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Fifties to the present day - fashion and oppression

We're The Great Old Ones Now

15:33 / 02.10.03

I've suggested in Film and TV that there's a similarity between now and the fifties (link) in terms of both the politics of security - the fear of Communism then and Al Qaeda now. Now I notice in today's Independent an article discussing new fifties' style fashion (can't link to it for some reason, but it's on page 25 of the tabloid edition).

Is there a link between fashion and repressive times? Does fashion reflect political stances? And if so, what does today's fashion say?

Linus Dunce

09:26 / 03.10.03

It's a tricky one. I too think we have entered a new era of containment. But, IIRC, 50s fashion has been descibed as constraining only in reference to the form of women's underwear -- making women's bodies conform to an allowed sexuality -- and we don't have that now.

Or do we? Higher heels seem to be quite popular. Are they really a nod to fetishism or containment disguised as liberalism?

Tryphena Absent

09:34 / 03.10.03

The Independent website doesn't seem to be working particularly well at the moment. I can't access any of the archives at all so I was wondering if you could remember anything about the article Nick?

The thing about '50s fashion is that it appears to be so neat and thus repressive. The underwear acted as a constraining force but the outer garments always take on the role of their clean, less repressive and fresh face.

High heels might be repressive at first but it's really quite easy to walk in them after a while. Definitely more fetishistic than containing, particularly for women who get off on pain and I assume there are a lot considering the sheer number who are willing to wear 5" heels and say it doesn't bother them...

Linus Dunce

10:32 / 03.10.03

Yes, I think it looked neat especially because of the grooming that went along with it, which could be conformist as well.

I think high heels can look fantastic. Many people though have compared them to foot-binding in that you can walk in them but you can't run or fight back. I think it's a more complex argument really, but at the end of the day, high heels do make you look physically vulnerable.

Tryphena Absent

10:47 / 03.10.03

They're meant to, the way that the ankle arches when wearing high heels attracts the opposite sex because it gives the impression of vulnerability. As for not being able to run in heels- maybe that's true of Hollywood films but if you wear them enough it's not that hard. I find dancing easier when I'm wearing them and stiletto's are very effective weapons.

Linus Dunce

11:09 / 03.10.03

Hey, I do know some real-life women ya know! I think we must have different ideas on what constitutes running -- I'm talking dodging lamp posts, jumping over garbage bags, dashing across busy roads, Serpico stylee. :-)

gingerbop

12:53 / 03.10.03

I remember reading something about how the length of skirts in fasion related closely to the economy. But I cant remember which way round it went. I think it was, the better the economy, the shorter the skirt. But I cant understand why it would be so...
I think this may be an unhelpful post. Sorry.

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