has been revived in recent years and a large number of women are trying to adopt the grace and beauty of the 1950s. The impact of the 1950s women fashion is still present in whatever form whether it is in the vintage inspired fashion or the new interpretation of the old 1950s patterns.
How the Fashion of the 1950s Women impacted the current-day Wardrobes.
The 1950s Women’s Fashion is still present in the current wardrobes today. High-waisted trousers, dresses that are vintage in flair, and many other items available in the contemporary market are all a tribute to the trend of this legendary decade. The re-emerging vintage fashion has seen the 1950s-inspired products become popular with the young and older generations trying to find inspiration in this time.
It may be the romanticism of the full skirts of those times or it may be the straightness of a tailor-made dress but the fashion of the women of the 1950s possesses the classic appeal, which is still relevant even in the 21st century.
FAQ’s
What was the main trend in women fashion in the 50s?
The hourglass figure which was focused on, the thin waist, the full skirts, and the rich materials that beautified the female body were the most significant female fashion tendencies in the 1950s.
What was the role of Hollywood in the fashion of the 1950s?
The Hollywood actors like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn turned into fashion idols and the most popular dress of Marilyn Monroe was the one that changed the fashion of the fifties.
What were the trends of accessories during the 1950s?
The accessories were fashionable with the 1950s women who included pearls, gloves, a headscarf, and hats which made the outfit more elegant and sophisticated.
What is the effect of the 1950s fashion on contemporary clothes?
The inspiration that permeates the contemporary fashion is the 1950s and the vintage style fashions such as full-skirts, corsetry and high-waisted pants are still trending even in today.
What were the popular fabrics in women fashion in the 1950s?
Some of the material worn by women in the 1950s included silk, satin, taffeta and wool which gave the clothes a structure and comfort.
Conclusion
The femininity, sophistication and elegance of 1950s Women’s Fashion have remained a classic image of the same. The iconic figures of the age, the expensive materials and enduring accessories have produced an imprint in the fashion industry that has influenced the past and the present trends in the fashion industry. As we all forge into the past to find inspiration, the 1950s is a special view of what it was like in the past where fashion was not necessarily about clothes but giving identity and social status. The traditional 1950s fashion of women still influences the contemporary style, which means that it will remain in fashion history in the years to come.