Autumn’s Fifties Silhouette
For autumn one of the biggest trends this year is going to be the fifties silhouette. Curves are back on the agenda with full skirts, pencil skirts, cinched in waists and fitted tops. The fifties silhouette celebrates the feminine figure with clothes that both flatter and enhance. Fifties style clothes look particularly good on ladies with an hourglass figure but this look can really work for anyone. The fifties was a great time in history when ladies after the utilitarian clothes of the wartime forties, felt they could indulge themselves with clothes and feel like women again. The fuller skirts (which required lots of material) were a result of materials being more readily available.
After seasons of baggy and empire line clothes, many women can’t wait to try out the fifties trends (sometimes second time around) for a more defined shape. One of the key influences on fashion during the fifties was the French designer Christian Dior whose signature style with a full skirt and cinched in waist was called ‘new look’. There were lots of other silhouettes also around in the sixties such as the shirt dress, Chanel’s boxy suit and Hubert Givenchy’s sack or straighter waisted shift dress. But it is the ‘new look’ silhouette that is proving particularly popular for the season ahead.
Inspiration
This seasons inspiration comes from catwalk shows including Louis Vuitton, Prada and Paul Smith who all showed ladylike calf length flared skirts teamed with fitted tops or jackets. Hair, make up and accessories this season are also strongly influenced by the fifties presence seen at the shows for these labels. Mad Men seems to have had a massive influence on styles for this season and was possibly the influencing factor for many of the designers. There are also a growing number of celebrities wearing the retro look at the moment including Dita Von Teese and Katie Perry.
Outfit Ideas
It is fairly easy to put together your own fifties inspired outfit by teaming a full skirt with a fitted blouse or top. A pencil skirt with a blouse also works really well and exudes that fifties glamour. The look in the fifties was really polished with styled hair and immaculate make up but you don’t need to copy the whole look instead you could take just one of two aspects of it and adapt it for today by missing with modern styles.
This turquoise a line skirt is a great example of the fifties style, it even has a petticoat. The ladies floral design tie dye knit top is the perfect combination for a fun and feminine retro style outfit.
Accessories
High heel shoes, lady like handbags and strings of pearls were all popular in the fifties and would look great when combined with a circle skirt. You could also opt to wear full on Hollywood glamour with diamonds and faux fur. The fifties pin up style also featured cute hair flowers which can look great for a special occasion.