Usually, people from the 50s opt for cardigans or comfortable sweaters if they are going for a casual look. That should work, but it's not that different from modern simple fashion. Wear a long-sleeve button-down white blouse with a round neckline if you want more style.
Other early 1950s looks included long skirts with petticoats, tailored tweed dresses, low neckline and ankle-length dresses in gray, green, blue, purple, or pink. Men's fashion in the early 1950s still revolved around the three-piece suit.
Dressing like a 1950s woman involves embracing the feminine and elegant aesthetic of the era. This can be achieved by incorporating key elements such as full skirts, fitted tops, tailored dresses, and accessories like gloves, pearls, and cat-eye sunglasses.
Women's Trends of the 1950s: The Hourglass Silhouette Reigns
Now, shoulders were softened with padding that rounded them, waists were snatched and shrunk to Victorian proportions, and hips were exaggerated with tulle and crinolines that added bulk. The goal? A supremely “feminine” silhouette.
It goes without saying, but you should probably avoid anything that's a bit too bright and a bit too bold. Steer well away from acid colours, and while pastels can work in some cases, we wouldn't recommend wearing them all the time. You should also avoid graphics and patterns too.
In the 50s, everyone dressed nicely and had a put-together look when leaving their houses. Women wore longer skirts, and dresses, and had short, well-kept hair. Nowadays people are accepted even when wearing pajamas because that has been accepted into today's society.
The 1950s was a time of exploration for women who wore their hair long. Long, loose hair, generally with curls or waves, is a popular choice among women. The long hair was usually parted to the side or the middle and pinned back at the sides for a dressier effect.
There are two main silhouettes in 50s fashion – the wasp waist with full skirt and the slim fitting pencil skirt. Both are iconic 50s looks that prevailed until 1956 and can be portrayed as super sexy or fun and flirty – depending on how you wear them.
When planning a '50s-inspired outfit, one cannot overlook the quintessential swing dresses or pencil skirts that were the staple for women during this time. Dresses with cinched waists, full skirts, and polka dots or bold, block colors encapsulate the era's feminine charm.
TV shows like I Love Lucy, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and Father Knows Best were popular during the original Golden Age of Television era. The 1950s were the true birth of the rock and roll music genre, led by figures such as Elvis Presley (pictured), Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and others.
One noticeable change for women as they age is an increase in body fat. It is common to see a decrease in muscle mass, causing your body to feel less strong than it did in your youth. Women may also develop wrinkles from reduced elasticity and firmness of their skin, or thin and graying hair.
Celebrity culture was on the rise and with leading ladies such as Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield at the forefront, 1950s women were desperate to try out this trademark look. In the 1950s there were many different types of hairstyles, but the most popular ones were ponytails with a short fringe and a scarf bouffant.
In the 1950s, there were three popular color trends; pastel, Scandinavian, and modern. Pastel color schemes were huge in 1950s décor, with popular colors being pink, mint green, turquoise, pale yellow, and blue. Kitchens and bathrooms were the two most notable room types for pastel color decoration.
The 1950s was a decade marked by the post-World War II boom, the dawn of the Cold War and the civil rights movement in the United States.
Known fashion icons back then (like Marilyn Monroe) wore girdles around their hips to nip their bellies and waists. Early 50s style also consisted mainly of tailored tweed dresses, ankle-length dresses, low necklines, and long skirts with petticoats. Back then, Fashion had more rules and structure than now.
Petticoats can be added to fifties dresses and skirts with full enough skirts to accommodate them. I prefer my 1950s dresses without them but they are popular.
The key look of the 50's was the cinched waist and accentuated curves, adding and emphasizing classic femininity. However, more casual clothing also began to appear slowly and steadily such as pants, shorts, or sleeveless dresses.