Dior Wasp-Waist dress
Fashion trends
The 1950s was the first new decade for a post war Britain, with new housing and new towns
beginning to spring up around the country. Rationing ended in 1954 to the relief of the
nation, after the heavily rationed late 1940s. With restrictions lifted it was sometime
before the fashion industry was able to return to business as usual. Women were still
wearing the utilitarian styled clothing hanging on from war torn Britain. However, in
Paris the fashion house of Dior were lifting women’s spirits and hopes with their
ultra feminine haute couture designs, with hour glass silhouettes and designs using yards
of rationed fabrics. These designs brought delight to western women and brought shouts of
irresponsibility from governments!
The Look
The look inspired by the Paris designs, soon filtered through to the high streets and the
new shops catering for the feminine woman with this new silhouette to women nation wide.
Everything about the new look was feminine and emphasised the figure.
In formal day and evening wear; large shoulders, cinched in waists, full skirts or slim
pencil figure hugging skirts, all emphasised the waist and made a figure even where one
was an average shape now became instantly shapelier! Sunny, floral bright were the order
of the day for day wear and the design incorporated street scenes, a Paris café, and
artist, poodles and jazzy patterns.
For evening gowns were flowing billowing affairs or sleek skin tight sheaths, the wearer
barely able to walk in the tight skirts and stiletto heels!
Young women took to wearing trousers and the emphasis was on a casual street style. Jeans
became the craze for young men and women alike, as worn by film stars like James Dean and
Marlon Brando, in a meaner anti establishment mood, topped with t shirts, sloppy knitwear
and leather jackets. Men wore wide shouldered baggy single breasted suits, baggy trousers
with turn ups, accompanied by a very loud hand painted tie! (Now extremely collectible;
see News & Views page!). The films stars of the 1950s like Audrey Hepburn, Grace
Kelly, Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Reynolds and Natalie Wood became an
inspiration to the young masses and were copied in every guise and style as they appeared
in each film. This is not new to us in the 21st century but in 1950s this was new
phenomenon!
A little about Sara Wilson......
As a former fashion buyer and retail fashion manager Sara has a discerning eye for
authentic and classic items.
“I only seek out quality items for SARA’S ATTIC that incorporates authenticity
and a touch of practicality!
Whether you are an avid collector or enthusiast, attending a theme party or perhaps you
are looking for an original classic item to pep up your wardrobe, she hopes you find some
desirable items!
Most of the items of clothing in SARA’S ATTIC have been in storage for more than 25
years! Many items date from the swinging 1960’s through glitzy 1970’s to the
wannabee 1980’s, therefore these items have never been worn, many still have their
original labels attached and intact, some are in their original packaging. It was
necessary to have some items cleaned to maintain their condition and durability, others
were able to be left in their wrappings and bear a truly vintage odour, but never fear it
all comes out in the wash!
Should you have something special in mind contact Sara with the details and she will try
to source any item for you.
You may find it helpful to browse through her links page!
sarasattic.co.uk
