Fashion from 1945-1960 was dominated by nylon, beehive hairstyles, and hot pink pumps. Also popular were petticoats. When the French fashion houses reopened after World War II, Dior introduced the "New Look" silhouette. In some ways it duplicated the Antebellum look of the 1850s with a tight cinched waist and a natural shoulder line. Hemlines dropped to mid-calf, reflecting the easement of wartime fabric restrictions. There was an option of wearing a full skirt or a tight 'pencil' skirt. This was the prevailing fashon for the next ten years, until hemlines began to rise and a more futuristic egg-type silhouette began to appear in 1958.
1950s
In the 1950s, pop culture was more focused on teenagers and their interests, including rock n roll. Youth fashions influenced the fashion industry. In the UK, the Teddy boy became both a style icon and an anti-authoritarian figures, whilst in North America, greasers had a similar social position. Previously, teenagers dressed similarly to their parents, but now a rebellious and different youth style was being developed. This was particularly noticeable in the overtly sexual nature of their dress. Some young men wore tight trousers, leather jackets, and tee shirts; these men often grew their hair out and, with pomade or other hair treatments, coiffed their hair into pompadours. However, this was a subculture; the mainstream was shorter hair, including crew cuts and flattops, and they wore traditional clothing. Men's hair fashion favored the wet look, achieved by the use of products such as Brylcreem.
See also
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| Medieval | Byzantine · Early Medieval · Anglo-Saxon · 12th century · 13th century · 14th century |  |
| Renaissance and Reformation | 15th century · 1500-1550 · 1550-1600 · 1600-1650 · 1650-1700 | |
| Enlightenment to Regency | 1700-1750 · 1750-1795 · 1795-1820 · 1820s | |
| Victorian | 1830s · 1840s · 1850s · 1860s · 1870s · 1880s · 1890s | |
| Edwardian | 1900s · 1910s | |
| Between the World Wars | 1920s · 1930-1945 | |
| Postwar and Cold War | 1945-1960 · 1960s · 1970s · 1980s | |
| Contemporary | 1990s · 2000s | |
