1950s Vintage Style Guide | Women's Retro Fashion | House of Foxy (2024)

FAQs

How to dress like a woman from the 1950s? ›

The fashion trend back then for women was all about fitted and flowing skirts, tight bodices, and high heels. This style aims to bring out a woman's appeal and charm. Overall, one can describe the 50s fashion style as well-groomed, smartly-dressed, put-together, and glamorous.

Classic fashion is the highlight of the '50s, where the dressing was simple, subtle, and awe-inspiring. Cashmere blazers, basic cardigans, and wool coats were every man's staple, and long flair dresses and full skirts with a little reveal were women's favored styles.

Thanks to popular films like Grease and West Side Story, the greaser look is one of the most common associated with 1950s fashion. This style consisted of dark jeans, solid black or white t-shirts, leather jackets worn with leather boots or Chuck Taylor All-Stars.

1950s color Colors There were three major color trends in the 50s; pastel, modern and Scandinavian. Pastel colors that were particularly popular were pink, turquoise, mint green, pale yellow and blue. Modern colors were clean and bright and included vibrant yellow, electric blue, orange, red, black and white.

“from the comparatively early days of the 'New Look,' when the square shoulders and masculine details of the 1940s still lingered, through the ultra-feminine and luxurious styles of the mid-1950s – clothes with gently softened shoulderlines, tiny corseted waists, roundly padded hips and long, swirling skirts only ...

Pair your jeans with a fitted button-down or blouse in a bold print or vibrant color. This will add some personality and playfulness to your outfit while staying true to the retro vibe. Complete your ensemble with vintage-inspired accessories like cat-eye sunglasses, statement jewelry, and a colorful headscarf.

Don't keep items 'for best'

Wear a dressy top with your jeans for a less dressy night out, or dress down a smarter pair of trousers by wearing them with a jumper or casual top. Start wearing your clothes and enjoying the confidence that comes with wearing things you feel good in.

1950's Trends

1950's fashion was casual yet formal and elegant. Shoulder lines became more softened, corset waists became smaller, and rounded hips with long skirts became popular. The iconic gray felt poodle skirts emerged with white bobby socks and saddle shoes.

The 1950s house dress is also sometimes referred to as a shirtwaist dress, as it often, but not always, buttoned down the front, or on the “shirtwaist.” It was met at the waist in a delightful gathering of pin tucking and then extended out in a circle skirt. And as for length?

How did girls dress in the 50's? ›

Blouses and trousers—simple everyday fashion

In contrast to haute couture, which is characterized by elegance rather than suitability for everyday wear, women in the late 1950s wore simple skirts, pants, blouses and shirt dresses. In addition, the blouson was worn as a loose, hip-length blouse with a belt.

In the 1950s, mid-century modern design was brought into the limelight. The color palette reflected the optimism of the post-war era, with vibrant and pastel hues stealing the spotlight.

Also, retro color palettes don't draw from primary colors like red, blue, and yellow, but more often from secondary colors like tangerine oranges, teal blues, and apple greens. They can even involve neutrals, like creams, yellows, yellow-browns, teal, pale peach, brownish oranges, and a range of pastel colors.

For daytime, the most common fabrics were in naturals, rayon, nylon, poly-cotton blends, and sometimes acrylic and acetate; sweaters were wool (cashmere for status) or acrylic knit. Brocades, satin, velveteen, taffeta, nylon net, tulle, and chiffon in both natural and synthetic fabrics were reserved for evening.

Key designs for the decade included dresses with cinched waists, pencil skirts, poodle skirts, gingham and polka dot garments, cropped sweaters and cardigans, and much more. The key shape for the decade was a feminine, exaggerated hourglass silhouette.

Women were expected to marry, have children, and devote themselves to maintaining a home and being the primary caretaker of the children. The dichotomy between male and female gender roles during this decade make it an important period for study. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.

In the 1950s, the hourglass figure became popular once more, and women were encouraged to be as busty and curvaceous as possible. There were even advertisem*nts that urged women to gain weight so that they could fill out their curves.