A Century Of Style: The Challenge (1950 -1960)

Welcome to Day Five in my Century of Style Challenge. Today is the turn of the glamorous 1950's. Personally this era is not a favourite of mine, I loathe pointy shoes and the rigid formality of the dress just isn't my thing, but because you're all so lovely I'll give it a go....... 

When Christian Dior launched his New Look collection in 1947 he caused a sensation. After years of enforced frugality the nipped-in waists and full skirts of his collection were totally different to anything the British had seen. Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were amongst the first to embrace the New Look and for the next ten years the swathed fabric, nipped-in waist styles dominated the era thus fulfilling the craving women denied glamour during the hardships of the war years had previously only dreamed of.

The bubble cuts worn by the Princesses and Elizabeth Taylor were the must-have hairstyles of the day and elegant French pleats were also popular. Hairdressing became big business and by 1955 almost 30,000 hair salons had opened in the UK.

During the earlier years of the 1950's a woman wasn't considered properly dressed without a hat but they gradually fell from favour when a more casual way of dress was adopted in the latter half of the decade. Max Factor's Pancake makeup was popular and women applied it over their lips, painting their lipstick on top with the newly introduced lip brush. Eyebrows were finely plucked and pencilled in to appear darker and more sweeping. Eyeliner was wing-shaped and applied to the upper lid only. Rouge was popular, Bourjois being a particular favourite brand.

A lady always wore gloves, even during the day. Shoes were high with rounded or peep-toes during the early Fifties, it wasn't until the middle of the decade that the metal spike heels and kitten heels normally associated with the era were worn. Shawls and fur stoles were de rigueur for evening wear. Pearls, paste jewellery and mink trimmed brooches were popular items to own.

Marks and Spencer, Britain's legendary chain store, became the place to shop for fashion, copies of couture items were available to the masses for a fraction of the price. The exceptional quality of the St Michael clothing brand means that many original pieces can still be found today.

Green satin and lace dress with a boned bodice and black ruched gloves elbow length (Both from jumble sales), Bow trim hat, Lurex wrap and Dorset Rex evening bag (All Car Boot Sale Finds), Faith Patent stilettoes (Local Market), Pearl grapevine earrings (Inherited)

Towards the end of the Fifties society evolved to become more liberated and women moved towards wearing freer and more relaxed clothing casting aside the rigidity demanded by the past.