“Beauty is a terrible force,” said not the beauty Faina Ranevskaya at all. And she was right. This beautiful power has always been adopted by every woman at all times. Ideals and standards are dictated by fashion. Now, while reviewing grandmother’s photos, modern women of fashion say: “My grandmother is in trend.” Why? The fashion of the 50s, like history, is cyclical. Let's talk about the trends of the past and the present.
Women's fashion 50 years: the heyday of fashion
The 40s in fashion is a stagnant period. As soon as they ended, they were replaced by the fashion of 50 years: feminine, elegant, bright and extravagant. Women are tired of the war. They wanted to be beautiful again.
For the first time, models in dresses with a full skirt and chiseled pencil skirts entered the world catwalks. It was in the 50s that Christian Dior rose to the fashionable pedestal. He introduced a new trend in fashion - New Look. His collection has conquered every woman in the world.
Rounded shoulders, a high bust, a slim waist, puffy midi skirts, handbags, gloves, hats and elegant high-heeled shoes are the main features of the fashion of the 50s.
After the simple and concise clothes worn by women in wartime, all fashionistas wanted to wear an abundance of fabrics, put on soft silhouettes, emphasizing femininity. However, at the time, Mabel Riding, England’s famous feminist, said the new silhouette was a “bird in a golden cage.” But that is exactly what women wanted after the war: guarded and a little frivolous.
Women from high society are so fond of the new direction that they changed their images several times a day. Fashion magazines of the 50s helped girls to navigate and not get lost in fashionable abundance. The pages of fashion magazines immediately offered a full-fledged image for different occasions. For example, to meet guests at home - a narrow velor dress, suede boats and stockings. To exit - a gray flannel dress and coat, a hat and gray gloves made of suede, as well as a lacquered gray bag and an umbrella in color.
Each proposed image was accompanied by a description. So, all the details of the outfit were indicated: from the collar to the necessary perfumes. By the way, the rules of conduct were also attached. These rules had to be followed implicitly.
But the housewife in the 50s personified the era of "economic miracle." Without makeup and dress, she could not even open the door to the postman. What to say about a spouse? The true woman had to get up to her husband for an hour and put on makeup, do the styling and choose an outfit. About not appearing to her husband wearing makeup and with a bun on her head, there was not even a word.
50s style icons: Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe.
They were oriented, imitated.
Post-war fashion
Turned and neat - this was the Fashion of 50 years. Dresses are always fitted, and regardless of the skirt: lush or narrow. The hourglass form is at the peak of popularity. The neckline has always been emphasized with wedge-shaped cutouts.
To highlight the wasp waist used straps. The thinner the waist, the woman was considered more beautiful. And as accessories were fashionable small handbags in the form of a canoe.
Corsets were very popular. Worn this attribute, even thin beauties. The image was thought over literally to the smallest detail.
As for the color, I immediately want to say: bright and colorful. However, solid pastel colors were also trending. The most popular colors for women's clothing were red, beige, white and gray. Of course, the business lady wore mostly gray shades. But the daring fashionistas were not so conservative. They happily combined bright colors. For example, blue with green, green with white or red.
Prints while never relevant: geometric, floral, graphic.
So women experimented in Europe, in the USSR there was a slightly different picture. The war greatly affected the fashion industry. The difficult economic situation, there were not even necessary things and food. What to say about fashion? What dresses? However, Soviet people are the most powerful in spirit. Despite economic difficulties, the people were happy - because the war was over. Soviet women are enterprising, so they began to alter the old pre-war dresses.
In the post-war period, Model Houses began to be opened in the USSR. Regina Zbarskaya is the most famous fashion model and idol of women in the Soviet Union.
Of course, the Soviet woman was guided by Christian Dior fashion shows, fashion magazines, but she could not afford to buy such an outfit. Yes, however, there was nowhere to buy. Therefore, those ladies who had a sewing machine were considered the most fashionable. Landmark - Western fashion. Those people who traveled outside the USSR brought with them fashionable outfits and magazines. Despite the fact that the authorities condemned the West, it didn’t stop women from adopting the “Western gloss” style.
What are you wearing at 50?
Fashion 50 years required a woman to look great. Shoes are the final element in creating a fashionable image.
At first, bulky shoes were considered fashionable shoes, which did not “stick together” in an elegant way. Then the famous icon of the style of Marilyn Monroe was the first to file a heel. So, shoes became more accurate. They entered the history of fashion under the name of the heel “shock”. Outwardly, he was beveled. The heel stud was made of wood.
Soon, incredibly comfortable ballet flats appeared. Audrey Hepburn loved to wear them.
Dudes in life
In the bright 50s "dudes" entered the world of fashion. This subculture united all the boys and girls. They did not try to build communism, but tried to be dressed "with the needle."
Bright colorful dresses for girls, multi-colored suits in a cage or strip for guys. The fashion direction “dude” has gone down in history forever.
It is ironic that dudes annoyed ordinary people, for which they were often attacked.
Comb and comb
Bouffant, thick bangs, ponytail, patch chignon, curls - all this was fashionable. The main object of imitation was the famous Marilyn Monroe. Her styling was copied by both European fashionistas and Soviet.
Bouffant is a separate attribute that fully reflects the fashion world in the 50s. Ladies built on their heads a high volumetric hairstyle with a pile. And to get a long ponytail, we used false hair. Headbands and bandages are a must-have item that emphasizes femininity.
Where the arrows shot: make-up
To men's hearts that were struck by the charm of a woman! And there were red lips! Arrows and red lips - stylish at all times.
Wide black arrows emphasized long eyelashes, made the look more attractive. Cat eyes were popular.
As the main tone for the face, light tones of powder and shades of a natural shade were used.
An interesting feature of the 50s in makeup is the front sight. Her women drew in pencil. Outwardly, this detail looked like a mole.
Accessories
The fashion of the 50s became famous for the abundance of pearls. Such jewelry was worn even at home.
A graceful hat with a veil and feathers, satin ribbons made women even more elegant.
Long gloves are a permanent accessory in the 50s.
50s - in the 21st century?
Every thing from the 50s today is relevant and self-sufficient. For example, a fluffy bright midi skirt, complemented by a relaxed blouse - an excellent romantic look.
And for a business meeting - a loose sheath dress with a collar, pumps, in addition.
Today in the collections of Prada, Loewe, Rochas, Miu Miu, Fendi, Christian Dior you can see echoes of the fashion of the 50s. Hourglass silhouette, multi-layered look, pleated and corrugated skirt, striped or checked tweed suits, geometric and floral print, V-shaped neckline - that was and has become fashionable again.
Pay attention to the collections of Tory Burch, Chapurin, Dsquared2, Lena Hoschek, Roberto Cavalli,, Miu Miu, Dior - you will see an updated version of the fashion from the 50s.