Look at these clothes and fashion shows from 70 years ago.
In the year In 1953, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell were impressed by the classic musical. A gentleman prefers blondes. The film follows Monroe and Russell as two showgirls and best friends on a cruise from America to France, and each scene is shot in a number of stunning costumes.
Contemporary fashion celebrated hourglass silhouettes and a refined feminine look was given to everything with lots of baggy and peplum details. This post-war fashion is set with gloves and pearls or other jewelry. A gentleman prefers blondes It’s a snapshot of this moment on the big screen, but Vancouver had a thriving fashion scene during this time that we can turn to for a glimpse into the past.
Department stores such as Eaton’s (which went out of business in 2002) and Hudson’s Bay hold fashion shows in their stores and showcase the latest swimwear, bridal, formal and casual wear.
The photos are in black and white so we can’t recreate the exact colors that were so popular, but texture and patterns like stripes and polka dots are a common theme throughout.
These photos are a mix of fashion shows, window displays and designer portraits from 1943 (during the war) to 1949 which was a precursor to 1950s fashion. Hats were also very popular and many outfits were made with matching hats.
One aspect that hasn’t aged well is the photographic style. Fashion photography has come a long way since the 1940’s and 50’s, the favored angle is from the bottom and is so wide that it is difficult to make out the details of the dress.
