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The 1950s

dior dress

In the early-mid 1950s, Dior's "New Look" could still be found. Backless shoes came to be and were known as "Continentals." The chest was more emphasized with a conical pointed shape. Some wore petticoats to make their skirts fuller for dancing. Cinch belts further emphasized a tinier waist. Sack chemese dresses that were flat in the front and full of fabric in the back made their way from Paris. Many women dressed in full ensembles of clothing complete with matching dress, gloves, coat, hat, and purse. Matching mother-daughter ensembles were also popular. Mink coats were a sign of wealth and the object of every woman's desire. Capris also known as torreador pants or pedal pushers emerged with side zippers.

In the late 1950s, the skirt became less full and resembled what we know as a pencil skirt except then they were referred to a sheath dress. Many styles from the early-mid 1950s carried over until the late 1950s except for a move away from Dior's "New Look." The look was overall more doe-eyed with puffier hair leading into the big hair characteristic in the 1960s.

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