The "New Look" is most recognizable by its curvy shape and line, a far cry from its immediate predecessors.
Example of 50's fashion
Post-war turning point.
World War 2
In 1947 Christian Dior presented a fashion look with a fitted jacket with a nipped in waist and full calf length skirt. It was a dramatic change from wartime austerity styles.
Example of Christian Dior's Work.
This is called "The Bar".
World War 2: Post-War Period
During World War II and the 1940s, clothing was greatly influenced by rationing and limited quantities of fabrics, threads and needles, so the most popular look was a simple outfit using as little of these much in demand resources as possible.
World War 2 played a huge part in the social and economical factors during the 1950's. Although it was the post-war period, it still affected the era quite dramatically. The lack of resources (no longer mass-producting), caused there to be such a shortage.
Different styles throughout the 1950's
In the 1950s the world had to deal with the post war destruction and rebuilding of architecture from the German bombing.
Film and movie culture
Movies in America, England and in Europe to a lesser extent, movies drove fashion. Marlon Brando lurching about in Jeans & A T Shirt, James Dean in Jeans & T - Shirt, and then a host of Rock n' Roll singers/musicians in Jeans & T Shirts suddenly made casual Friday a possibility. (scene from Grease)
Audrey Hepburn was a well-known Actress, and a major fashion icon in the 1950's and throughout
