HOW POPULAR DRESS STYLES FOLLOWED AND PROMOTED CULTURAL CHANGE – 1950’S ERA

In the decade that followed World War 2 the image of women in society had been changed by the independence and social involvement required of them during the 1930’s Depression era and the war effort of the 1940’s. Although our culture still expected most women to be homemakers, the surge in average family income and more modern lifestyles encouraged them to become drivers of the consumer economy, which meant getting out in society more often and more visibly.

A woman who wanted to see herself as a benevolent member of her community often participated in volunteer work and this was a step up in her social standing. Sophisticated wardrobes were a part of the image-marketing aimed toward women. Many were still economical do-it-yourselfers and were avid consumers of craft magazines. Tomorrow we’ll continue the journey as this dream lifestyle expanded in the fashion worlds of mid-century women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HEY, MOM – I NEED A HALLOWEEN COSTUME! NO WORRIES FOR OUR 1950’S HOMEMAKER . . .

McCALL’S NEEDLEWORK SPRING CARDIGANS FROM 1961

IMG_1086IMG_1087IMG_1088IMG_1089     Dig the hairstyles, too.  Now that Christmas and New Year’s celebrations were over, women in 1961 turned their attention to Spring and travel styles, as well as Prom & Easter.

With the crazy weather, we’re also thinking of flowers and sunny colors.  Although our grandmothers and great-grandmothers thought about new needlework projects  in their spare time, it’s still FASHION, and we continue to think about it now, but in different ways (what’s on my favorite Internet site?).

in 1961, the subscribers to McCall’s Needlework and Crafts magazine looked forward to these styles.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

MID-CENTURY WOMEN HAD FUN MAKING DECORATED SWEATERS & COLLARS

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This was a really big thing in the Forties, Fifties and early Sixties. Hand-decorated clothing, decor and gifts were things that most women did at one time or another. It was more than just a hobby.

During the 1940’s, when so much was rationed and unavailable to buy, it is how women made up for the things they couldn’t get any other way. This was probably true in the Thirties, too, during the Depression.

In the 1950’s, during those Happy Days, it became part of leisure time activity and another expression of women’s love of pretty things and an abundant lifestyle.

These magazines that were given to me really highlight how the handicraft trade was marketed to women aggressively – it was part of women’s role and almost a duty as a homemaker. Take a close look . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

McCALL’S NEEDLEWORK SPRING CARDIGANS FROM 1961

McCALL'S NEEDLEWORK SPRING CARDIGANS FROM 1961.

McCALLS 1961 NEEDLEWORK MAGAZINE SAYS – START KNITTING YOUR NEW YEAR’S DRESSES NOW!

McCALLS 1961 NEEDLEWORK MAGAZINE SAYS – START KNITTING YOUR NEW YEAR'S DRESSES NOW!.

SPEAKING OF FIFTIES & SIXTIES SWEATERS – SOME FUN EXAMPLES TO KNIT AT HOME!

SPEAKING OF FIFTIES & SIXTIES SWEATERS – SOME FUN EXAMPLES TO KNIT AT HOME!.

MID-1950’S FASHION PHOTO FROM MCCALL’S NEEDLECRAFTS MAGAZINE

MID-1950'S FASHION PHOTO FROM MCCALL'S NEEDLECRAFTS MAGAZINE.

1950’S NEEDLEWORK OUTFIT THAT FOLLOWED THE PARIS TRENDS – TO MAKE IN HER SPARE TIME

1950'S NEEDLEWORK OUTFIT THAT FOLLOWED THE PARIS TRENDS – TO MAKE IN HER SPARE TIME.