During World War II and the 1940s, clothing was greatly influenced by rationing and limited quantities of fabrics, threads and needles, so the most popular look was a simple outfit using as little of these much in demand resources as possible. Once World War II and rationing ended, a new availability of different types of fabrics and larger quantities of these fabrics allowed a new type of fashion to bloom during the fifties, especially in the United States. Women's dresses in particular exploded with excess fabric, showing off intricate gatherings, a multitude of pleats, poofy petticoats, and fabulous collars, all made of the best taffeta, nylon, rayon, wool and leather in the brightest and boldest patterns and colors. The 1950's marked the beginning of one of the biggest economic booms in US history and spurred the rise of consumerism and American excess that has defined a lot of our culture in the US and worldwide for the past sixty years. Style Clothing became an important part of culture in the 1950s, with the country going through many societal and cultural changes. It would showcase one's place in society more so than ever before and became a way to express conformity and individual identity.