1950's Men's Fashion; The Wild Ones (From Worcester News)

1950's Men's Fashion; The Wild Ones

10:20am Monday 5th July 2010 in Retail Therapy By Lydia Johnson, Fashion and beauty writer

EVERYTHING about the 1950's needed a make-over. The atmosphere, the restrictions, and most importantly, the fashion. The war was over and everyone wanted to do what they could to put the devastation behind them. It was down to the new breed, know as Teenagers, to lead the way.

However, change did not come at once. Men had to spend a good part of the decade dressed stiffly and formally. They were expected to wear suits and hats at all times, apart from when they were relaxing at home. Were you to look out of your window on an early morning in 1950, you would see an army of suited clones marching to work, in a variety of greys, blacks and dark blues. As you can imagine, the single-breasted jacket made from either wool, silk or cotton was not the most exciting attire, but it was necessary.

Yet, as the decade progressed suits became much more relaxed and lively as the restrictions on fashion was loosened. Patterned suits became popular, decked with either thin stripes or a mild tweed. Also, no war meant more leisure time and from 1956 polo shirts and short sleeved shirts that buttoned at the front became available, giving men a chance to show their individuality more than any suit ever could.

However, it is clear that men's fashion in the 1950's was all about the Teddy Boys. With the birth of the teenager in the fifties, and youths wanting to differentiate themselves from their parents in terms of fashion and hobbies, when barriers came down and exports of film, magazine and fashion came flooding into the British market, it was the teenagers that hungrily acquired as much merchandise as they could. After the release of such movies as 'The Wild One' in 1953, and 'Rebel Without a Cause' in '55, teenage boys rushed out to imitate their idols Marlon Brando and James Dean in terms of their rebellious style of jeans and a t-shirt. But the Teddy Boys usually wore long drape jackets in dark shades, sometimes with pocket flaps and velvet-trim collars. 'Drainpipe' trousers which revealed very bright socks set off the look, along with either the large crepe-soled shoes, known as 'creepers', or winkle-pickers. Think of Danny from 'Grease', with his slicked back hair and quiff.

Although the Teddy boys and girls didn't have the most angelic reputation, their favourite past-times being violence, gang culture and rock 'n' roll, it can't be denied that they accomplished a huge amount for fashion at the time, as well as what was to come. The 1950's got the change it longed for, and it soon became clear that there was no turning back.