Fashions of a Decade: 1950s by Patricia Baker is mostly slanted towards North America, where the 1950’s were a time of peace and prosperity. These easier years in turn gave women more freedom and the luxury of time and money to spend on fashion. This book barely skims the surface of the various fashion trends of the 50’s, but certainly touches on the best known milestones.

The book explains how many of the inventions that came out of the war were now being applied to daily life and that fashion was no exception. The introduction of many man-made fabrics such as Nylon, Rayon and Orlon changed how women dressed and cared for their clothes. Both movies and the actors in them had much influence. Marlon Brando’s black leather jacket, Carol Baker’s baby doll pyjamas and Marilyn Monroe’s famous halter top dress in Seven Year Itch, all became fashion icons.

I enjoyed this book but wished it was both longer and gave more details. But if you are in the mood for a quick stroll through the fashions of the 1950’s, then put on your little black dress or your grey flannel suit, mix up a batch of martini’s and give this book a try. ( )