The flirty ‘50s have made an appearance in clubs and streets, hidden behind red lips and a curvy class that women have neglected for the past decade. Helping to readjust the public’s focus on womanly figures in contemporary fashion, the knee length dresses and wavy locks are back.
Political science major Kassidy Worthwine dressed as a fifties pin-up girl for Halloween last year.
“I love that the fifties pin-up girl style is sexy yet still very tailored and tactful. The high waists, the bandeau and balconet tops, the pumps –they all add sex appeal without being provocative and tacky,” Worthwine said.
Fifties trends are becoming fashion forward in today’s generation as the 2000s have turned into a fashion time machine that is revamping and modernizing the styles of the past. Pin-up girls have traded spaces from a night of playful dress up to a way of transforming a woman’s look.
“I love the fifties-girl style because it’s all about glamour and being a classic beauty, and the look works in our generation because individualism is important. Starting trends is cooler to do,” Education major Katie Warmbier said.
According to History.Com, because of the war in the 1940s, there was a general moving away from frivolous dressing. It said that the government asked designers not to be wasteful, including using unnecessary amounts of fabric, materials and trimming. This is what created the knee length style that is making an appearance today. Replacing the mini skirt with the knee length skirt has become a classic and classy way for a woman to feel like a real lady.
“I was inspired to dress up in the 50s pin-up style because I love that time period and what it represents for women,” Worthwine said.
Worthwine is inspired by the way women from the ‘50s took pride in exhibiting power and sass through their clothing choices.
“They were always put together and composed, yet expressed dominance through their sex appeal–something that men tend to lack,” Worthwine said.
Fifties pin-up hairstyles were soft and curly. Straight hair was out of style yet short and wavy hair was in style. Young women often tied their hair back in a ponytail and circled it with a pretty scarf.
“Waving my hair and pulling it back into an up-do works perfectly with a deep red lipstick. I think the attitude is just as important as pulling the look off,” Warmbier said.
Similar to popular television shows like “Mad Men” or movies like “Some Like It Hot,” having a coy and mysterious attitude can enhance effect of the style greatly.
“I also am a curvy girl so this style compliments my body really well,” Warmbier said.
Desire and fantasy are associated with the idea of the pin-up as fashion icons and movie stars during the 1950s were idolized if they were able to pull off this look with ease.
“The look works in our generation because women, while increasing in the work field, can exert power through sex appeal and embrace their femininity while still remaining tactful and classy,” Worthwine said.
Chanel, like Northface and Obey, is a known brand among Idaho’s student body. It has existed since the ‘50s when it produced boxy classic Chanel jackets and slim skirts in braid trimmed and textured tweeds. The full skirt persisted in the 1950s, lines were accentuated, and waistlines were high, according to History.Com.
“It’s a look that is a breath of fresh air for people. There is still something so feminine about being composed and put-together and while it’s no longer expected, it’s still some worth embracing,” Worthwine said.
Clothes are apart of being realistic as students don’t often change their personal style with every trend. Clothing choices in this generation are continually mixing today’s world and the old one. With top brands like Chanel that have style that exist to this day, the 2000 era can expect more from the pin-up era to come.
Isla Brazzil can be reached at [email protected]