When you think about 1950s fashion, a few stereotypes may immediately spring to mind. Maybe you think of poodle skirts and saddle shoes, or the ever infamous bullet bra, or even the stereotypical ’50s housewife, cleaning the house in her heels and pearls. 

Unlike with the ’90s, which are having a distinct comeback at the moment, it may be difficult to see how ’50s styles can fit into your everyday style. But ’50s fashion has actually bypassed being a fad, as elements of it are so classic that they’ve become commonplace.  

As usual, we’ll start below with some background on ’50s fashion. Then we’ll get to the fun stuff and show how you can make ’50s fashion work for you.

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1950s Fashion Overview

The ’50s bridged the gap between the reserved and conservative styles of the late ’40s and the fun and quirky looks that would define 1960s fashion. Hemlines grew shorter, waistlines wandered up and down, before disappearing completely, and the West seemed obsessed with making up for wartime limitations with excessive glamour and consumerism. 

After wearing very masculine clothing during the Second World War, women opted for exaggerated, stereotypical displays of femininity in the 1950s. The starlets of the time were known for their hourglass figures (think Marilyn Monroe) and many women regularly wore girdles to nip in their waists and bellies.

Much of the fashion in the 1950s was about structure and rules. Women wore shoes that matched their handbags and earrings that matched their necklaces. Their clothing was also literally structured – you didn’t see many maxi dresses or slouchy cardigans back then!