Hems fell and hems rose but the hourglass silhouette remained. As well as the full skirt, slender pencil skirts were worn too. Crinolines lifted and shaped full-circle skirts.

50’s fashion was regulated code, conformity and consumerism. Women’s focus was on rearing children and keeping house. Both men’s and women’s activities centered around family and home and clothing changed as a result. Emphasis was on practical but attractive housedresses, not just household chores but suitable for quick errands or the school run. Women dressed for ‘wifely’ roles!

 A female function was to entertain or attend social gatherings – all to promote and further their spouse’s career. Cocktail dresses – short versions of ball gowns – were essential. A woman was expected to wear a hat outside of the house (except for the most formal evening occasions) and gloves at all times – short for day, long for evening. Men tended almost to universally wear suits.

The second half of the 1950’s still emphasized women dressing for ‘their man.’ The economy boomed and travel became affordable, encouraging worldwide ethnic influences on fashion. Hawaiian textiles were popular for summer wear and Oriental brocades for formal wear. In the mid-50’s Balenciaga introduced the sack dress, a shapeless shift, which was far removed from the hourglass silhouette that had endured for a decade. In 1958, Yves Saint Laurent successfully presented the Trapeze Dress for the summer wear and Oriental brocades for formal wear. In the mid-50’s Balenciaga introduced the sack dress, a shapeless shift, which was far removed from the hourglass silhouette that had endured for a decade. In 1958, Yves Saint Laurent successfully presented the Trapeze Dress for the house of Dior. More structured than the sack dress, but still offering comfort and freedom, its look eventually evolved into the mid-60’s babydoll style.

Beatniks

As the trend for a beatnik look developed, oversized chunky long sweaters
with huge cowl collars were worn over slim fitting pencil skirts or slacks with
stirrups. The girls usually had a French pleat hairstyle or showed the start of
a beehive. Wearing all black was a favourite choice for beatniks.