The New Look was the name given to the clothing fashions introduced by Parisian fashion designer Christian Dior in the spring of 1947. This collection influenced fashion and other designers for over ten years. Contrary to what people today might think, the signature shape -- full-skirted, mid-calf length, small-waisted, large-breasted -- was hugely popular after an short initial period of rejection. Dior also presented a tight-skirted silhouette, still mid-calf and with very low necklines. Both the full-skirted shape and the skin-tight straight skirt were extremely popular with teenage girls during the 1950s, and they were especially suited for petite figures. Even so, the silhouette was widely considered flattering, even for older women, especially for evening wear .

Large busts were also emphasized again, after being restrained since 1912, and the square masculine shoulder pads of the late 1930s and wartime 1940s were finally banished from the world of female fashion. The New Look was both womanly and sophisticated, as one can see reflected in the movies of the era. Ava Gardner was one of the actresses of that time who could wear the New Look with great effect.

Fine dressmaking made a comeback, as the construction of the desired shapes needed a fine designer hand and skilled dressmakers. The details seen in these New Look fashions seem very fine when compared with the results of cheap manufacturing and unflattering one-pattern-fits-all design.

New Look is also a teen high street shop, popular with the younger adolescents. It sells cheap clothing and jewelry and some lingerie and shoes.