What We Wore | A history of fashion from 1720 to 1982
Men, Women and Clothes | Informal Clothes
Everyday wear from the last 200 years.
CHANNEL | BBC Television Service
FIRST BROADCAST | 19 May 1957
DURATION | 14 minutes 17 seconds
FIRSTBROADCAST
1957
Synopsis
In this programme Doris Langley Moore talks about how the capriciousness of fashion is demonstrated most readily in informal clothes, which are less expensive and therefore changed more frequently than formal attire. We are also shown an original example of the revolutionary Dior 'New Look' suit of 1947 alongside the boxy, utilitarian alternative favoured by the British Government, no less.
Did you know?
Dora Bryan, stalwart of British cinema throughout the 1940s and 1950s, appears in this programme demonstrating her batting skills in a 19th-century outfit.
Contributors
Associated subjects
Related BBC Links
Related External Links
More like this...
Men, Women and Clothes | How Fashions Come and Go
The BBC's first ever series in colour explores the history of fashion.
Men, Women and Clothes | Sense and Nonsense in Fashion
Irrational clothes - a look at why we wear things we can't function in.
Men, Women and Clothes | Fashions in Faces and Figures
How fashion dictates body shape and facial decoration.
Men, Women and Clothes | Formal Clothes
From christenings to funerals - how clothes signify important occasions.
Men, Women and Clothes | Informal Clothes
Everyday wear from the last 200 years.
Men, Women and Clothes | Facing the Elements
'The purpose of most fashion is to be ostentatiously non-functional.'
Clothes That Count | Shirt Waister
Keep up to the minute by making this attractive and versatile dress.
Clothes That Count | Suit
Suits for women of all shapes, sizes and postcodes.
Clothes That Count | A Double-Breasted Coat
Solve your outer-wear problems with a fashionable and functional coat.
New Clothes That Count | Suit
Look smart and stylish with this trendy suit.
Knitting Fashion | Setting the Style
Making fashionable garments at a fraction of the retail cost.
Knitting Fashion | Design for Yourself
In fashion 'all designers should be obsolete'.
Documents
Letter from Clarence House about 'Men, Women and Clothes'
The Queen Mother sends her appreciation of 'Men, Women and Clothes'.
Audience Research Report on Men, Women and Clothes
The BBC's report into what audiences thought about the first episode of 'Men, Women and Clothes'
'Radio Times' Special Supplement on Dressmaking - Part One.
The first of a two-part, graphics-laden supplement to accompany the series 'Clothes That Count'.
'Radio Times' Special Supplement on Dressmaking - Part Two.
The second of a two-part, graphics-laden supplement to accompany the series 'Clothes That Count'.
Audience Reaction to 'New Clothes That Count'
Viewing figures for the programme and responses from members of the public.
A BBC memo about a book tie-in.
Suggestions for ways of extending the popularity of the television series on knitting.
A forthright memo replying to a publications executive.
A no-holds-barred rejection of suggested ideas for books to accompany the TV series.
bbc.co.uk navigation
Site links
BBC links
© 2012
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.