After the Second World War, there were some notable changes in the fashion world. The typical 1940s silhouette featured wide shoulder straps and short skirts, while the 1950s style featured dresses that defined an hourglass physique (i.e., the top was fitted, with small straps and a fitted waist, while the skirt was wide; also, the heels were higher). Although there has been a drastic evolution in fashion from the beginning to the end of the decade, there were still some basic trend pieces that were a constant throughout the era. If you feel like dressing up in the 1950s style, here are some tips to consider.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Discovering Women's Styles
Step 1. Look for a fitted blouse
Three-quarter sleeves were popular during this period. The straps hugged the body, were not puffy, and sleeveless blouses were popular anyway. Collars that are small and adjacent to the neckline, called Peter Pan collars, usually had a round shape.
Step 2. Look for very fitted jackets with more rounded shoulder pads
This type of garment ended at the hips to emphasize the slim waistline of women. Collars on jackets were often small and rounded, Peter Pan-style, just like those on blouses. In the 1950s, this garment in many cases featured decorative pockets of different types and large buttons.br>
Step 3. Choose the skirt
In the 1950s, different types of skirts were popular. Here are some of the more common styles:
- Fluffy skirts. This piece of clothing had more fabric and often featured layers formed by petticoats in order to be even more full-bodied. The fabric was sewn in a variety of ways, including wheel, pleated, pleated or sgheronato.
- Pencil skirts. They were narrow and straight. This garment was created to emphasize the slim feminine waistline, a very important factor in the 1950s.
- Swing style skirts. Flared skirts reached knee-length, and were nicknamed poodle skirt, literally, "poodle skirt" (but poodles weren't the only print on this piece of clothing: almost any animal, insect or flower could be depicted).
Step 4. Try on a long shirt to wear as a dress
This garment was very popular. The top was just like a shirt, and the waist was not defined. Often, it was paired with a tight belt.
Step 5. Remember that the style has evolved over the decade
Here is an excursus of the cuts of clothes in vogue after 1955:
- A-line dresses (narrow straps and wide hem) were very popular.
- Softer-fitting dresses were also popular around 1955.
- Baggy and soft sack dresses were quite trendy.
- At the time, for most skirts and dresses, the hem was in the knee area.
- The jackets took on a box shape and the Chanel look (to get an idea, take a look at the models of this house) was very much in vogue. This style featured contrasting hems on the jackets, no collars and small pockets with contrasting buttons.
Step 6. Get the right type of pants
In the 1950s, several female models were in vogue. Trouser legs tightened over the decade. It was a very popular piece of clothing, worn at home and in free time.
The most common cuts? The capri, which reached mid-calf, mid-leg trousers and Bermuda shorts, which reached the knees. They were paired with ballet flats, shoes halfway between sandals and ballet flats and simple sneakers (like the Keds). Socks were optional
Step 7. Put on a hat
Hats that clung to the head were popular in the early years of the decade, while in recent years more showy hats were used, higher on the head and much larger in size.
Step 8. Discover women's hairstyles
In the early 1950s, hair was worn short and straight. Consider Audrey Hepburn's style, which wore a short, smooth cut front, side and back.
Later, long, fluffy hair made its way, with a style very similar to that of Elizabeth Taylor. This hairstyle was often worn at shoulder height; on the front, big curls were created with curlers, and then the hair extended sideways with a pageboy cut with a wavy style
Step 9. Invest in shoes and gloves that recall that period
The clothes were matched with gloves of different colors. The long ones (above the elbow) were worn in the evening in combination with bracelets for a more formal look, while the short ones (at the wrist) were used during the day. Shoes were often pointed and with thin spool heels.
Step 10. Use a bag
In the 1950s, bags were small, and often envelope-shaped. The Kelly was a simple bag with a handle. Wicker and gold lamé were some of the most popular materials.
Most of the bags had short handles (no long shoulder straps)
Method 2 of 2: Discover Male Styles
Step 1. Put on a tailored men's suit
At the time, suits began to shrink, with thin, cigarette-shaped legs, and sack-shaped jackets (consider Brooks Brothers suits). Charcoal gray was a popular color for these garments. Remember that a white shirt was usually worn with a gray suit, with the addition of a simple, narrow tie.
Step 2. Throw the hat
Before the war, all men wore it. However, starting in the 1950s, hats lost a lot of popularity. Because? Because men drove more, and this accessory was annoying while in the car.
Step 3. Pay attention to the trends regarding shirts
For men, there were many fashion rules, and these rules dictated when to wear certain pieces and who should wear them.
Khaki shirts, with tartan print or elegant Oxford cloth, were worn by students. T-shirts were rarely used alone, as they were considered a piece of underwear. Hawaiian-style and short-sleeved shirts were used in the summer
Step 4. You also need to know which pants were in vogue
In this period, cigarette pants were thin and quite common among men. Jeans were generally worn for a day outdoors, but many teenagers wore them regularly. Bermuda shorts were often used in the summer.
Step 5. Look for the right shoes
In the 1950s, most men wore Oxford (often two colors), saddle shoes or chukkas. Saddle shoes were two-tone (usually black and white) and leather, with a flat heel; usually, they were white shoes with a black decorative band in the middle. Chukka shoes and leather ankle boots generally only had 2-3 pairs of lace holes.
Step 6. Discover men's hairstyles
Hair was usually short, post-military style. Men started wearing them longer at the end of the decade, but they were still combed to stay behind the ears.
Some also wore longer pompadour haircuts set with grease. Elvis Presley made this style famous in the 1950s
Advice
- Look for patterns. They are great for sewing clothes, and indicate all the accessories that were combined with an outfit. Even the hairstyles are shown.
- Use hairspray to create a voluminous style - your look will stand out even more.
- Do a search. Search online for period newspapers such as Vogue, Bazaar, Ladies' Home Journal and McCall's Magazine. Weeklies like Life and Look are equally good for finding fashion ideas, especially for men.
- If you are a woman, wear a corset that tightens at the waist or a torso for a wasp waist.
