1950s - The baby boom

As the men returned to Britain after the war, a baby-boom was created which would affect future decades. It took a long time to pick up the pieces after the war as the social and economical impacts it created were huge. Tokens still had to be used for another decade as there was still a shortage of fabrics. People craved fashion though as they were deprived from it in the war, so stores sold affordable versions of the Paris Haute-Couture styles. Marks and Spencer were the best at providing this in Britain as they were considered the best value for money.

1950s US clothing token 

Marks and Spencer Store in Plymouth 1950

After the masculine look of the war, femininity was craved, especially amongst men who wanted to take their roles back in society. The hour-glass and wasp-stung waists were in with the full, mid-calf skirts. This style was called the New Look which was made popular by Christian Dior; Hollywood idols such as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn helped the feminine look by introducing new make-up styles such as eye-liner and coloured make-up (Luxe, 2008). 

Marylin Monroe and Audrey Hepburn both wore black eye-liner, eye-shadow, shaped eyebrows and plump lips. 

For the first time in history, casual daywear existed for men. The ‘50s was the birth of the true teenager starting off with Teddy Boys. This style consisted of greased back hair and long blazer style coats. The Teddy Boy look was made popular through Rock’n’Roll stars such as Elvis Presley and Tommy Steele who were deemed as youthful and rebellious role models.

A group of Teddy Boys 

Rock idols of the 1950s Tommy Steel and Elvis Presley were some of the first real fashion idols for young men

References

Luxe, L. (2008) The Make-up Artist: Silent Era - 2000's Plus, trends for 2009 [online] Blogspot. Available from: http://blog.lelaluxe.com/2008/11/make-up-artist-silent-era-2000-plus.html [02/05/2012]

Bibliography

Adeli. (2012) The Elvis Story [online]. Musical Bites. Available from: http://www.musicalbites.com/?tag=memphis [02/05/2012]

Campbell, J. Campbell, K. (2011) Teddy Boy [online] United Kingdom: Blogspot. Available from: http://www.88-91.com/2011/12/teddy-boy.html [02/05/2012]

Ebower. (2010) 50's Make-Up [online] Georgia: Hubpages. Available from: http://ebower.hubpages.com/hub/The-Essential-50s-Makeup [02/05/2012] 

Grimsey, D. (2011) Larry Parnes Invents British Pop Music! (featuring Tommy Steele) [online] Australia: Blogspot. Available from: http://theozhiztoryblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/larry-parnes-invents-british-pop-music.html [02/05/2012]

Pickens, J. (2011) Audrey Hepburn: The Sorority Girl's Pin-Up [online] Movies Unlimited. Available: http://www.moviefanfare.com/fanfare-guests/audrey-hepburn-the-sorority-girls-pin-up/ [02/05/2012]

Tait, D. (2009) Marks and Sepncers, Plymouth 1950s [online] Plymouth: Flickr. Available from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/derektait/3684321458/ [02/05/2012]

terry5732 (2012) Menter Clothing Store $1 Coupon Token [online] Minnesota: ebid. Available from: http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/menter-clothing-store-coupon-token-60873774.htm#pic [02/05/2012]