The 1950s (Fashion Sourcebooks) [Paperback]

John Peacock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

The 1950s witnessed a new "doe-eyed" femininity in women's fashion. The clothes became more conventional, and women wore scarlet lips and fingernails. Dior's New Look influenced softer shoulders, corseted waists, and fuller longer skirts aided by petticoats. This book is part of a series charting the development of women's and men's clothing from 1900 onwards. It includes complete descriptions of each garment and accessories, itemizing colour, cut, necklines, lapels, sleeves, pockets, fastenings, buttons and belts. The year-by-year format progresses through day wear, evening wear, sportswear, leisurewear, underwear, negligee and wedding wear. The text is accompanied by costume drawings by John Peacock, and includes a chart summarizing the evolution of fashion, garment shapes, and biographies of the outstanding designers of the decade.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Peacock's many books include Costume: 1066-1990's, 20th Century Fashion, and Men's Fashion, all published by Thames and Hudson.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500279314
• ISBN-13: 978-0500279311
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,179,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Great drawings provide a general impression of era fashions., July 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The 1950s (Fashion Sourcebooks) (Paperback)

This book, like all those in the "Fashion Sourcebooks" series, is of relatively poor quality for one reason. The key is that the designs have been redrawn. This raises the possibility of aesthetic corruption- despite best efforts, it is impossible for someone of another time to accurately reproduce the aesthetic of the era. Only first generation sources- actual photographs, garments, illustrations, etc. from the actual era can be trusted to accurately portray dress of the era. The illustrations are very nice, but they are useful only as they present a general impression of fashions of the era, given that they are portrayed from an outsider's perspective.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Graphic Survey of Fifties Styles, October 2, 2000

By 

Bobby-o-daddy-o (Burlingham, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 1950s (Fashion Sourcebooks) (Paperback)

If you weren't around for the fifties (or just don't remember them because you went through the sixties) and you want to know what the styles were then this book is for you. A clear graphic presentation of how people dressed. Great if you want to get something together for that next fifties dance down in the gymn. It is also under 10 bucks. You can't go wrong. Anyways, these styles will be coming back soon (some already have) so be ahead of the pack by staying behind.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very educational and interesting, November 14, 2000

By 

Gabriellec (Tucson, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 1950s (Fashion Sourcebooks) (Paperback)

This is a good book to read. It's a beautifully illustrated paperback. The book talks about the development of women's and men's clothing from 1900 on, with a volume devoted to the fashions of each decade. John Peacock , the author, is a great fashion enthusiast, historian, and collector, and he provides inspiration to any designer or student working in the performing arts. this book covers Day Wear, Evening Wear, Sports and Leisure Wear, and accessories are included, and complete descriptions of each garment accompany the drawings, itemizing color, cut, necklines, sleeves, fastenings, buttons, and belts. I really enjoyed reading this book.