1940’s-50’s Music and Dance The decade’s fashions was heavily influenced by the birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The term “rockabilly” is a portmanteau of “rock,” from rock and roll, and “hillbilly”, the latter a reference to the country music (often called “hillbilly music” in the 1940s and ’50s) that contributed strongly to the style’s development. Other important influences on rockabilly include Western Swing, blues music, boogie woogie, and Jump blues.
Music in the fifties was more than just rock ‘n roll. Crooners like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Dinah Shore were all popular. The growing interest and faith in American music, along with the eagerness of large orchestras, opera companies and smaller ensembles to play native music encouraged production beyond any other single period in US history. What rockabilly was to the traditional sensibilities of mainstream music of the late 40s to early 50s, rockabilly fashion was to the buttoned up, conservative look of the post war era. Most characterizes the 1950’s was the strong element of conservatism and anticommunist feeling which ran throughout much of society.Religion was seen as an indicator of anticommunism. Fifties clothing was conservative. Rock and Roll was a fanatically popular dance movement. Developing in the 1950s in response to rock and roll music, it was very popular in Australia and was danced socially, competitively and in performances.
While rockabilly was a fairly narrow window of time and a style not readily “defined” by those wearing it as a specifically identifiable look, it is easy to see looking back what types of clothing contributed to what we now refer to as rockabilly. Throughout this decade, young women’s clothing was heavily influenced by the rock ‘n’ roll craze. Full skirts in bright colours become popular for dancing and skirts and pants were pinched in at the waist to emphasise the waist and bust. Young women also wore tight-fitting blouses tucked into slim-line calf-length trousers called ‘Capri’ pants or ‘pedal pushers’. Short ankle socks, scarves tied around the neck and cropped cardigans were also popular. Everyday shoes of the 1940’s consisted of several new styles the slingback, peep toe, wedge and mixes of these styles were what every women had in her closet.
1940’s-50’s Relating to Fashion It was Dior’s belief that women were fed-up with the uniforms and unadorned clothing of WWII. A new lady-like charm was being adopted by post war women, mentioned before, who were mimicking screen idols such as Grace Kelly. The New Look took women back to the simpler, traditional days of their great-grandmothers; Vogue described The New Look as being “from the era of Madame Bovar.
The Zoot Suit was the height of fashion among daring young men until the War Production Popular Sweater and hairstyle of the forties Department restricted the amount of fabric that could be used in men’s garments. The same restrictions led to the popularity of the women’s convertible suit, a jacket, short skirt, and blouse. The jacket could be shed for more formal attire at night. Silk stockings were unavailable, so, to give the illusion with stockings with their prominent seam, women would draw a line up the backs of their legs with an eyeliner.