Fashions of a Decade: The 1950s [Hardcover]

Patricia Baker (Author), Patricia Baker (Author), Elane Feldman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1991

Surveys the fads, fashions, trends, and cultural and intellectual preoccupations of the self-satisfied, consumeristic 1950s.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-- Baker explains how Nazi invasions and Japanese bombings forced rapid economic and therefore fashion change. Rationing became the order of the day. To save material, skirts narrowed and shortened; the midriff was bared in swim suits; pockets, buttons, and trim were regulated; and attached coathoods were banned. Costantino looks at The 1930s , when 23 million people were out of work; even the rich found it necessary to watch expenditures carefully, and Coco Chanel reduced her prices by 50%. Splashed with full-color photos and illlustrations, plenty of verve, and enticing information, both books connect political and social history with the reasons people chose particular dress modes. The reading lists and other reference aids make them handy for researchers, but they are also delightful to browse through and certain to lead young people to ponder their own sartorial choices. Two books that will be interesting to anyone searching for the whys and wherefores of human identity.
- Cindy Darling Codell, Clark Middle School, Winchester, KY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Although this is part of the Fashions of a Decade series, there is almost as much here about the decade as there is about the fashion. The excellent photographs and illustrations, many from ads and magazines of the era, emphasize what was being shown by designers and worn by everyday women, but the text also discusses what was going on in the world: the cold war, segregation, the Cuban Revolution, and the role of women in society. There is also a good deal of information about the new miracle fabrics, such as rayon, that were taking over the fashion industry. Men's fashions are not neglected, with a discussion of both business wear ("The man in the gray flannel suit") and leisure wear. There is also an emphasis on the different ways that Hollywood influenced what a woman wore and how women were seemingly divided between girls next door and sirens. Organization is weak, but this will still work for report writers or browsers. Chronology and glossary appended. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File (May 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816024685
• ISBN-13: 978-0816024681
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #488,231 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for adults too!, April 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fashions of a Decade: The 1920s (Hardcover)

I thought this book was well written, even if it is supposedly for kids. It was full of information, pictures, and interesting trivia. As a free-lance writer and researcher of the Twenties, it's a good book to have in one's personal library!

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, March 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Fashions of a Decade: The 1940s (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book. Its an interesting read about the effect of WWII on world fashion and also a helpful resorce guide to fashion and trends of the era. I must for any vintage clothing collector or swing kid!

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Source Book for historical costumes!, March 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fashions of a Decade: The 1940s (Hardcover)

I found this book to be well writen and researched. The illustrations were great, and very inspiring. I can't wait to try and sew some of these fashions myself. The historical aspects of the Fashions of the 1940s was very informative.