What type of dresses were popular in the 1950s?
Style comfort and sophistication was the trademark of dresses in the 1950's . It was a time when women really began to experiment with fashion ,and emphasis was on shape . The swing dress gained in popularity during this time , with its nipped in waist ,and full skirt , ( often worn with s tulle petticoat underneath ) that would "swing" as you walked . The tea dress with its flattering loose lines , short sleeves and full skirt ,which could be adapted for both a day and night time look.
By contrast the 1950s also saw the birth of the pencil dress. First seen in designs by Dior in 1947, the pencil dress cemented its place in mainstream fashion. Unlike the tea or swing dress, the pencil dress was form-fitting, with slim tailored lines and became one of the most iconic styles of the 1950s .
Why is a tea dress called a tea dress?
The tea dress first emerged as a daytime dress, to be worn around the home. It became popular as a more comfortable alternative to the heavily corseted dresses that had until that point dominated fashion. This is because it was normally worn when ladies in society were entertaining guests in their homes for afternoon tea, for this reason the dress quickly became known as "the tea dress "
How to tell if a dress is 1950s?
The 1950's was a revolutionary time for women's fashion. It was a time when women began to take ownership of how they dressed. When you are talking about the history of fashion, the 1950’s was undoubtedly an iconic time, and is an era that is instantly definable by the elegance and style of its dresses.
Dresses were designed to create an hourglass shape with nipped in waists and knee length hems. We saw the emergence of the pencil dress with its slim figure hugging fit . By contrast we also had the swing dress with its waspy waist and full skirt , alongside the more conservative tea dress with its loose flowing lines and short sleeves . Whatever your preference , the dresses of the 1950's provided glamour and style to any occasion .
Such was the impact of the 1950's fashion , it left us with timeless classics that are instantly recognisable , and as popular today as they ever were !
