1950s Fashion for Women
Many consider poodle skirts and ponytails, jeans, and sleek hairstyles to be the quintessential 1950s women’s fashion. Teenagers were wearing these styles, but what were the rest of us wearing? The 1950s women’s fashion saw a new wave of fashion choices for both sexes. Although the individuals in your midcentury family photos wore a wide range of fashions, there were certain recurring motifs. See what you might see and why below.
The Tales of the 1950s Women’s Fashions:
A lot of war-torn nations were still reconstructing as the 1950s women’s fashion got underway. Many regions where there had been shortages of goods now had them available again. Returned soldiers had frequently tied the knot and begun families, while many had quit their jobs to become stay-at-home mothers and spouses. Certain nations, such as the US, promoted consumerism as a means of bolstering their economies.
Outside of Paris, France, long the West’s center of 1950s women’s fashion designers rose to prominence both during and after the war. The greater geographic diversity of designers in the 1950s women’s fashion meant a wider selection of styles. New synthetic textiles also presented new opportunities for apparel that could be mass-produced. Strong consumer spending increased the need for apparel and accessories to go with every fashion. Fashion publications and movie stars showcased new looks and demonstrated how to appropriately wear emerging fashion trends.
1950s Women’s Fashion:
Women’s Clothing
French fashion designer Christian Dior introduced his sophisticated, lavish “New Look” for ladies in 1947, and it was still in style in the 1950s women’s fashion. The dresses featured long skirts, pronounced hips, tight waistlines, and rounded shoulders. The New Look embraced an ideal of beautiful femininity and welcomed the end of wartime thrift. Numerous 1950s women’s fashions featured the design, ranging from casual shirtwaists and sundresses to ensembles with circle skirts draped in crinoline, coatdresses, and formal attire.
There were several well-liked female silhouettes besides Dior’s New Look. A woman’s torso was covered with pencil dresses from the bodice to the mid-calf hemline. For a similar style, pencil skirts might be worn with fitted shirts tucked in. The waist was relaxed or moved in other dress designs of the decade, like bell-shaped skirts, A-line dresses, and sack dresses.
Women welcomed these new designs throughout the Western world and beyond. In West Germany, the New Look was particularly well-liked. Pencil silhouettes and the New Look were two things Australian ladies adored. All of these Western styles may be seen in the costumes seen on film footage from a 1950s women’s fashion Japanese show.
1950s women’s fashion was influenced by Audrey Hepburn.
Women’s Casual Attire
Women’s pants and casual attire became more and more popular. American women’s fashion designers were particularly well-known for producing wearable, everyday items that could accommodate the varied needs of busy women, like playsuits, trousers, and designer sportswear. The casual yet stylish outfit gained popularity thanks to actress Audrey Hepburn, who wore dark, narrow slacks with basic boat-neck shirts and low pumps.
The Beatnik look significantly simplified a woman’s appearance. Beatnik’s looks were sharp and tailored, for both dresses and pants. Dark neutrals were the predominant color scheme, except for ethnic or bohemian accents.
Women’s Accessories and Shoes:
You may have closed-toe pumps, heels, flats, wedges, sandals, moccasins, and other styles in a range of plain or patterned hues.
Hats remained stylish, although devoid of function. Notable styles included recognizable pillboxes, veiled fascinators, caps, flat pancake hats, and summertime straw hats with wide brims.
1950s Women’s Fashion:
There was a noticeable shift in 1950s women’s fashion towards a more casual look, partly due to the American look. Many women dressed in roomy, conservatively colored suits with narrow ties at the beginning of the 1950s women’s fashion. Women’s clothing became increasingly casual, colorful, and textured as the decade went on. Men frequently wore colorful shirts with pants and lightweight sports coats for relaxation. Knee-length shorts and Hawaiian-style shirts quickly became summertime favorites.
Although there was less diversity in men’s shoes than in women’s, they were far more useful. A suit looked great with black or brown leather dress shoes, such as wingtip oxfords. Men may choose to wear saddle shoes or penny loafers for more relaxed occasions.
1950s Women’s Fashions of Youth and Teenage:
The 1950s women’s fashion saw a shift away from wearing like their parents to young men. The Teddy Boy look was inspired by vintage Savile Row in London, Teddy suits. The appearance was finished with straight stovepipe pants, velvet-collar coats, white shirts, brightly colored socks, suede creeper shoes, and meticulously styled hair. Hollywood icons Marlon Brando and James Dean made jeans, white shirts, leather jackets, and greased-back hair fashionable in the United States.
Teenage females frequently opted for more childlike versions of their mothers’ fashion sense. A pencil skirt or a circle skirt was typically worn with a fitted shirt with a Peter Pan collar tucked into a broad, elastic cinch belt. Other embellishments were at least as popular as the now-iconic “poodle skirt,” which was just a full circular skirt with a poodle decoration. Cardigans and other fitted sweaters were occasionally worn on their own or over blouses. Saddle shoes, white bobby socks, and neck-knotted scarves may have completed the ensemble for teenage girls.
1950s Women’s Fashion in Family Pictures
Examine the 1950s women’s fashion family photos you have and discover the fashions your ancestors liked. To ensure that others can enjoy these pictures as well, think about posting them on Family Search Memories and adding the hashtag “1950s women’s fashion” to the image!
Due in large part to their husbands’ success in the corporate sector, most women in the 1950s women’s adopted the ideal of the housewife and mother, relegating them to traditional duties. Popular periodicals promoted the idea that people should constantly look great, even when cleaning the house. Given how much time was spent on household chores, the housedress held great significance. Three hours a day were dedicated to housework, and one hour was spent preparing dinner for the family. Her new role was highlighted by the decade’s ultra-feminine clothing.
Textiles and technology advanced during the postwar period. The first wash-and-wear textiles emerged in the early 1950s in women’s fashion. In addition to saving laundry time, the new “wrinkle-free” and “drip-dry” clothing was ideal for travel, which has increased dramatically this decade. The prosperity of the time led to the mainstreaming of resort clothing and leisurewear. In a decade when mass production made trends accessible to the majority of people, there was a wide range of styles and dress categories. This decade saw the rise of American fashion designers, who made New York the hub of the fashion world. Hollywood designers had a big impact on fashion as well. In contrast to the more formal vibe of the French and British, the American outfit was more relaxed. This fresh look disapproved of the WWII rationing’s practical vibe. It harked back to the romanticism of the past, showcasing feminine curves, soft edges, and a flair that made fashion seem more carefree and glamorous than it was. With a large bust, big hips, and a nipped-in waist, the “New Look” silhouette demanded intense shaping from undergarments.
The 1950s women’s fashion was a transformative decade. The harsh designs of the 1930s and 1940s were starting to fade from fashion, and 1950s women’s fashion was becoming more carefree and informal rather than intricate. There were more hues, patterns, and designs worn by women. Women experimented with various appearances and styles during the 1950s women’s fashion clothing era, which is why we have so many fashion trends from this time period. Not only was fashion more laid back than it had been previously, but American culture was also evolving. After World War II, rationing was lifted, allowing individuals to purchase more goods. This covered houses, vehicles, and other modern-day amenities. The 1950s saw a significant shift in women’s fashion as they began to experiment with different looks.
The 1950s women’s fashion saw the introduction of figure-flattering full A-line skirts, glove-fitting pencil skirts, and matching peplum jackets that were precisely made, crisp, and structured. Choosing blazers with girdles or corsetry and a flare out over the hips is the quickest approach to achieve a trendy 1950s women’s fashion style. To get a nipped waist and an hourglass appearance, pair it with a preppy-style tight-fitting skirt. Another essential item of apparel for women in this decade was the jacket, which needed to be long enough to allow them to sit down without their knees contacting their stomachs. However, it should not be so long that it would drag on the ground as they left their automobile! Even in the 1950s, women’s fashion leather jackets were an essential part of any wardrobe.
