1950s Fashion History: Women’s Clothing
When you consider 1950s fashion, certain preconceptions could come from out of nowhere. Perhaps you consider poodle skirts and saddle shoes, the ever-famous bullet bra, or perhaps the traditional housewife from the 1950s, scrubbing the home in her heels and pearls.
Unlike the “90s, which are clearly making a return right now, it may be challenging to find how “50s” looks would fit into your daily wardrobe. But because some of the fundamental characteristics of 1950s fashion are so universal, it has really avoided becoming a trend.
As usual, we will begin below with some historical context on 1950s fashion. We will next get to the fun part and show how you may dress for the 1950s.
Fashion from 1950–1952
The decade began with conflict and a return to traditional ideals. The war enabled mass manufacture and synthetic fabrics, which countered evening wear’s elegance. After the hardship, fabric shortages forced the refurbishing of many used clothing.
Perfectly clothed at home
Fashion in the 1950s was elegant. Women were expected to look their best at home and out. Elegant evening clothing uses velvet, tulle, and silk. Manufacturers are using wool and cotton more throughout the day.
Wasp waist and bodice — perfect hourglass figure
It is very commonplace for ladies to push themselves into tight corsets to attain the wasp waist ideal favored by designers such as Dior. In the United States, in particular, there was first a storm of protest against the perfection of clothes, but it quickly became a mainstream ideal there as well.
At the same time, the vogue for figure-hugging garments and hourglass forms, started by Dior, revitalized the demand for corsetry. Finally, the silhouette was also dictated by undergarments, such that waspies, girdles and horsehair pads witnessed a large surge in sales. In addition, the so-called cathedral bra with its shaping underwires was popularized by Marilyn Monroe and other stars.
Suits Office Outfits
For the expanding number of office positions, men are dressed in sober, generally double-breasted suits in subdued colors, with wide shoulders and boxy designs. With the relaxation of fabric constraints, trousers are growing broader and typically include lapels. Knickerbockers and leather shorts give diversity. Men, too, are expected to be flawlessly groomed, with impeccably paired accessories. Working women typically arrive to the workplace with a short, close-fitting waistcoat coupled with loose jackets.
Nylon Outfit
With the postwar economic boom, new synthetic fabrics like polyester and rayon expanded rapidly. Acrylic, triacetate, and spandex have also made their way into the fashion industry. Nylon is frequently used, particularly for undergarments, nightgowns, and the well-known stockings, but also for the traditional white men’s shirt — and has quickly displaced silk stockings from the market. However, at the start of the decade, tights were still not particularly durable; rips were prevalent, and a new economic area emerged around the repair business, which would not lose value until the 1960s.
Cool and Classic
By drawing on established ’50s styles, you may easily incorporate elements of the decade into your outfit while remaining charming and current.
This outfit combines the classic (and fashionable) twinset with a simple A-Line skirt to create a timeless silhouette. These hues symbolize the fall transition of season, while still providing easy layers for the remaining summer heat.
Finally, a simple pearl necklace and pair of shoes round off this look, evoking the charm of the decade in a contemporary manner.
