With the turn of the new season and everyone looking forward to some new style advice for Spring Summer ’15, we roll back the years and a take a look at some of the most stylish fashion statements of the 50’s, vintage retro looks, that have endured the test of time and still continue to woo people today.

1. Vintage Prints and Patterns

Post World War II and the tragedy that it bought along with it, there was a need to try shake things up and experiment with what men wore- one way they did this is through prints and patterns, making them one of the distinguishing marks of true 50s style. The retro look patterns started off with checks, transformed into stripes, pastel shades, plaits and the ever present argyle pattern. Vintage Prints and patterns made a big come back in early 2000 after remaining dormant for a few decades and are in great demand around the world.

2. Vintage Khadi Garments

The vintage Khadi style movement, started by Mahatma Gandhi in the 20’s, was an integral part of the freedom struggle to show that Indian’s could be self-reliant on cotton and be free from the costly clothes that the British were selling them. Retro style Khadi, as a material, truly came to the fore in the late 40’s, closer to India’s Independence. What started off as a freedom statement has now widely been accepted as the definition of ethnic fashion around India. Recognized brands such as Fab India, Biba & Levis are the forefront of using Khadi in their designs and taking the material to an international stage.

3. Retro style Floral Pattern Dress

Although retro style floral printed clothing have been around for hundreds of years, originating in the beautiful, ornate designs of the Far East; the floral dress really only took off in a big way when machine printed chintz could be produced en masse. In the early 20th century, off the rack floral print dresses became hugely popular. However, prior to its introduction into western culture, chintz was a stunning handmade textile primarily used in Indian home décor.

4. Vintage Madras Checks

The Madras Checks or the Bleeding Madras went into production in the late 50’s. Designed and manufactured in Madras. The look of the fabric changed each time it was washed – due to the colors running, hence the name Bleeding Madras. Initially made of a light, cotton fabric, later variations contained polyester as well. The material and design caught the fancy of the western world and went on to become a must have in the fashion conscious’ wardrobe. It is still considered to be one of the few styles ‘to never go truly out of style’.

5. Polka Dots Retro Style Dresses

While the polka dots appeared first in the 1840’s on bowties and hand kerchiefs, it made a huge come back in the 60’s, with some referencing Brian Hyland’s ‘Itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini’ as the anthem that revived the style. This was followed by Walt Disney introducing Minnie Mouse in her famous red and white polka dress in 1961 and the style has ever since been in vogue.

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