Good morning everybody ! As we are slowly starting off this beautiful but lazy Sunday, I thought we should move forward in our Fashion Evolution Journey. Today I finally made up my mind, the 1950s represent my all time favorite era (especially the late 50s), followed closely by the 1960s and finally adding the 1920s, that’s it, that’s my top 3.

The Groovy 1960s were a colorful decade, filled with mini skirts, leather boots and fake eyelashes.

“The early Sixties era of fashion was new couture at its best. The most influential image was the ‘Jackie Kennedy’ rich, manicured style of elegance. Some of the glamour of the Fifties was retained, though not the satins and silks. To achieve the new manicured smartness we were using grey flannel for evening, making it more feminine with white pique deep-rolling collars holding a single rose. For daywear, textile manufacturers had come up with new plastic-coated clothes, wonderful fine silk crepes and double-faced wools, all of which gave a crisp, carved look… The fashion emphasis was on a clean-cut and swinging look.” – Beril Jents Little Ol’ Beryl from Bondi –

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Despite my busy, busy schedule these last couple of days, I tried my best not to neglect the blog, but I somehow ended up neglecting the Fashion Nostalgia Series. The funny thing is, it happened right when I was about to post the pictures from my favorite fashion era – The Golden 1950s. Today, we pick-up where we left and continue following this journey, as we get closer and closer to the 80s, and that will be our final stop.

“Although a great deal has been written and spoken about Nylon, it still remains for many, a magic name. It is almost magical, of course, for it is very strong, quick to dry, light and beautiful. As a supporting fiber, nylon combines with other fibers such as cotton, silk, wool and rayon to make beautiful long-wearing fabrics in a variety of weights and textures.” – Butterick Fashion News, April 1950 –

“The question in every woman’s mind just now is, “What is going to happen about Dior‘s ‘H’ line and his even new ‘A’ line, and how much will they affect styles out here? As yet no one knows the answer. The matter is controversial. Italian designers, who now occupy so important a place in the fashion world, continue to stress the bosom and keep the waist in its normal position. Many of the top American and London coutouriers, on the other hand, favour the lengthened torso line which shifts the focus of attention from the bust and waist to the hips.” – Australian Home Journal, April 1955 –

“But what did I, out of Acton, know about the state of heels, the length of hems? In Paris Yves Saint Laurent had raised hemlines, though everyone else’s stayed mid-calf, and had brought out some ridiculous puffed skirts, and Chanel kept producing the same dull old suits, that much I knew: and you would see girls around with beehive hair-dos, high scratchy edifices which made them look scared and nervous – but fashion was just not my scene.” – Fay Weldon, Auto Da Fay –

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Changes and evolution in the 50s,for you to see more of this, I’ll upload the rest of the photos on Oteea Land (Facebook) this afternoon. Hugs.

The 1940s glam fashion in quotes, from different Australian Home Journal numbers of the early years :

Spring Dresses – Spring street costumes have a smart military dash this season…

Evening Dresses – Evening dresses do not make any lavish display of either chest or back. You remember the style that used to show so much of the back as to be almost indecent!
Frocks today depend on their drapings very largely, and in this regard there is much room for individual artistry. Artificial sprays are also used for corsage decoration. Hair dressing is short-waved; elaborate bunched up coiffures are things of the past. It is rare to see a full bare-armed evening frock; short puffed sleeves are de riguer.

Wasp Waist Returns – Hour glass figures are in again – the wasp waist that grandma had and grandpa loved. Victorian smartness seems a little distant, but do please remember that it can be done to-day. Just a matter of “foundations”.

Short Skirts – The recent announcement in the daily papers that skirts are to be shorter to conserve material, makes me think of a definite danger point in dress – too short skirts. Short skirts are charming on young people, and they’re quite good on even the elderly woman so long as she has slender legs. But they are positively horrible on the thick-legged woman, whatever be her age. So though you desire to follow all government suggestions, if your legs are stubby, don’t have your skirts too short… “

Australian Home Journal, 1940 – 1942

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Because it’s pretty late now, I promise that tomorrow you will find the rest of the 1940s pictures on Oteea Land (Facebook). We’re getting closer to the ’50s (yay) and they are amongst my favorites, so I’m excited about them, but that’s a whole other story. XO

Everybody must know by now that 1920s is the decade in which fashion entered its modern era and since then, it was better described as the Roaring Twenties. When I imagine this amazing period of time, I think about old Paris streets (don’t ask me why), Greta Garbo, I see young, rebellious flappers, couples dancing foxtrot, I hear jazz playing in dance clubs. This era belongs to my top 3 all-time favorite decades, how wonderful it would have been to live back then ?

“Dressing in the morning, especially for busy housewives, is made a very much more simple proceeding, nowadays, than it used to be; just a skirt, with one fastening at the waist, and a slip on jumper without any fastenings at all, and one is ready for the morning’s work in less time than it takes to write about it! No long plackets, no belt, no collars or ties or cuffs to be fastened, no broach or hook or button or pin – we hardly know ourselves these days!” – Everylady’s Journal, December 1921 –

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Now turn on youtube, listen to some 20s music like for example Fanny Brice – I’d Rather Be Blue Over You and go through the rest of the pictures on Oteea Land‘s Facebook Page. By the way, after we finish going through all the fashion eras, I so wish you would tell me what’s your favorite one, either on Facebook or here on the blog, I’m very curious :). XO