Diors New Look

What is the Dior New Look?

Dior’s New Look refers to a collection of clothes released by the fashion designer Christian Dior in 1947.

Most famously, the “bar” suit from that collection, (below) is the most famous piece which took the fashion world by storm. 

It was dubbed The New Look by the press because it was a radical departure from practical fashion seen throughout WWII in the early and mid 1940s.

In contrast to more utilitarian 1940s fashion, the bar suit had a narrow waist and a full skirt.

Significance of Dior’s New Look

In order to understand the significance of Diors New Look, you need to first understand what fashion was like in the early 1940s.

Early and mid 1940s was wartime fashion was dictated by fabric restrictions and driven by the need for practicality. 

As a result, early and mid 1940s fashion was very utilitarian and military-inspired, cut close to the body in order to minimize fabric.

Fabric restrictions put in place during the war in the US and the UK dictated how much fabric could be used for different clothes.

Fabric restrictions even dictated a single breasted blazer over a double breasted blazer, hems had a max allowed width, and even the number of pockets was restricted.

After the end of WWII, in 1947, Christian Dior debuts His New Look which was radically different.

Instead of slim silhouettes making full use of fabric, his new look was the opposite.

It was shockingly opulent, with full skirts and fabric that disregarded any fabric restrictions and an emphasis on the feminine hourglass figure.

It wasn’t just a fashion statement, it was a symbol of the end of the war.

It was the end of wartime scarcity where even fabric was rationed to a new era with a return to abundance with no regard as to the amount of fabric used to make those full skirts on day dresses and evening gowns.

It symbolized hope and a new world past the horrors of world war II.

Related articles:
The Ultimate Guide to 1940s Fashion with Lots of Photos
The Ultimate Guide to 1950s Fashion for Women

Dior’s New Look influence on fashion 

What do you think of when you think of 1950s fashion?

Ultra-feminine, hourglass figures, defined waists with soft shoulders and full skirts?

Sound familiar?

That’s right, 1950s fashion was directly influenced by Dior’s New Look.

The New Look, although created in the late 1940s, defined women’s fashion for the following decade through the 1950s. 

1950s fashion was all about celebrating the feminine body and emphasizing all the right places, thanks to the influence of Christian Dior.

Major characteristics of Dior’s New Look

Dior’s New Look is recognizable by it’s emphasis on the feminine hourglass figure. 

Think a cinched waist contrasted by a full bust and hips.

Often full, flowy skirts, feminine details, and an emphasized waist and bust reveal influences from the Diors New Look.

Examples of fashion influenced by Dior’s New Look

​In 1951, Christian Dior designed a birthday dress for Princess Margaret for her 21st birthday. 

Her dress emulated the New Look in full swing.

Just check out how much fabric was required to make that skirt!

Grace Kelly’s 1950s Fashion in Rear Window.

The iconic dress Grace Kelly wore in rear Window, with lots of fabric on a full white skirt.

Related article:
Grace Kelly’s 1950s fashion in Rear Window (1954)

Audrey Hepburn’s fashion in Funny Face

Audrey Hepburn models a series of dresses in Funny Face showcasing the best of 1950s evening wear and definite influences from Dior’s New Look.

Related article:
Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Sensational Fashion