The war ended in 1947, and in 1951 between the US and Germany. During the war, wartime fashion was considered simple and minimalistic. Having an elaborate wardrobe was frivolous, and was perceived to go against the war effort, after all, coupon books would be issued to families and they were only allowed to buy items by trading in the coupons. It was called rationing... something that today's American family wouldn't understand, nor hardly tolerate I would presume. The rations weren't horrible, in my opinion, but true, you would sometimes have to just "make do". (Something I am very familiar with being a housewife in a two income society!) An example of yearly rations included: a woman could purchase 11 dresses, but only 2 pairs of stockings. Again, my curiosity wonders how you could get a years daily use out of 2 pairs of stockings! Wool was a commodity at the time and was highly sought after because that is what the military used to make uniforms. It's important to get an idea of what the women in 1940 went through, so you can understand their mindsets when the 1950's came.
The 1950's entered a new fashion era, inspired by the "New Look", a clothing line by Christian Dior. The signature shape was characterized by a below-mid-calf length, full-skirt, large bust, and small waist. Dior also created the two piece suits consisting of a fitted jacket and a pencil skirt. Some of Dior's designs used many, many yards of fabric. (Sometimes up to 20 yards!) American's viewed Dior's designs with opposition due to the previous fabric rationing in the war, but then soon adapted to the new fashion.
Prices for clothes were at an all time high and women wanted looks that were versatile. Soon "convertible" clothes came onto the scene. These were clothes that allowed women to get more use out of them depending upon the occasion or the season. For example, some dresses had convertible sleeves. Slim pencil skirts had an over skirt which, if buttoned or tied on would give the appearance of a full skirt. Here is an example of such a pattern:
In the winter, women wore their clothing made out of sheer wool, wool jersey, yarn-dyed wools, silk taffetas and velvet. (But I still wonder how they kept their legs warm!)
This image shows a quite warmly dressed woman outside.... but oh how cold it must have been when the wind was blustery... and what about her toes?! Burrr..... for the sake of these women I have to keep researching, please tell me there were wool stockings in the 50's! Even in this 50's jacket pattern, the sketch appears as if she's freezing her legs off!
Alas, I've searched and searched and here's what I've found as the history of hose... they began as wool stockings (smart!), but in the 1920's they turned to silk, in the 40's nylon became the affordable solution, and in 1950 the seamless stocking was born, although it took off slowly, most women still wore seamed stockings until the 1960's. Seamless stockings gave the appearance of bare legs which was considered a big no-no! After the war demand for stockings was exceptionally high! (After all, remember they could only get 2 pairs a year!) In 1945 Macy's stocked 50,000 pairs of nylons and they sold out in six hours!
If your looking for full fashion 1950's seamed stockings, look no further than Magnolia Hosiery. They have been in business since 1954, and still produce the same seamed stockings (#3975) on the same equipment for 45 years!
So, I'm guessing that the average 1950's woman had to simply deal with cold legs and feet, all for the love (or expectations!) of fashion. Thankfully the late 1940's early 50's vehicles had improved heating elements in their vehicles as compared to the 20's and 30's. Oh how we take such things for granted now!
One does have to wonder tho, with the issue of cold legs and toes, if that caused the fashion industry to create... the bullet bra.
Smiles ~
Angela
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