1940's- The flower power of the 1960's..............

Peace and love mannnn......

Teenagers were gaining power.

Many of them taking  up part time jobs.

Affluent adolescents of the 50's were to become the source of a budding youth culture. Which was to blossom into full flower power in the coming decade.............

Youth was in the forefront of society

The generation gap was growing

Youngsters were becoming more confident

Determined to create their own style...........................

Grease Lightening!

Grease Lightening!!!

Pop artists embraced commercial and particularly American Culture.

Every teenager began to follow American Fashion cults.

The Teds version was more extravagant

Jackets became brightly coloured

Trousers were narrowed so much that they became know as “DrainPipes”

The Juke ... had just been released into the pubs  for people to choose their own music choices! Celebrities- Actors/ actresses and musicians were also creating a massive hype in the public eye, in a completely different from how they were. Glamour and eccentricity was definitely on it's way back.

Elvis Presley

Marilyn Monroe

Jane Russell

Marlon Brando

Jayne Mansfield

Thick crepe soled shoes were added to the fashionable society. 

“Brothel Creepers” which have recently been trending recently.

Hairstyles were greased with Bryll Cream (Elvis inspired)

Long Quiff at the front and a D.A. at the back.

Pop art..

A new art movement was fast approaching. Andy Warhol's pop art was emerging. Fashion rejected wartime values of quality and permanence.

Another fashion revolution was happening inside the textile mill.........

Science had arrived in textiles.

Synthetic materials such as Acrilian and Orlon, Dacron and Poplin were developed.

Together with nylon (invented during the 1930s) these new fabrics took over from wool and cotton.

1930's-1940's

Christian Dior 1947

The 'new look'

This new feminine fashion was put aside throughout the war

Revived again in 1947 by Christian Dior

Storm clouds of war were gathering over Europe

The fashion industry ground to a halt

In contrast to the 20's clothes were being ra

 1939

Storm clouds of war were gathering over Europe

The glamour of Paris and London were showed in the last fashion collections of the decade... and then........

The fashion industry ground to a halt

Clothing rationing

 there were suddenly shortages in the fashion industry and people were forced to be more creative with their wardrobes. Using and up-cycling their husbands old work clothes and re-create more practical, economical clothes.

Revolutionary invention of nylon fiber led to the creation of stockings.

 Confusion!!!!......

 By the late 30's, the fashion industry was extremely confused. so many styles and looks. By the end of the decade the fashion scene was so varied and confused. Perhaps the fashion industry was reflecting the disorder and Chaos of a world about to plunge into the catastrophe of World War II.

Shoulders dramatically emphasized and squared.

Nipped in waists. 

Bias cut skirts.

Cultural influences. 

Short bolero jackets.

Bias cut dresses. Madeleine Vionnet introducing drape.

In contrast to the 20's....
In contrast to the lively 20s, The 30s was a quieter era which
emphasised on

dressing and behaving in a respectable manner. 

1920's-1930's... Fashion and society....

Wall Street Crash:

The decade ended with the wall street crash in 1929 which inevitably left a great amount of depression in the air. This depression ironically contrasted by the luxury and richness of the roaring 20's.

In 1925 Chanel brought straight hanging jersey into the public eye. this was a controversial move as jersey was exclusively being used under garments at this time so it could have come across as somewhat suggestive. Garments hung straight from the hips. Easy, soft shapes. Sleek and elegant. The epitome of 'The Jazz Age'. 

Nearing the end of the 20's the fashion, the fashion industry was booming. everyone was living extravagantly and spending a lot of money. It was an extremely glamorous era.


Dance!

After the war a dancing craze spread like wildfire. Jazz bands held dances every afternoon in hotels and night clubs. There was such a high number of high society men waitin for employment after the war that they spent their un-employed time having fun and living extravogant lives.

Everyone lived in Luxury. Leisure, Luxury, New developments,Cars – widely available, Flying – appeared frequently in the news, Ocean Liners – new fascination. The world had experienced a revolution.

Exhibition of decorative arts:

A new contemporary modernism was taking over. In 1925 Paris held an exhibition of decorative arts it was all about the straight lines. Not a curve in sight. The name Art deco was derived from this exhibition. Simplistic interiors and angular buildings were becoming a back drop of society.

 Geometric to curves:

Geometric lines of the early 20s were superseded by curves and soft floral prints.

A gradual increase in femininity was apparent

The fashion industry began to develop this new exposed look

Particularly for evenings

Long line sleeveless bodices

Cut away plunge backs

Trimmed with drapes and bias cutting

Exposure:

Toward the end of the decade, exposure was becoming more accepted within society. People suddenly had bare arms and short skirts.



Gigolos:

This English gentleman's look was rivaled by the “gigolos”

Sleeked back hair and pristine clothes. mirror shiny shoes and immaculately pressed trousers.

Menswear:

Men wore a new style of grey flannel trousers.

“Oxford Bags” – introduced by under graduates of oxford university.

Teamed with casual blazers to form basic lounge suits.