The 50s
Almost completely recuperating from WWII, the country began to become more prosperous and people became confident enough to begin spending more. American fashion was finally becoming popular around the world because of easier ways of exporting goods. The United States began to have a bigger impact on the world affecting fashion around the world.
Also, as American families began stabilizing themselves, most women returned to their homes to attend to their “womanly duties” like being a housewife. The media strongly supported this movement by portraying women at home or in the kitchen. It wasn’t feminine, according to many, to work outside the home. The new fashion was shaped to show a woman’s fragility with soft features. No more shoulder pads and the skirts were either loose fitted or pencil skirts. The waist was tight bringing back the hour-glass shaped body. Heels were a necessity and wrist-length gloves regained popularity. Small hats with veils also became popular.
Men continued to wear suits. The image of the “Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” became the image of the average American man. The look was very neat and clean. Simplicity was the way to go.
Teenagers began to set their own defined style. They didn’t want to try to be adults, but they also didn’t want to be children. They expressed this through music and fashion. Rock and roll was “rebellious” and attracted teens. New fashion trends began to emerge. The leather jacket became popular and “rebellious” girls began to wear pants. Girls who didn’t wear pants began wearing fuller, wider skirts that made it easy to dance in. Guys began to grease up their hair into pompadours. There was no real cause to this sudden change. It was just a bunch of American teenagers trying to be able to identify themselves.
Also, as American families began stabilizing themselves, most women returned to their homes to attend to their “womanly duties” like being a housewife. The media strongly supported this movement by portraying women at home or in the kitchen. It wasn’t feminine, according to many, to work outside the home. The new fashion was shaped to show a woman’s fragility with soft features. No more shoulder pads and the skirts were either loose fitted or pencil skirts. The waist was tight bringing back the hour-glass shaped body. Heels were a necessity and wrist-length gloves regained popularity. Small hats with veils also became popular.
Men continued to wear suits. The image of the “Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” became the image of the average American man. The look was very neat and clean. Simplicity was the way to go.
Teenagers began to set their own defined style. They didn’t want to try to be adults, but they also didn’t want to be children. They expressed this through music and fashion. Rock and roll was “rebellious” and attracted teens. New fashion trends began to emerge. The leather jacket became popular and “rebellious” girls began to wear pants. Girls who didn’t wear pants began wearing fuller, wider skirts that made it easy to dance in. Guys began to grease up their hair into pompadours. There was no real cause to this sudden change. It was just a bunch of American teenagers trying to be able to identify themselves.