Viva Cinquenta!

CEBU, Philippines - From bombshell to roackabilly babe, there is much to love about 1950s fashion. The decade has been one of iconographic associations to say the least, marked with the classic symbols that have made its way to pop art, as well as the music you cannot help but twist your hips to. 

The 1950s fashion inspiration has been bubbling up the surface since last year although it hasn’t been given the chance to fully manifest itself beyond the runway. Last year swelled with appliqué leather jackets, full skirted silhouettes, rockabilly hairstyles, and the iconic cat’s eye glasses. 

The 1950s is era specific and I cannot help but think of Katy Perry’s California Girls when I think of this decade as images of Americana and other particular era-specific things are washed up from some backwater of the mind: giggling girls in poodle skirts or high-cut bikinis, neck scarves and button-up knits, flashy, over-sized cars, boys with greased quiffs, and of course, the kind of rock ‘n roll music you simply can’t keep your whole body from moving to. 

However, just like the revivals that have popped up since last year, the goal is not to cut and paste the clichés that the decade is known for as if you’d be off to a costume party. For 2012, the trick is to pull together the little seeds of inspiration to create a modern mix of the decade that’s both fearless and fun.

Nothing speaks summer fashion better than the 1950s. And as is the case for all previously-revived decades, the trick really is to carefully choose the elements that will suit you and work them into a fresh remix. For summer 2012, we categorize the contemporary 1950s fash into three key categories so you’ll know where exactly to draw inspiration from.

Rockabilly Babe

Consider this a total gender bender among all the three looks set to blaze the 1950s fashion scene as this injects a lot of greaser boy attitude while still rocking the runway with a feminine vibe. Incredible how Muccia Prada manages to peddle this trend by sending a dash of thematic whirlwinds of hot rod motifs and homemade bobby-pinned curls. The inspiration from Prada will point you to boob-tubes paired with high-waisted pencil skirts, feminine pleat dresses in panels of candy colors, and the ubiquitous hot rod heel.

The androgynous twist comes by mixing up the look with the greaser man’s rockabilly quiff juxtaposed with skinny jeans, sharp masculine shoes, pinned-up rolled floral or checked sleeves, and an attitude that’s one for the troublemaking cool bunch.

Italianate Bombshell

Honestly, nothing is sexier than the Mediterranean beauty of the 1950s: the sunkissed skin, the hourglass silhouette, the voluminous strands of wavy dark hair, and the unruffled sensuality. Consider the cinched waists and the tousled French twists of the Dolce & Gabbana runways to effectively convey this vibe. Complete with woven straw handbags and vegetable motifs, the bombshell vibe is about conjuring a Sophia Loren-like lass amidst the ambient romance of some local village street market.

Another take on 50s dressing that will easily merge with the 60s fashion, key elements to rocking the bombshell vibe is to consider the hourglass figure, the headscarves, the cat’s eye glasses, and the elegant stiletto heels and summer wedges to create a sultry 1950s vixen.

Elegant Housewife

The couture collections of how spring views formal and evening dressing is clearly inspiration drawn from 50s style icons. Lace, for one, made the move from vampish to elegant with prom-stle gowns that came in soft, edible tones. Chiffon, this time around, was given its time to shine. One might say that Grace Kelly could have beent he pin-up girl of the couture season should the creations of Elie Saab and Valentino be the benchmarks.

When it comes to ready-to-wear summer stuff, delicate prom-shapes were given a new lease on life with a minimalist reworking at the runways of Jil Sander and Nina Ricci where a full skirt in crisp white became this year’s equivalent of the ‘50s garden party dress. For an alternative to the full skirt, a pair of ginham pants or a calf-length sheath dress will do well on the elegant vintage belle. (FREEMAN)