Take a look at these outfits and fashion shows from over 70 years ago.
In 1953 Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell dazzled in the classic musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The film follows Monroe and Russell as two gorgeous girls and best friends who travel from America to France on a cruise, and each scene is characterized by an array of fabulous outfits.
Fashion of the era celebrated the hourglass silhouette and a tailored feminine look was given to everything with lots of suits and peplum detailing. This post-war fashion was also accessorized with gloves and pearls or other jewelry. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a snapshot of this moment in style on the big screen, but Vancouver had a thriving fashion scene at this time that we could also turn to for a glimpse into the past.
Department stores such as Eaton’s (which closed in 2002) and Hudson’s Bay would hold fashion shows in their stores and showcase the latest trends in swimwear, bridal, formal and casual wear.
The photos are in black and white, so we can’t tell the exact shades that were most popular, but textures and patterns like stripes and polka dots are a common theme.
These photos are a mix of fashion shows, display cases and designer photos from 1943 (during the war) to 1949, which was the forerunner of 1950s fashion. Hats were also super popular and many outfits were designed with matching caps.
One aspect that hasn’t aged well is the photography style. Fashion photography has come a long way since the 1940s and 50s when the preferred angle was from below and extremely wide, so it’s hard to make out the details of the outfit.
