Retro May

Fashion in 1951

In 1951 the fashion world seemed unsettled on exactly where the waistline should be. Many designers, especially Dior, employed various techniques that brought the waistline higher.

Life Magazine cover featuring Dior

A higher waistline gave the dress a longer look, when in fact most hemlines had only dropped about an inch.

Balenciaga went the other direction and took on a 1920s look, but it didn’t catch on like he’d hoped.

Many women went a different direction altogether, piecing together their own postwar look with wide skirts and tailored suits.

The wide look was accomplished by all-round pleating, flares and stiff crinoline petticoats. This fashion was first seen in American ready-to-wear collections and then later made its way back to Paris.

Remarkably, the United States was setting fashion trends around the world. The “American Look” especially appealed to the young.

In 1951 designers focused most of their efforts on innovating the sleeve. Shoulders were smooth, but some sleeves swelled drastically. Others jumped out in fans or tiered pagoda ruffles. Classic suits had three-quarter bell sleeves.

1951 also saw the return of the redingote as many women finally left their tent coats in the closet.

Other popular styles in 1951 include:

- tailored tweed dresses
- fur trimmings (Persian lamb, ocelot and civet cat)
- Short decollete dresses with cover-up jacket or bolero
- ankle-length dinner dresses
- overcoats made of shaggy material
- wide brimmed, shallow crowned hats
- small daytime hats adorned with jewels
- brooches
- inch-high Cuban heels

Popular colors in 1951:

- charcoal gray & gunmetal
- several types of greens (from emerald to dark fir)
- blues (in the turquoise to peacock range)
- royal blue & black combo
- Purple & lavender
- orchid pink