Women's Fashion
INTRO: The women’s fashion of the 1950’s leaned toward a more glamorous look. Flowing or fitted skirts were all the rage, and many women achieved the classic "hourglass" figure to emphasize their waists using fitted undergarments to wear under their clothes.
DRESSES AND SKIRTS: The dresses that women wore had a round skirt that was often belted at the waist, and most of the dress lengths during this period were below the knee. Some dresses had short sleeves, a halter style tied at the back, or no sleeves with a collar. Skirts were either full or thin. The "A-line" skirt was thin at the waist, full at the end, and went down to the knees and ankles. The pencil skirt was a tight-fitting skirt that went down to the knees, and was typically worn in the workplace.. A popular skirt that was worn was the classic poodle skirt which was made of felt material and had a French poodle sewn to the front. When paired with a cashmere sweater with saddle shoes, poodle skirts were a favorite among teenage girls. Also, leather dresses and coats were very popular in the mid-to late 50s.
PANTS AND TOPS: In the 50s, women's pants were called "pedal pushers" or rolled up jeans. They were cropped at the bottom and were very similar to the capris that are worn today, and they were often worn by women when they were riding a bicycle. Tops had three different elements that women could wear: long sleeves, short sleeves, or puffed sleeves. Sweaters that were made of either wool or cashmere were "cardigan-style" , and sweaters were button-up or draped over the shoulders. Popular necklines were "U-shaped and round" as well as Peter Pan collars.
SHOES AND HATS: The Oxford shoe, or better known in the 50s as saddle shoes, were very popular with young girls. The shoe was mostly white, with a brown leather cover across the top that resembled a saddle. Another popular style was the typical ballet flat style that is still popular today, and could be worn with either dresses, skirts, or pants. Back then hats were popular with both men and women. Women wore "small pillbox hats, berets, hats with veils, and wide-brimmed hats", and they bought hats just as often as they would buy shoes.
SCARVES, GLOVES, AND JEWELRY: A women in the 1950s was never without her gloves, as they were a popular accessory. Long, elbow length gloves were worn for formal events, while short gloves were worn for casual attire. Scarves were used to tie up ponytails, worn as an ascot, or worn over a lady's head to protect from the wind.
DRESSES AND SKIRTS: The dresses that women wore had a round skirt that was often belted at the waist, and most of the dress lengths during this period were below the knee. Some dresses had short sleeves, a halter style tied at the back, or no sleeves with a collar. Skirts were either full or thin. The "A-line" skirt was thin at the waist, full at the end, and went down to the knees and ankles. The pencil skirt was a tight-fitting skirt that went down to the knees, and was typically worn in the workplace.. A popular skirt that was worn was the classic poodle skirt which was made of felt material and had a French poodle sewn to the front. When paired with a cashmere sweater with saddle shoes, poodle skirts were a favorite among teenage girls. Also, leather dresses and coats were very popular in the mid-to late 50s.
PANTS AND TOPS: In the 50s, women's pants were called "pedal pushers" or rolled up jeans. They were cropped at the bottom and were very similar to the capris that are worn today, and they were often worn by women when they were riding a bicycle. Tops had three different elements that women could wear: long sleeves, short sleeves, or puffed sleeves. Sweaters that were made of either wool or cashmere were "cardigan-style" , and sweaters were button-up or draped over the shoulders. Popular necklines were "U-shaped and round" as well as Peter Pan collars.
SHOES AND HATS: The Oxford shoe, or better known in the 50s as saddle shoes, were very popular with young girls. The shoe was mostly white, with a brown leather cover across the top that resembled a saddle. Another popular style was the typical ballet flat style that is still popular today, and could be worn with either dresses, skirts, or pants. Back then hats were popular with both men and women. Women wore "small pillbox hats, berets, hats with veils, and wide-brimmed hats", and they bought hats just as often as they would buy shoes.
SCARVES, GLOVES, AND JEWELRY: A women in the 1950s was never without her gloves, as they were a popular accessory. Long, elbow length gloves were worn for formal events, while short gloves were worn for casual attire. Scarves were used to tie up ponytails, worn as an ascot, or worn over a lady's head to protect from the wind.