Dior's New Look

70 years ago this past February, Christian Dior brought out his "New Look". It put Paris and fashion back on the world's front page of newspapers. It signaled the end of war time austerity.
PBS' current Masterpiece series 'The Collection' is a veiled look at those heady days but they have used a fictitious Fashion House, with Nazi collaborator undertones for its story. Having lived through those times, and having a mother who loved fashion and told me stories about the impact of The New Look, it is interesting to me; However, I find this Masterpiece production below their usual fine standard. Watch it to see what Mary Quant was rebelling against in the 1950's with her mini skirts and "Mod" look which truly caught on in the sixties with the Beatles music and fashion melding together in pop culture sensibilities.

Quote from DW.com:
Sociologists and historians who've analyzed the first post-World War II years agree. The long hems and petticoats made of yards of fabric were a sign of the end of the governmental restrictions on materials, while the comeback of corsets signalized the return of women from offices, hospitals, and munitions factories back to homes.

men and women

Let's start with an unusual example. Forty years ago, I was in a  Urban Geography lecture, the lecturer was actually also my friend and mentor. The class began discussing an issue concerning The Toronto Islands. When the islands were acquired by the city for recreational purposes, there were residents on it who were permitted to stay. The homes were to be acquired later as they became vacant. That never happened. Many owners, moved out but rented the houses to people who were warned that it could not be a permanent situation. Now decades later, the City wanted the houses to use the land for "The people of Toronto" It was the Seventies, so, naturally, there were marches protests, etc "Save the Island Homes."
I actually felt that they SHOULD be evicted. The renters knew exactly what the deal was; why complain now. I wanted the greater good to prevail and said so in the class discussion.
The lecturer said, "Yes, Michael, but sometimes we need to re-assess our position. It is OK to change our minds. Having people living on the Islands is a good thing for the whole city. Haven't you ever changed your mind?"
Well... he was exactly right. I was annoyed at people who knew what they were getting into claiming "It's my home, leave me alone." They should have known better. However, having citizens in the heart of city is a good thing for everyone. I should change my mind.
Well, back in those days, just like so many other young men, I called women "girls" thought it OK to "check them out" and went up to women I did not know and ask "would you like to go for a coffee?" (For what it is worth, my success rate was dismal. That should have told me something  about my approach, rather than about my looks.)
Anyway, the times have changed, so should we men. It is not OK to view women in that fashion. Everyone is NOT dating material. I do believe I changed my attitude all those decades back, because I was fortunate enough to mix with women who were intelligent and modern and let me know how they wanted to be treated. I lived my life accordingly.
It is entirely possible. However, it is not just women who should be calling out men about their behaviour, we men  need to call out our friends who treat women this way, too. Society has changed, we men must do so, too.