1950s Fashion for Women
Featuring tight bodices and flowing or fitted skirts, high heels and sexy undergarments, 1950s fashion for women still has an appeal as well as a mystique. Current designs hearken back to the era, and vintage or vintage reproduction styles have been in vogue for years.
Brief History of 1950s Women's Fashions
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. You didn't have to spend time at the gym to get your waist slim enough to wear a 1950s dress because you had foundation garments to take care of any little bulges. These may not have been terribly comfortable, but once women got used to them, they were just part of their daily wardrobe.
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. Afterward, 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.
A woman may have worn a simple shift or smock to do housework, but when she dressed to run errands or make the school run, she made sure she was properly dressed. Stepping outside of the door often required a hat, gloves and a smart handbag to accessorize her ladylike outfit.
While some women derided the New Look as one that was fussy, impractical and uncomfortable as well as 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. However, pant suits were not acceptable for the well-dressed lady heading out in the 50s.
Mid-Decade Changes
Around 1955, fashion gradually shifted once again. Instead of the full-hipped skirts so popular during the first half of the decade, silhouettes became slimmer. Sheath dresses became more common and were often topped with a cropped bolero jacket. The hourglass figure gave way to a more columnar shape. Instead of the plaid and polka dots so popular in the early 50s, late-50s styles featured more monochrome fabrics.
Dress Styles
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 a pencil skirt and was much more form-fitting, demanding 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; accordingly, sometimes this style of dress is referred as a wiggle dress.
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.
Outerwear
There were typically two common coat styles for women in the 1950s. The swagger style was wide and roomy with no designated waist. This coat fit well over full skirts and was also perfect for hiding pregnant bellies. It typically ranged in length from hip-length to past the knees.
A more streamlined belted style similar to a trench coat often fell past knee-length and could be worn over slim suits and skirts. Wide collars and fur lining were often featured.
Evening Wear
Evening gowns were still very much gowns in the 1950s whether they were designer or homemade. While they were usually full and often swept the floor, those with shorter lengths sported full skirts. A high-style gown might be more intricately designed with a plunging back and a snug, fishtail fit, while tea-length dresses might feature several tiers of fabric billowing out into a wide, hoop shape. Floor-length gowns, however, were more fitted. They often featured a slim bodice, with or without draping or shirring, and long skirts that fit closely to the body or were only slightly flared.
Fabrics like organdy, chiffon, silk and tulle were very popular and 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.
Shopping for 1950s Fashions
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.
You can find vintage and reproduction 50s fashions for women in many vintage clothing boutiques, such as:
- Bettie Page Clothing: In addition to an awesome selection of 50s retro styled dresses, Bettie Page Clothing features hard-to-find separates like circle skirts, sailor shorts, or even playsuits. If you need a crinoline to give the skirt of a favorite retro garment some extra fullness, they can help you with that purchase as well. Just for fun, be sure to browse their Famous Friends image gallery; you may be surprised to find that celebrities such as Ice-T or Barbara Eden are their fans.
- Vintage Swank: If you are searching for vintage clothing in wearable condition from the 1950s, Vintage Swank might have just what you are looking for. They pride themselves in their large selection of gently used vintage garments and offer fashions from many top designers such as Christian Dior or Gucci. Because these are pre-owned items, quantities are limited so if you see an item you like, you might want to buy it rather than wait. Each item features a brief description, the garment measurements in inches, and a rating of its condition.
- Red Dress Shoppe: The thing you will like best about the Red Dress Shoppe is the nice selection of exclusive styles like the Airliner dress (think flight attendant uniform) or Brigitte Dress that evoke the look and feel of the 50s perfectly. While there are a few disadvantages to shopping here, it is nice to see that the site owner is the one who highlights those potential negatives to her clients and prospects. According to her, the sizes do run small on many of the garments, and at this time, she is unable to offer any plus size garments. On a plus note, the return policy seems fair and looks to be fairly hassle-free.
Turning Back the Clock
While you can't really go back in time to have a first-hand look at these vintage fashions, you can get as close to that experience as possible by investing in a few of these garments and experiencing how they flatter the figure and make you feel great. Due to the high quality of tailoring and good materials, vintage lovers can find many 50s clothes in good condition today. Looking back on how much fashion has changed from one decade to another is a great way for the modern woman to see just how far style has come.
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