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It would be worthless to talk about 1940s fashion without first understanding
the tremendous impact the Second World War had on the lives of people. Since social trends dictate fashion, the events of
World War II would change the world of fashion forever. In 1939, Germany invaded Poland and France and Great Britain declared
war on Germany and this sparked the Second World War that would rule the lives of people for the next 6 years. Because of
the war, Germans considered moving the French couture houses to Berlin. Since the United States entered the war in December
of 1941, which is more than two years later the war begun, the travel difficulties between Europe and continental America
meant that American designers would receive more attention from the press. Before this, Paris fashion trends were followed
in the States. 1940s fashion was
affected by the fact that many factories were given to producing military supplies with fashion taking second place. This
means fashion houses worked on restrictions on how much fabric per garment could be used. As soon as Paris was liberated,
fashion editors once again started to showcase their French designs again in magazines. The Paris couture once again became
the leader when Christian Dior showcased his ‘New Look’ of lengthened and widened skirts, a move that was a
reaction to the deprivation of fabric that was experienced during the war years. American designers had also begun to be
more prominent and to see them take a place in the world of fashion. In an effort to comply to the war yardage restrictions imposed on garments, American designers began to create a
new 1940s fashion of short skirts and short jackets that were less than 25 inches in length. This new fashion trend of the
40s replaced the long flowing gowns that had emerged in the previous decade. This conservative look would remain fashionable
through multiple seasons. Classic sportswear styles took hold on college campuses and were adopted by all levels of society
and age groups. The 1940s fashion would also see the emergence of separates that would create the illusion of more outfits.
This was seen with the transition of the separate pieces in women fashion, the bra and the girdle. The end of the severe
rationing of metal would also see the emergence of leather shoes studded with ‘nailheads’, a sign of opulence
and luxury. Interestingly, the classic look created in the 1940s fashion era never seems to go out of style. Wonder why?
Retro housewife
"We
spent the 80's and the 90's trying to do it all. Now we are tired, overworked and want to offer a different life plan.
We want to stay home, take care of our kids, our husbands and give them the attention they deserve." This site may not
be for everyone, but if you want to be a retro housewife, you have come to the right place! Welcome!
To
give your Retro home decorating theme a well thought out design style, you want to add a few decorative accessories. Think
about using fun retro pieces that enhance the fun and funky ambiance of yesteryear. Adding accessories like wall art, knick-knacks
and pillows can help compliment your retro décor.
Wall art is an important element in any interior design,
but your room will only look sharp if you situate it the right way. When hanging individual pieces, display the center of
the piece at eye level as the focal point. If you have a number of prints to place on one wall, work out the design on the
floor first to select the right arrangement. The Retro home decorating theme can be complimented with atomic clocks and artwork
which you should plan to put here and there.
Hubert de Givenchy opened his first couture house
in 1952 and created a sensation with his separates, which could be mixed and matched at will. Most renowned was his Bettina
blouse made from shirting, which was named after his top model. Soon, boutiques were opened in Rome, Zurich, and Buenos Aires.
A man of immense taste and discrimination, he was, perhaps more than any other designer of the period, an integral part of
the world whose understated elegance he helped to define.
Pierre Balmain opened his own salon in 1945. It was in a series of
collections named 'Jolie Madame' that he experienced his greatest success, from 1952 onwards. Balmain's vision
of the elegantly-dressed woman was particularly Parisian and was typified by the tailored glamour of the New Look, with its
ample bust, narrow waist, and full skirts, by mastery of cut and imaginative assemblies of fabrics in subtle color combinations.
His sophisticated clientèle was equally at home with luxurious elegance, simple tailoring, and a more natural look.
Along with his haute couture work, the talented businessman pioneered a ready-to-wear range called Florilege and also launched
a number of highly successful perfumes.
The realm of fashion design,
by its sheer glamour and grace, has always been exciting and intriguing. When we talk of fashion design, it implies a form
of art that incorporates the nuances of creating clothes and accessories. The history of fashion design can be traced back to the beginning of the19th century when the designs were the product
of the dresses worn in the royal courts. Eventually, Charles Frederick Worth, the first fashion designer, set up his first
fashion house in Paris. His designs greatly influenced the people and they labeled them as the designs of the "House
Of Worth." As a result, a designer became synonymous with a particular brand. Another important designer who made a significant
contribution to the evolution of the fashion was Paul Poi Ret. He blended the classical style consisting of aesthetic dressing
with Paris fashion. Other important designers of this age were Patou, Vionnet, Fortuny, Lanvin and Chanel.
Throughout the 20th century, Paris remained the world's fashion hub, with countries
such as the US and Britain openly aping the French designs. The post World War era saw the emergence of other countries as
the centers of fashion and Paris ceased to be the sole influential factor. The rising British fashion industry brought a new
range of street fashion focusing mainly on the young consumers.
Later, American designers such as Calvin Klein And Ralph Lauren came
to the fore with their sportswear and made it a style statement. Today, fashion designs can be categorized into two main categories.
The haute couture is designed for individual customers. The other category is the ready-to-wear collection. While the former
is based on certain themes and is more for creating a style statement, the latter is meant for the masses. The mid-90s saw
the emergence of a new breed of designers who redefined traditional concepts. They looked at fashion from a new angle, creating
their own new concepts. Thus, the world of fashion design has witnessed a steady evolution over the years and has been the
by-product of the sincere efforts of many of the top designers.
Fashion for real women follows function and form.
Women were '40s morale-boosters dresses had small waists, tight busts and full skirts. Women were expected to tighten
their belts; silk stockings disappeared when silk was used for parachutes and other wartime items, and women drew lines up
the backs of their legs with eyebrow pencils to simulate stocking seams. Thin figures were in: shoulder pads made their first
appearances on the female figure. Women's jobs were male jobs welding and soldering, building and production so, at work,
they were wearing costumes like coveralls and denims. Many women discovered the comfort and ease of wearing pants, and actresses
like Katherine Hepburn and Bette Davis made trousers for women into lasting trends.
Hairstyles have continued to
evolve over the last century and every decade seems to have its own look. Just as the look now is straight and sleek, the
look back in 1950s was more youthful. 1950's was a time of innovative and flamboyant hairstyles, some of which even today
continue to inspire hair artists. It was a time when there was peace and prosperity across the globe. The war had just ended
and unlike the utilitarian look that characterized the 1930s and the 1940s, the look of this time was more glamorous.
Back in the 1940s, the predominant style was feminine and romantic. With soft curls
falling onto the shoulders or long, wavy natural hair gently blowing in the breeze, the 1940s hairstyle was an invocation
of the eternal feminine form. This however was the look for the people in the higher rung of the society or a look reserved
for the evening parties. 1940s was a period when the world was going through a major economic crisis. This economic scenario
had forced many a woman to come out and work. The hairstyle of the time was thus practical and suited to workingwomen. At
that time, women mostly worked in farms or factories and hair products as shampoo were tough to acquire. In this scenario,
the look was strictly utilitarian and women wore their hair usually in a neat roll around the nape and over the ears, often
covered with a headscarf knotted. Styling lotions that held the hair in place was much in vogue. This all changed in the 1950s when the look became more glamorous. The essential aspiration
was to look like a domestic goddess, one who effortlessly did household work despite looking like a diva. In the early part
of the fifties, the ponytail was the most popular hairstyle. The casual yet chic look offered by the ponytail had many takers
among women. In the early part of the fifties, the look for the evening party was a French pleat or chignon. However, in the
later part of the fifties we see the origin of more elaborate and complicated hairstyles. Every woman during this time aspired
to look stylish and well groomed. This was the time when women were just returning to their homes after the demands of wartime.
Because of this reason, women now could spend more time on their make up and hairstyles. This led to an era of heavier makeup
and flamboyant hairstyle. As we see eyebrows, mascara and eyeliner
come to be applied more in the make up area, so also in the hair section, we see a lot of experimentation with hair. Straight
hair was absolutely out and beauty meant having curly or wavy hair. In fact, fifties was the time probability when the regular
womanly visit to the parlor for hair care and shampoo became must. As hair setting achieved magnum proportion with hair being
teased, sculpted, sprayed, permanently waved and forced into perfectly formed curls, more and more women started to spend
a lot of money on hair care products that were essential to maintain the "well groomed hair look".For men the look
was the greased back hairdo with heavy sideburns such as James Dean and Elvis had. Women on the other hand copied styles dictated
by Hollywood divas as Elizabeth Taylor and even the young Queen Elizabeth II. Other popular stars whose looks were copied
by almost all women were Leslie Caron, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Doris Day. Among the most popular hairstyles of the time was the poodle cut which seeked to frame the
face in a round fashion offering it an youthful demeanor. In fact, by end 1950s, hairdressing was a big industry and there
were about almost 30,000 new salons only in Britain. Elaborate hairstyles and hair rituals were the order of the day. From
gigantic back combed bouffants, beehives, and French pleats that were twisted in a fashion so as to form the intricate coiled
hairstyles, the look late 1950s for sure was dressy.Most of these styles are no longer in vogue now. Nonetheless, they continue
to remind you of an era when there was prosperity in the world and people had enough time as well as money to think and spend
on their hair.
Suspender belts can complete
a stocking set. Stockings were first introduced in 1940s; suspenders or garter belts came into fashion in 1950s. But at that
time, the stocking suspenders that were available in the market were made of laces and ribbons, thus making them uncomfortable
to wear. They were not at all practical as they were not durable. After
these ribbon suspenders, suspenders with clips were introduced. But even these were uncomfortable. The reason behind this
was that these could not hold the stockings for more than 20 minutes. The
main job of a stocking suspender or a garter belt is to hold up the stockings. And by keeping this purpose of a suspender
in mind, suspenders with metal clips were introduced. A majority of women found that the suspenders with metal clasps are
much better than plastic clasps, as these could actually grip the stockings and prevent them from falling.
For being comfortable, it is necessary to have a proper choice of stocking suspenders.
Suspenders usually come with either four or six straps. Good quality suspenders are comprised of different length straps on
the front, back and sides. If the belts have four straps, the back pair should be 2 inches longer than the front. But if you
are considering buying a six-strap suspender, then, the back pair should be longer than the side pair, which in turn has to
be one inch longer than the front pair. Sometimes, one gets skin
allergies with these suspenders - be they plastic or metal. A comfortable and practical stocking suspender should be of cotton,
as it remains in the place and the straps do all the grip work. The straps should be gently stretchy and not too thick and
loose. Many women believe that wearing stocking suspenders is much
better than wearing tights.
Flying in the face of continuity, logic, and erudite
sociological predictions, fashion in the 1950s, far from being revolutionary and progressive, bore strong nostalgic echoes
of the past. A whole society which, in the 1920s and 1930s, had greatly believed in progress, was now much more circumspect.
As fashion looked to the past, haute couture experienced something of a revival and spawned a myriad of star designers who
profited hugely from the rapid growth of the media.
Throughout the 1950s, although it would be for the last time,
women around the world always continued to submit to the trends of Parisian haute couture. Three of the most prominent of
the Parisian couturiers of the time were Cristobal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy, and Pierre Balmain. The frugal prince of
luxury, Cristobal Balenciaga Esagri made his fashion debut in the late Thirties. However, it was not until the post-war years
that the full scale of the inventiveness of this highly original designer became evident. In 1951, he totally transformed
the silhouette, broadening the shoulders and removing the waist. In 1955, he designed the tunic dress, which later developed
into the chemise dress of 1957. And eventually, in 1959, his work culminated in the Empire line, with high-waisted dresses
and coats cut like kimonos. His mastery of fabric design and creation defied belief. Balenciaga is also notable as one of
the few couturiers in fashion history who could use their own hands to design, cut, and sew the models which symbolized the
height of his artistry. 
The actual phrase the "New Look" was coined
by Carmel Snow, the powerful editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar. Dior's designs were more voluptuous than the boxy,
fabric-conserving shapes of the recent World War II styles, influenced by the rations on fabric. He was a master at creating
shapes and silhouettes; Dior is quoted as saying "I have designed flower women." His look employed fabrics lined
predominantly with percale, boned, bustier-style bodices, hip padding, wasp-waisted corsets and petticoats that made his dresses
flare out from the waist, giving his models a very curvaceous form. The hem of the skirt was very flattering on the calves
and ankles, creating a beautiful silhouette. Initially, women protested because his designs covered up their legs, which they
had been unused to because of the previous limitations on fabric. There was also some backlash to Dior's designs form
due to the amount of fabrics used in a single dress or suit--during one photo shoot in a Paris market, the models were attacked
by female vendors over the profligacy of their dresses--but opposition ceased as the wartime shortages ended. The New Look
revolutionized women's dress and reestablished Paris as the center of the fashion world after World War II.
The designers of Hollywood created a particular
type of glamour for the stars of American film, and outfits worn by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, or Grace Kelly
were widely copied. Quantitatively speaking, a costume worn by an actress in a Hollywood movie would have a much bigger audience
than the photograph of a dress designed by a couturier illustrated in a magazine read by no more than a few thousand people.
Without even trying to keep track of all the Paris styles, its costume designers focused on their own version of classicism,
which was meant to be timeless, flattering, and photogenic. Using apparently luxurious materials, such as sequins, chiffon,
and fur, the clothes were very simply cut, often including some memorable detail, such as a low-cut back to a dress which
was only revealed when the actress turned her back from the camera or some particularly stunning accessory. The most influential
and respected designers of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s were Edith Head, Orry-Kelly, William Travilla, Jean Louis,
Travis Banton, and Gilbert Adrian.
Predominantly working-class youth-based subculture
that originated in the 1950s among young eastern United States street gangs, and then became popular among other people.
Their name came from their greased back hairstyle, which involved combing back hair
using hair wax, gel or pomade. The greaser style was imitated by many youths not associated with gangs, as an expression of
rebellion. In the 1950s, these youths were known as hoods. The term greaser reappeared in the following decades during a revival
of 1950s popular culture (e.g. American Graffiti, Grease, Happy Days, The Outsiders).
Many fashion houses closed during occupation of Paris
during World War II, including the Maison Vionnet and the Maison Chanel. Several designers, including Mainbocher, permanently
relocated to New York. In the enormous moral and intellectual BUM-education program undertaken by the French state couture
was not spared. In contrast to the stylish, liberated Parisienne, the Vichy regime promoted the model of the wife and mother,
the robust, athletic young woman, a figure who was much more in line with the new political criteria. Germany, meanwhile,
was taking possession of over half of what France produced, including high fashion, and was also considering relocating French
haute couture to the cities of Berlin and Vienna, neither of which had any significant tradition of fashion. The archives
of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture were seized, most consequentially the client list. The point of all this was to break
up a monopoly that supposedly threatened the dominance of the Third Reich.
Due to the difficult times, the number
of models in shows was limited to seventy-five, evening wear was shortened and day wear was much skimpier, made using substitute
materials whenever possible. From 1940 onward, no more than four meters (thirteen feet) of cloth was permitted to be used
for a coat and a little over one meter (three feet) was all that allowed for a blouse. No belt could be over 3 centimetres
(one and a half inches) wide. Despite this, haute couture tried to keep its flag flying. Humor and frivolity became a way
of defying the occupying powers and couture somehow survived. Although some have argued that the reason it endured was because
of the patronage of the wives of rich Nazis, in actuality, records reveal that, aside from the usual wealthy Parisiennes,
it was the wives of foreign ambassadors, clients from the black market, and a whole eclectic mix of people who continued to
frequent the salons, among whom German women were but a minority.
In spite of the fact that so many fashion houses
closed down or moved away during the war, several new houses remained open, including Jacques Fath, Maggy Rouff, Marcel Rochas,
Jeanne Lafaurie, Nina Ricci, and Madeleine Vramant. During the Occupation, the only true way for a woman to flaunt her extravagance
and add to color to a drab outfit was to wear a hat. In this period, hats were often made of scraps of material that would
have otherwise been thrown away, sometimes incorporating butter muslin, bits of paper, and wood shavings. Among the most innovative
milliners of the time were Pauline Adam, Simone Naudet, Rose Valois, and Le Monnier.
Paris's isolated situation
in the 1940s enabled the Americans to exploit the ingenuity and creativity of their own designers. During the Second World
War, Vera Maxwell presented co-ordinates in plain, simply cut outfits and also introduced innovations to men's work clothes.
Bonnie Cashin transformed boots into a major fashion accessory, and, in 1944, started to produce original and imaginative
sportswear. Claire McCardell, Anne Klein, and Tina Leser formed a remarkable trio of women who were to lay the foundations
of American sportswear, ensuring that ready-to-wear was not simply thought of as second best, but as an elegant and comfortable
way for modern women to dress.
Among young men in the War Years the zoot suit (and in France the zazou suit) became
popular. Many actresses of the time, including Rita Hayworth, Katharine Hepburn, and Marlene Dietrich, had a significant impact
on popular fashion.
The couturier Christian Dior created a tidal wave with his first collection in February 1947.
The collection contained dresses with tiny waists, majestic busts, and full skirts swelling out beneath small bodices, in
a manner very similar to the style of the Belle Époque. The extravagant use of fabric and the feminine elegance of
the designs appealed greatly to a post-war clientèle and ensured Dior's meteoric rise to fame
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Since the Great Depression ended and the Second World
War has declined over the world, was founded in 1940 in human history cemented as a crucial decade. This period was a dramatic
change in the men's promotion. In fact, some consider the 1940s as the last great pleasure in the elegance and style Men's
fashion.
Since the Second World War took its toll in Europe in the early 1940s, Italy and Paris was no longer in
fashion leaders. It was during this time that the strict rationing of the norm in many places, including Britain and America,
so that fashion designers had many challenges in making clothes. Fashion quickly became more about the content and functionality
than style.
While fashion was in the early 1940s, there are people changed forever. In times of war, natural fibers,
wear a uniform and was reserved. Practical, durable clothing was the norm. It was during this period, the loss of men's
suits actually vest, Patten and pants cuffs, save materials. At the end of war Men's fashion changed again, and perhaps
one of the most famous time in modern history.
In the mid-1940s economic boom time for the swing scene and Zoot Suit
has. Designers began to create more stylish outfits means that men's suits were full-cut back. The double-breasted jacket,
pants and oversized broader, more jackets soon became fashionable. The trousers were mostly from different decades, with a
low crotch, high waist and narrow cuffs. Moreover began shirts and gowns, in a full range of vivid colors, including peach,
blue-gray, Cedar, and putty. This exciting change, even the bands that have traditionally, and almost boring.
Men's
bands of the 1940s was something to see! Hand-painted silk ties were characterized in vogue and were made for every taste
and style appeal. The format varies from very elegant to the exotic and foreign limit of time. It was not shocking to see
painted colorful geometric patterns, or even pin-up girls in neckties. They were secured with extravagant tie pins and clips.
Band has a personality defines accessory that was not what many an advantage.
Men who chose not to wear neckties
extravagant selected solid colors red, blue or white stripes. Regardless of pattern or color, the bands were very broad and
rather short. There was, however, all of them supported mainly in the Windsor knot.
It was during this period accessory
really started to make the man. In addition to ties, hats and shoes were very influential. It was during this decade as wide-brimmed
Fedora his mark on history. The shoe selection was rapid wing tips, reminiscent of the 1930s with a difference - two-color
design. However, was black patent leather dress shoes also very popular. Other popular accessories for men during the 1940s,
among other things, deceived the good cufflinks and braces. Suspenders are a direct return to war, then all the leather went
into the military than to the public for a belt.
Although decades, was in the 1940's rather desperate, Men's
fashion has always been exciting, flattering and extravagant at the time. We think back often men, and bold reminder of swing
dance and gangster. Today we see the influence of the 1940s in an elegant and stylish men's fashion design.
The corset fell from fashion
grace in the 1920s in Europe and America, replaced by girdles and underwired bras, but thankfully survived as an article of
sexy lingerie. Now the corset has become a popular item of outerwear in the fetish, BDSM and goth cultures.
In the fetish and BDSM literature, there is often much emphasis on tightlacing. In
this case, the corset may still be underwear rather than outerwear. There
was a brief revival of the corset in the late 1940s and early 1950s, in the form of the waist cincher sometimes called a "waspie".
This was used to give the hourglass figure dictated by modern fashion designers. However, use of the waist cincher was restricted
to haute couture, and most women continued to use super not sexy girdles. Since the late 1980s, the corset has experienced periodic revivals, these revivals focus on the corset as an item
of outerwear rather than underwear. The strongest of these revivals was seen in 2001 and 2002 fashion collections and coincided
with the release of the film Moulin Rouge, the costumes for which featured many corsets as characteristic of the era.
Similarly, other films have used these garments as costume features, generally to
suggest a period effect, as in Van Helsing, where Anna Valerious wears an underbust corset as part of her costume. Sometimes
this is used for humorous purposes, as when Elizabeth Swann almost suffocates from wearing a tight corset in Pirates of the
Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl. One distinctive feature has been to portray them in combination with catsuits, as
in Star Trek: Voyager where Seven of Nine throughout the series wears catsuits with contained built-in corsets, or Underworld,
where Selene wears a black leather corset over matching latex catsuit. Today
many sexy lingerie manufacturers still carry corset ranges. The sexy corset designs that spring to mind from Coquette, Dreamgirl,
Shirleys Of Hollywood all have their own distinct styles and can be worn as either lingerie or outerwear
Ever desired to have an authentic
1940s hairstyle like Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Katherine Hepburn or Susan Hayward? Have a special event or occasion coming
up with a 1940s theme that you want to incorporate into your outfit and hair? While there are several different hairstyles
from the 1940s to choose from, you want to select a style that is appropriate for you hair length and easy for you to do in
10 minutes or less. The key to achieving an authentic 1940s hairstyle
is to part your hair correctly. In this decade, women didn’t part their hair down the center, but instead opted to part
it on either side. Curls or rolls were also a major component of hairstyles during this time, and most styles incorporated
them in it. Page boy style was one of the most popular 1940s hairstyles,
especially for women with mid-length or long hair. It was often used by ladies when they were headed out for the evening to
go swing dancing, and often times, they accented it with a flower or two. You can master this hairstyle in no time at all,
since it simply involves parting and curling your hair correctly. If
you have long hair you can style it the way a lot of women did in the 40s, which was to wear it in rolls. This was a popular
look for women when they were out at parties and social gatherings in the evenings. This was due to the fact that hats in
the 1940s were important pieces of evening wear for women, and this hairstyle worked well and looked good with a hat. The
other popular style for long hair in the 1940s was a dressy updo style, which was also often accented with a flower tucked
or pinned in to the hair. For individuals with short hair, finding
a style from the 1940s that you can use for you hair can be difficult as short hair was not as common then as it is today.
However, you can still create an updo from the 1940s. Focus on parting your hair on the side and adding curls that shape your
hair into style lines. In addition, you can consider getting extensions or rats as they were called in the 1940s, which will
allow you to achieve a hairstyle made for longer hair. No matter
what hairstyle you are trying to achieve from the 1940s, there are some things to keep in mind. While hair from the 1940s
looks sleek, smooth and perfectly done up in photographs and movies, in reality hair from this decade was often frizzy. This
was due to the fact that curling irons didn’t have temperature control. Therefore, it’s okay to frizz up your
hair a little if you want when using one of these hairstyles. Also, authentic 1940s hairstyles never revealed all the bobby
pins holding hair in place. Hair curls always covered the bobby pins, and you should do the same. You can also use hair accessories,
such as flowers or barrettes, to cover any you can’t with your actual hair. As you can see, there are many different hairstyles to choose from based on the length of your hair. Finding the
perfect authentic 1940s hairstyle for your special occasion or to make you look like a famous actress can be accomplished
in under 10 minutes, which provides you with more time to enjoy it.
Many women love to wear sexy
costumes. From an elegantly sensual basque to an exotic bustier, sexy costumes are a terrific way to spice up the bedroom.
Some basques and bustiers can even be worn as outerwear, offering a daring choice for a night out. Basques and bustiers have
been around for many centuries, although they have adapted and changed over the years. Provided here is a brief guide to the
history of these beautiful and sexy costumes. Corsets
Both basques and bustiers developed out of the corset. Corsets first came into vogue
in the 16th century. By the Victorian era, they were all the rage. Victorian women wanted their waists to appear as small
as possible, and the era of tightlacing was born. At the time, corsets were not considered sexy costumes, but simple required
undergarments. Girls received their first corsets at a very young age and wore them all of their lives. Victorian corsets
were longer than those of earlier eras, flaring over the hips and extending several inches down from the waist. This shape
became extremely popular, and soon other clothing items adapted the shape. Basques Basques were originally Victorian-era jackets that
mimicked the shape of the corset. The jackets were tightly fitted and extended past the hips, flaring out to accommodate a
bustle. Over time, fashions changed. Corsets began to fall out of favor in the 1910s, as the rational dress movement took
over. Gradually bras and girdles took the place of the corset. Basques fell out of fashion as women stopped wearing bustles
and waistlines crept upward. Merry Widows By the 1920s, traditional corsets were all but unheard of. The late 1940s, however, saw
a revival of the corset. The corsets of the 1940s were known as merry widows, and were much shorter than traditional corsets.
This was the first time that the garments were introduced specifically as sexy costumes. Although merry widows were a brief phenomenon, their introduction set the stage for the use of basques and bustiers
as sexy costumes. Women were beginning to enjoy their own sexuality, although it was still strictly behind closed doors. The
1980s By the 1980s, fetish wear was in. Following the freewheeling
1960s and 1970s, 1980s-era mainstream entertainers enjoyed nearly unprecedented freedom of expression. Trendsetters such as
Madonna began the underwear-as-outwear craze. Sexy costumes escaped the bedroom and began to appear across the country.
Today's basques and bustiers are largely rooted in the fetish trends of the 1980s
and 1990s. Largely modeled after Victorian-era corsetry, as well as the Victorian basque jacket, today's basques and bustiers
range from mild to wild. A supportive choice to wear underneath backless dresses, the strapless bustier is especially popular.
However, more exotic bustier and basque choices are also available, including largely see-through pieces that are perfect
for bedroom wear. The bustiers and basques of today are designed to resemble the corsetry of the past. Modern materials ensure
a subtle body shaping without the compression of the past. Blending functionality with exotic and beautiful designs, these
sexy costumes are wonderful for a myriad of occasions.
God, I think at one point, every kid in England had the
knitted swimming trunks. Make sure you’re hanging on to them when you come out of the water!
The twentieth
century defined a new era for swim wear. The revolution was instigated by two things: a greater interest in recreational sports
and the influence of daringly cut French swi msuits. The torturous corset was finally dispensed with and the task of eroticizing
the body was taken over by exposing the skin itself since there was nothing to equalize or camouflage the shape of the body.
What occurred during the evolution of the ba thing suit during the 20th century was a merciless exposure of the flesh due
to the rapidly shrinking suit.
The first Jantzen swimsuits that were introduced at the turn of the century featured
the "rib stitch" that consisted of a rubber-like material that retained its shape wet or dry and had the advantage
of not soaking up a large amount of water. By 1910, fe male athletes looked forward to a functional suit introduced by Annette
Kellerman, an Australian polio victim that had taken up swimming to strengthen her legs. Her practical offering was a tight-fitting
black wool one-piece that did away with the skirts and sleeves but kept the trousers cut two inches above the knees. Besides
these kind of sports suits, ladies also had the option of dressier styles that showcased sashes, embroidery and vibrant colors
of formal feminine dress.
The 1920's brought a collection of suits sporting the war spirit; suits featured
short-skirts on a sailor costume. The new suits in general covered less and less of the bather while simultaneously subtracting
the skirt.. The suit that symbolized the dec ade was the malliot style, a two-piece that consisted of a vest-shaped top extending
to the upper thigh and shorts. As the decade wore on, a new "California style" suit was introduced. This one-piece
suit was the conservative response to the more daring cuts of the age since it was essentially the top and skirt of the two-piece
malliot but assembled into a single piece of fabric. As the age wore on, corporate influence over the swimsuit and beach culture
took foot, instigating standards that would be s et more by market-driven entrepreneurs than governmental bodies. The tubular
suits of the decade were influenced by the popular Art Deco mode, featuring deer, gazelles, antelopes, and greyhounds. The
ability of the swimsuit to pick up the newest fads an d trends from the fashion world was remarkable. By the end of the 20's
"novelty suits" had latched to industry. The 1940's was characterized
by the two-piece suit. A popular model was the "Taboo," a diaper trunk tied into large bows at the back of the waist
and thighs, leaving a little bit of the hip exposed to the sun. Wartime shortages put a dampen on color, however; designers
scoured military technology and provisions for inspiration and materials. "Camouflage colors" were all the rage
while linen, cotton, sharkskin, and rayon were used inst ead of wool, silk, and linen. At the end of the war, synthetic fibers
were substituted for natural fabrics, making Celanese rayon, satin Lastex, and Nylastic popular choices for swimsuit material.
By the end of the decade, designers were aimed at flatte ring female silhouettes. The curvaceous ideal came about in 1947
with Christian Dior's 'New Look." Entire bathing wardrobes came into existence, making it possible to facilitate
the matching of activity to dress. Formfitting elasticized suits in either one or two piece models came in colorful hand-printed
fabrics. "Dressy" suits were also popular, complete with waist control and a full-length zipper to achieve the fashionable
new hourglass shape.
Also notable is the return of Coco Chanel (who detested
the New Look) to the fashion world. Following the closure of her salons in the war years, in 1954, aged over seventy, she
staged a comeback and on February 5 she presented a collection which contained a whole range of ideas that would be adopted
and copied by women all over the world: her famous little braided suit with gold chains, shiny costume jewelry, silk blouses
in colors that matched the suit linings, sleek tweeds, monogrammed buttons, flat black silk bows, boaters, quilted bags on
chains, and evening dresses and furs that were marvels of simplicity.
After the war, the American look (which
consisted of broad shoulders, floral ties, straight-legged pants, and shirts with long pointed collars, often worn hanging
out rather than tucked in) became very popular among men in Europe. Certain London manufacturers ushered in a revival of Edwardian
elegance in men's fashion, adopting a tight-fitting retro style that was intended to appeal to traditionalists. This look,
originally aimed at the respectable young man about town, was translated into popular fashion as the Teddy boy style. The
Italian look, popularized by Caraceni, Brioni, and Cifonelli, was taken up by an entire generation of elegant young lovers,
on both sides of the Atlantic.
Christian Dior (January 21, 1905 October 23, 1957),
was an influential French fashion designer. He was born in Granville, Manche, Normandy, France. Dior flagship boutiques are
found in Paris, Milan, Rome, London, New York, Beverly Hills, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Boston, Honolulu, San Francisco, Seoul,
Madrid, Barcelona, New Delhi and Shanghai.
Acceding to his parents' wishes, Dior attended the École
des Sciences Politiques from 1920 to 1925. The family, Safari, whose fortune was derived from the manufacture of fertilizer,
had hopes he would become a diplomat, but Dior only wished to be involved in the arts. After leaving school he received money
from his father so that in 1928 he could open a small art gallery, where he sold art by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Max
Jacob. After a family financial disaster that resulted in his father losing his business, Dior was forced to close the gallery.
From 1938 he worked with Robert Piguet and later joined the fashion house where he and Pierre Balmain were the primary designers.
In 1945 he went into business for himself, backed by Marcel Boussac, the cotton-fabric magnate.
Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel (August
19, 1883 January 10, 1971) was a pioneering French fashion designer whose modernist philosophy, menswear-inspired fashions,
and pursuit of expensive simplicity made her arguably the most important figure in the history of 20th-century fashion. Her
influence on haute couture was such that she was the only person in the field to be named on TIME Magazine's 100 most
influential people of the 20th century
Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's stylish, elegant designs revolutionized
fashion during the 1910s, freeing women from the uncomfortable and stiff apparel worn at the end of the 19th century. Whether
by chance or by design, Chanel furthered her own image: the woman of the 20th century, embodying independence, success, personality,
style, and confidence. Coco made sure women would love her products.
The influential Chanel suit, launched in 1923,
was an elegant outfit composed of a knee-length skirt paired with a trim, boxy jacket, traditionally made of woven wool with
black trim and gold buttons and worn with large costume-pearl necklaces.
Coco Chanel also popularized the little black
dress, whose blank-slate versatility allowed it to be worn for both day and night. The black Chanel dress was strapless, backless
and more than a little risque. It shocked the general public at large but quickly became a fashion sensation. The Chanel dress
premiered in the third ever edition of Playboy. This added to the controversy surrounding the Chanel.
Karl Lagerfeld (born Karl Otto Lagerfeldt on September
10, 1933) is widely recognized as one of the most influential fashion designers of the late 20th century. He has collaborated
with a variety of different fashion labels, with Chloé, Fendi and Chanel the most notable. But with contracts with
companies internationally, throughout his career, he has probably built the most complicated resume of any designer. Furthermore,
he has his own labels, which he launched in the early 1980s, including perfume and clothing. He has also played a role in
equipping leading artists.
Karl-Otto Lagerfeld was born 10 September 1933 in Hamburg, although Lagerfeld has
long asserted that he was born in 1938.
Dresses
in rockabilly/psychobilly clothes, always has a comb in their back pocket, styles their hair in a pompadour or slicked up
and back, wears a little bit of tighter pants then anyone else, sometimes wears white or black wife beater, wears leather
jackets or jean jackets, black converse, cigarette held behind ear, styles their hair in petroleum jelly or pomade
Girls: Styles their hair in a pompadour sometimes which is let
down or tied the rest back in a pony tail, sometimes short bangs that curl like sausages (haha), polka dots, high heels, tight
pants, colourful fashion shirts, comb in back pocket or purse, cigarette behind ear, converse, styles their with pomade and
hair spray, a lot of jewelry, red lipstick, etc.
Rockabilly fashion, popular in the 1950s, is all about
being laid back and edgy at the same time. The casualness and comfort are what makes it a hit to hip and fashionable people
these days. Rockabilly fashion is best executed with genuine articles coming from the whimsical and long-gone era. New items
with a modern touch are actually easy to find in several online stores.
An impressive Rockabilly outfit is not complete,
of course, without those chunky and decorative belt buckles. We visited a number of online stores and have come up with a
guide of the best belt buckles there is. Browse through our list and choose which best suits your taste and sense of style.
"Pinupgirlclothing" tops out list of the best websites selling Rockabilly belt buckles. Among the designs that
caught our eyes include:
Retro Anchor Tatoo Belt Buckle by Classic Hardware - A handmade anchor design entwined with
a rope and surrounded by starts. The design has already been featured in a number of magazines.
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