1950's

The influx (influence) of American cinema and television brought many new fashion ideas to the masses (masas) and prompted many young people to copy the fashion of their favourite movie stars.Marlon Brando starred (interpreto) as a misunderstood (incomprendido) motorbike punk in the film The Wild One(1953), dressed in blue jeans and a leather (cuero) jacket. James Dean was similarly dressedin his film Rebel Without A Cause (1955). Together, Dean and Brando inspired a generation of young men to emulate their attitude and style. Jeans, leather boots and a white t-shirt fast became a symbolof teenage rebellion for boys everywhere.

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Not all teenage boys adopted this look, though. Towards the end of the decade, many young men adopted the more tailored (adaotada,aceptada), British-influenced Teddy Boy style of dress - high-waisted, (tiro largo) narrow 'drain pipe' trousers (patalones), long jackets, slim ties and large, shiny pointed shoes called 'winklepickers'.Elvis Presley's style also struck a chord with the teen market. Youth (juventud) everywhere began sporting his slicked (peinado) back 'duck tail' hair style and long sideburns (patillas). Young men inthe 1950s began to wear brighter (brillante) colours and sharp,(elegantes) flashy (llamativos) suits were very trendy. Loose, unbuttoned shirts with upturned collars also became fashionable.

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Young women's fashion in the 1950s

Throughout the 1950s, young women's clothing was also influenced by the rock 'n' roll craze. Full skirts in bright colours become popular for dancingand skirts and pants were pinched (apretado) in at the waist (cintura) to emphasise the waist and bust. Young women also wore tight-fitting( ajustada) blouses tucked into slim-line calf-lengthtrousers called 'Capri' pants or 'pedal pushers'. Short ankle socks (calcetines), scarves (bufandas, pañuelos) tied (atados) around the neck and cropped cardigans were also popular.


Menswear in the...