1950 Fashion for Women

1950 Fashion for Women: the Appeal

The classic 1950s look of the hourglass shape is sensual and also more realistic than later fashions that demanded a woman be stick-thin to look stylish. And you didn’t have to spend time at the gym to get your waist slim enough to wear a 1950s dress – you had foundation garments to take care of any little bulges. These may not have been terribly comfortable, but once you got used to them, they were just part of your daily wardrobe. "Comfort" was very rarely the point for a fashionable woman anyway.

At the time, the "New Look" (which actually began in 1947) was a radical departure for women who had been used to rationing during the war. Whether a woman worked in a factory or an office, clothes had to be simple and practical. No one could fuss over their appearance too much when there was a war to be won. Afterwards, however, women began to want prettier clothes again, and such clothes were soon available. Dresses with flowing skirts in bright, colorful fabrics, quickly replaced the utilitarian look of wartime clothes. While some women derided the New Look as fussy, impractical and uncomfortable – forcing women back into a decorative role, after they had proven their strength and abilities – other women embraced the opportunity to dress prettily in a way they hadn’t in years.

Basics in 1950s Women's Fashions

The 1950s look available in costume shops is for girls, not women. Girls wore poodle skirts, bobby sox, saddle shoes and ponytails. Women might wear sweater sets or blouses and skirts, but for most social events, they wore dresses. Dress styles of the 1950s fell into two categories. There was the dress that was fitted through the waist and then fell into a wide skirt, sometimes a full circle skirt, from just above the hip. A crinoline was often worn underneath to give even more shape to the skirt.

The other sort of dress featured what was called a pencil skirt and was much more form-fitting – it demanded a firm girdle to look right. It skimmed the body to the knees and even the slit at the back didn’t allow a long stride, so women wiggled when they walked, in a way that a lot of men found quite alluring.

1950s Work Wear

Women had been wearing suits as daywear or work wear for several decades, and the 1950s was no exception. The changes in 1950s fashion for women extended to their suits as well, with jackets that nipped the waist and skirts that were either full, or, more commonly, fitted. Sleeves tended to be shorter, the better to show off bracelets and gloves, and colors were simple. A bright patterned dress was for dates; at work, a more monochromatic look was expected -- although a woman could still wear colorful jewelry.

Evening Wear

Evening gowns were still very much gowns in the 1950s, whether they were designer or homemade. They were usually full and often swept the floor. Fabrics like organdy, chiffon and tulle were very popular. A high-style gown might be more intricately designed, with a plunging back and a snug, fishtail fit. Bows, flowers or other accessories were often featured. To keep warm, a woman typically wore a stole in either fur or fabric over her shoulders. Some elaborate designer gowns came with a stole as part of the ensemble.

1950s Forever

Between vintage patterns, vintage shops and reproductions, anyone can dress in 1950s style all the time. Unlike the 1950s, you can have items tailored to fit comfortably, rather than squeeze into girdles. Unless, of course, you want to!