Newly confident in themselves after winning World War II (1939–45) and building an economy that was the envy of the world, Americans in the 1950s began to develop a fashion sense that was independent of the rest of the world and focused on youth. The most notable youth fashions were quite simple. For boys, a pair of blue jeans worn with a white T-shirt symbolized the spirit of rock and roll and were worn by movie idols James Dean (1931–1955) and Marlon Brando (1924–). For girls, a tight sweater, a poodle skirt (a long, full skirt with the image of a poodle on it), bobby socks (ankle-high socks), and saddle shoes (sturdy shoes with a contrasting band of color) were all the rage. These looks were closely associated with the 1950s; they were featured in the wave of nostalgia in the 1970s in such movies as American...