About Men's Fashion of 1950
Men in the 1950s were experiencing the relief accompanying the end of World War II. Though returning servicemen no longer donned their military attire, the crew cut continued its reign and a conservative style prevailed. As the decade progressed, however, teenagers began to change these trends. Men's fashion in the 1950s saw a notable change as culture progressed to include more casual and outgoing styles. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The 1950s followed the end of World War II and brought a return to peacetime in America. Servicemen returned home to live out the American dream with their perfectly coiffed housewives and children. Growth was seen everywhere as industries boomed to provide luxuries not available in wartime. Corporate and job expansion was more than able to accommodate returning servicemen, and as families were reunited, the Baby Boom began.
Cultural Influences
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Popular fashion designers of the time were Dior, Givenchy, and Chanel-whose influence still effect society. "The Honeymooners" and "I Love Lucy" dominated television culture, while timeless stars such as Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe emerged with an undeniable sex appeal. Marlon Brando in "The Wild One," and James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause" exemplified the fashion of many teenagers in the 1950s.
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Business Attire
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In the corporate world, men conformed to a very strict style. A conservative movement was underway. As Cold War fears threatened society, everyone wanted to exemplify the ideal American. Men wore single-breasted, three-button, gray flannel suits. The pants were tapered and had no pleats. Beneath the suit jacket was a cotton broadcloth button-down shirt, usually in white or pale blue, and a slim tie. Nondescript black leather shoes were popular with this suit. A beige raincoat or tweed overcoat accompanied the ensemble in inclement weather, and the entire outfit was finished off with a narrow brimmed hat. For a touch of variety, similar suits were available in dark blue or dark brown, but the overall conformity remained.
Casual Attire
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Though men abandoned their full suits for leisure activities, jeans were not yet a part of the standard weekend attire. Pants tended toward a loose wool flannel, similar to those worn with business attire. Shirts, however, brought a bit of color to the male wardrobe with Hawaiian prints and colored polo shirts. Cardigan sweaters came out in cooler weather, and a plaid sports jacket was a popular addition to any weekend outfit. Loafers were the ideal shoe for leisure activities. Blue jeans only came out for serious outdoor work. The fact that even the casual attire of adults was so far removed from teenage trends began to create a widening generation gap.
Teenagers
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The term "teenager" was first introduced in he 1950s, giving this age group an identity all its own. In the early 1950s, boys still leaned toward a more conservative look with suit trousers and cardigan sweaters. However, by the middle of the decade, a new culture was taking hold. Young boys began to sport Levis, T-shirts with leather jackets and Converse sneakers. Unbuttoned shirts, bright suits and slicked-back hair in the style of Elvis Presley gained popularity as well. Near the end of the decade, however, some teenagers began to lean back toward a more conservative look. The Teddy Boy look, popular in England, took hold with narrow, high-waisted trousers, thin ties, long jackets and a style of pointed shoes known as "winklepickers." The new cultural identity that teenagers found in the 1950s was only the beginning. This unique teenage segment of the population continues to be catered to with specific clothing and products designed for them.
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