Fashion in the 50s - The Three Staples of 1950s Vintage Clothing

The fashion of the 1950s represented a revolution from the austeric, militaristic fashion of the 1940s. Designers, like Christian Dior, pushed the envelope catapulting women's fashion into a fun, hip, and chic era that still heavily influences today's fashion.

Christian Dior is to blame (or credit) for the fashion of the 50s - especially the early 1950s. Women in the early 50s were craving a more elegant, sophisticated look compared to the nearly militaristic looks of the 40s - and Dior did not disappoint. In 1947, Dior's Corolle line was dubbed "the new look" by Life Magazine and soon caught fire carrying into the 50s. The new look featured a fitted jacket, with a nipped in waist, and a full-length calf skirt. Despite, both the British and U.S. governments advising women not to wear the new outfits - due to the excessive use of fabric - the style caught on and dominated the early 1950s.

In the mid-1950's, women's fashion took a decisive turn from the formality of the 1940's to the more fun and carefree fashion of the late 50's and early 60s. This time period was characterized by form-fitting wiggle skirts, shirtwaist dresses, and ornate cardigan sweaters. All three staples of 50s vintage fashion emphasized a nipped waist, as in Dior's design, but made the look less formal and added fun plaid elements, as well as, ornate embroidery. This fun, yet chic, fashion trend would ultimately dominate the late 50s and set the stage for the major fashion trends of the 60s.

The 1950s saw a revolution in fashion design and attitude, characterized by a number of fashion trends that still influence today's fashion:

• Sexy swimsuits. The 50s saw an increase in the sexiness of women's swimsuits. Most likely, as a rebellion from the conservative trends of the 40s, women in the 50s sought sexier, more revealing swimsuit styles and designers delivered.
• Form-fitting dresses. The 50s also an increase the number of form-fitting dress styles. Started by Christian Dior, designers began introducing sexier, tighter-fitting styles that highlighted a womens' curves.
  
• Bright colors. Again, most likely in rebellion to the conservative nature of fashion in the 1940s, the 50s saw a rise in the number of styles with bright colors and ornate designs - especially, in the later part of the 50s as fashion took on a fun, carefree attitude.