Check out the link to see some great photos of the birth of Dior's "New Look." This new look featured a nipped in waist on coats/tops and a full skirt falling just below the mid calf. Number 9 is my favorite, a group of young women crowded around an older Mr. Dior giving him "thank you" kisses on the cheek...I would too :)
This second link is to "Voguepedia" or a fashion dictionary by non other than Vogue. It gives a wonderful description of the style, how it emerged and social conditions around it. In some regards the style was quite controversial. History and fashion go hand in hand.
http://www.vogue.com/voguepedia/New_Look
