The item that can save us now is the perfect '50s dress. How better to channel a little optimism than with a piece of post war fashion?
I recently overheard a friend of mine talking about how much the '50s trend pisses her off: 'Why look back to an era of sexism, little housewives with cinched waists and no lives?' Well on the '50s, things may not have been at their best, but they were certainly changing faster than they had before thanks to womens' involvement in the war effort and their reluctance to go back. The 50s was also an era of renewed creativity, fashion DIY, Vogue pattern books, knitting and altering, stretching every last penny.
It wasn't until Coco Chanel started pioneering comfort and elegance combined for womenswear that the nipped in waists gave way to the cacophony of garments now available to us (disclaimer: this is a massive over simplification of fashion history).
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| A/W 2012 Lanvin, Pucci, Dior |
However, the cinched waists of 50s style kept and keeps coming back. Why? Not as a reminder of women's subordination, but because they follow a woman's natural shape, fit, flatter, are practical for walking in or even running for the bus and can work in all kinds of fabrics.
In keeping with the thrifty spirit of the 50s, these dresses are often to be found at bargain prices since they have lived once already and are not so old as to have earned the title 'antique'. We have bought a few 50's gems over the years ranging from £20 to £50, including what we hope was once a wedding dress from The Stables Market in Camden, this gorgeous evening number with a dropped back from Brick Lane, and a recent purchase from Margate (see review here). This has to be the perfect trans seasonal trend.
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