THE HOURGLASS SILHOUETTE!
The style adopted by women in the ’50s is best defined as feminine, sensuous and elegant. The hourglass figure was majorly highlighted by the outfits worn. As compared to the silhouettes of short skirts and wide shoulders worn in the forties, fashion in the fifties evolved to fuller calf-length skirts and soft shoulder lines that enhanced a woman’s figure. Dior launched a collection in 1947 which pretty much dictated the look of the fifties. The signature shape of the collection was categorized by dresses that had a below-mid-calf length, full-skirt, pointed bust, small waist, and rounded shoulder line.For formal wear during the day, tailored suits which combined peplum jackets with pencil skirts were in vogue. Women wearing dresses generally opted for patterns with full skirts and a fitted bodice. Shirtdresses which had bodices that resembled shirts were also extremely popular. Evening dresses often were of the same length as day dresses and were combined with a short, bolero jacket. Towards the mid-1950s the styles started taking a new turn with unfitted suits and dresses making an appearance. In 1955, Dior showcased an A-line dress and in the late 1950s Coco Chanel headlined with the Chanel suit, a braid-trimmed jacket styled after cardigan worn with an A-line skirt. The sheath dress with its straight cut and a slight A-line pattern also first saw popularity in the 1950s.
Popular styles of the 1950s!
The post-war period of the 1950s stands out in the history of fashion owing to some radical changes that came about. The minimalistic approach towards clothing that was taken in the earlier decade saw an end and there was a renewed passion for dressing up well, and with panache. Dressing up impeccably was a way of life. Fashion saw an emergence of consumer-driven attitude like never before. Some of the most famous names in fashion like Dior and Chanel launched some of their most iconic designs in the 1950s. New materials, textures, designs, as well as patterns gained popularity. The bikini, drain-pipe trousers, pedal-pushers were all introduced and gained popularity in the ’50s. With a generation that was ready to push the boundaries of style and fashion, there was a lot of innovative styles that became all the rage in the fifties.
Lessons to remember from the greatest fashion icon!
We, like many women before us, hereby declare Audrey Hepburn a classic style icon. Her closet was full of the many fashion staples women still swear by today: fitted pants, the “LBD,” cropped silhouettes and an envious assortment of hats and earrings. She wasn’t afraid to wear pants or a suit and always retained an aura of femininity with her outfit choices. But what we love best about Hepburn’s style was her hearty attitude. She was able to make such groundbreaking sartorial choices because she was confident in her own skin and didn’t take life too seriously.
Here are 3 essential style lessons you can learn from the legend…
1) Sometimes, a simple dress is all you need. You can let your natural features steal the attention.
2) Gloves add a touch of sophistication to any outfit.
3) Always accessorize! Hats, gloves or chukyjewellery all add glam to any outfit.
What Audrey Hepburn has to say about beauty:
“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair… True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows and the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”
This lesson from the legend herself surely speaks volumes. Inner beauty is not something that leaks in from the outside; it doesn’t matter if you’re wearing haute couture or have a perfect hairdo. True beauty, inner beauty, radiates from the inside out with the positive traits and qualities a person brings to the world and shares with the world. Audrey Hepburn’s true beauty came from her compassion, her kindness, and her devotion to others, and while she might have been wearing Chanel and Dior, it was those qualities that made her truly beautiful.
The Iconic Fit and Flare dress!
The fit-and-flare silhouette is a direct descendant of Christian Dior’s revolutionary “New Look,” introduced in the mid 20th century. The nipped-in waist has become a signature of American 50’s era style, but it originated with Dior’s first collection in 1947. At a time when French fashion was largely dominated by Coco Chanel’s influence, Dior’s ultra-feminine collection prompted Vogue editor-in-chief Carmel Snow to exclaim, “It’s such a new look!” It is indeed no doubt that since then this cut and shape has been a constant in every designer’s collection for the last 5 decades. They are also well suited for women of all ages. Afterall, how can you go wrong accentuating the smallest part of your waist by nipping it in! We think the fit and flare dresses are a must have staple in every woman’s wardrobe!
The whimsical powers of Vintage clothing!
We live in a throw away society, with millions of tonnes of clothing going to landfill sites around the world. it is now more important than ever for us to start altering the way we dispose of unwanted garments. There’s no better time than now to choose vintage and breathe new life into garments that would otherwise be destined for landfill. Raid your mother and your grandmother’s wardrobe for exicitng pieces that are back in fashion. If you get lucky and find a chanel or prada or dior item, it could be worth a lot more than what your grandmother bought it for.
There’s something romantic about vintage fashion; the stories behind the clothing is something that leaves you wondering about the wearer and their accomplishments, their lifestyle and the life changing events they might have faced; a 1920’s flapper girl, a 1940’s wartime woman or a 1980’s punk rocker. Vintage brings an element of discovery to dressing up, whilst filling wardrobes with individuality, eccentricity and quirkiness. Vintage fashion has an indescribable power to allure women into a whimsical, fairytale world where they have the ability to be whoever they want to be through the clothing they wear.
Grace Kelly, the forever icon!
Grace Kelly is the ultimate 1950s fashion icon. Here is what some fashion big wigs have to say about her ethereal beauty and trend-setting style instincts:
Tommy Hifiger: “When I branched out in women’s wear, I began to really study icons of style. Grace stood out. Style is enduring and forever. It’s something you cannot buy. There is a chic-ness to conservative style done in an elegant way. You know, we did a book called Grace Kelly: A Life in Pictures. We did this as an inspiration book, not only for ourselves. We find that the French are obsessed with her, and the Japanese are intrigued.”
Textile and Fashion curator at Victoria and Albert museum: “She didn’t necessarily lead fashion in a new direction, she’s become shorthand for a very polished and well-accessorised look. Contemporary designers like Zac Posen have talked about her timeless appeal. I think it boils down to quite ethereal ideas, because in some of her films she almost seemed like a goddess.”
Historian June Weir: “I think Grace Kelly was someone that came along at the right time, If she had come along in the 60s, or in the 40s, I don’t think it would have worked. She was the perfect 1950s beauty. Pastel colors, beautiful luxury fabrics, and very pretty necklines.”
Mad Men’s Costume Designer, Janie Bryant: “Every time I see Grace Kelly I’m influenced by what she wears. The simplicity, it is so classic, but its always dramatic.”