1945-1960 in fashion

Fashion from 1945-1960 was dominated by nylon, beehive hairstyles, and hot pink pumps. Also popular were petticoats.

When the French fashion houses reopened after World War II, Dior introduced the "New Look" silhouette. In some ways it duplicated the Antebellum look of the 1850s with a tight cinched waist and a natural shoulder line. Hemlines dropped to mid-calf, reflecting the easement of wartime fabric restrictions. There was an option of wearing a full skirt or a tight 'pencil' skirt. This was the prevailing fashon for the next ten years, until hemlines began to rise and a more futuristic egg-type silhouette began to appear in 1958.

1950s

The 1950s saw the birth of the teenager and with it rock n roll and youth fashion dominating the fashion industry. In the UK the Teddy boy became both style icons and anti-authoritarian figures. Whilst in North America Greasers had a similar social position. Previously teenagers dressed similar to their parents but now a rebellious and different youth style was being developed. this was particularly noticeable in the overtly sexual nature of their dress. Men wore tight trousers, leather jackets and emphasis was on long greasy hair.

See also

• Fashion design in the Forties
• Fashion design in the Fifties
• Teddy boy
• Ducktail
• Dior
• Greasers

History of fashion
Medieval	Byzantine · Early Medieval · Anglo-Saxon · 12th century · 13th century · 14th century
Renaissance and Reformation	15th century · 1500-1550 · 1550-1600 · 1600-1650 · 1650-1700
Enlightenment	1700-1750  · 1750-1795  · 1795-1820
Victorian	1820s · 1830s · 1840s · 1850s · 1860s · 1870s · 1880s · 1890s
Edwardian	1900s · 1910s
Modern	1920s · 1930-1945
Postwar and Cold War	1945-1960 · 1960s · 1970s · 1980s
Contemporary	1990s · 2000s

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