50s fashion trends that ruled the decade
Celebrities rocking Old Hollywood-inspired red carpet looks that we fawn over today owe an exceptional amount to the girls who came before. The 1950s was a decade full of glamour and promise, with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe serving as the period's most enchanting It-girls.
MORE: The 20 most iconic style quotes of all time
READ: 1920s fashion trends we still adore in 2023
What was 1950s fashion like?
In comparison to contemporary style, the 1950s had an air of formality. In response to the end of World War II, designers embraced newfound larger fabric quantities and carved out a new silhouette. Christian Dior was at the helm of this movement, and the result was flouncy, wide-circle skirts with narrow, nipped-in waists.
In London, the Teddy Boy look emerged for teenagers and young adults, intrinsically linked to the subculture. Vilified by the papers, these rock 'n' roll obsessives had a reputation for hooliganism and bad behaviour. The look consisted of drape jackets, richly reminiscent of 1940s American zoot suits, styled alongside drainpipe trousers with exposed socks and slick quiffs.
Wanting to infuse your current wardrobe with a splash of vintage elegance? Keep scrolling…
How we chose the pieces
After considering which 1950s fashion trends have stood the test of time, we scoured the internet's top fashion sites, taking into account style, price point and quality, to help you get the look in 2023.
Hello! Fashion shares the 1950s fashion trends that ruled the decade:
Wide skirts
The trend
Celebrating the end of wartime fabric shortages, Christian Dior orchestrated a bold new silhouette with his now-iconic 'New Look'. An indulgent wide-shape skirt enchanted women across the globe, and revolutionised traditional approaches towards feminine silhouettes. While the style is less commonplace today, it is still often used in celebrity red carpet looks to serve a certain retro glamour.
MORE: The fashion trends from the 1960s that we still adore today
Style advice
Crafted from camel gabardine, this piece pays homage to Dior's rich heritage with its elegant flared cut. But a two-tier composition allows it a certain contemporary cool, lending itself to the current boho revival. The weight of the fabric, in tandem with gathered detailing, gives structure, and the skirt would work well alongside a fitted square-neck top and a thick, equestrian-inspired belt to emphasise a cinched-in silhouette.
Cat-eye sunglasses
The trend
Sultry, feline-shaped shades first took off in the 1950s, and were often styled alongside elegant headscarves. Cat-eye sunglasses further skyrocketed in popularity the following decade thanks to OG cat-eye trendsetter Holly Golightly, aka Audrey Hepburn.
Style advice
Upturned, cat-eye styles suit most face shapes, but work especially well on longer faces since they add width. These glossy acetate frames by Mango are created from recycled post-industrial waste and would work excellently alongside a cream wide-brimmed sun hat and a cheery out-of-office attitude.
Silk scarves
The trend
Ah, the perennially chic silk scarf. Believe it or not, they're actually pretty difficult to pull off without veering into air hostess territory, and yet, somehow the 1950s starlets got it right every time. Your accessory arsenal is incomplete without one.
READ: 1970s fashion trends that are having a major revival this season
RELATED: 80s fashion for women: 6 incredible style moments we still love today
Style advice
Known for its superlative print designers, Liberty make the most exquisite silk scarves. Fusing retro flair with contemporary playfulness, this square peacock piece has a joyful eclecticism. Infinitely versatile, this scarf could adorn a printed top-handle bag, be wrapped around the hair like a bandana or be tied around the neck à la our vintage style icons.
High-waisted bikinis
The trend
The modern bikini was born in 1946, and yet, the two-piece swimsuit flourished the following decade when glamour shots of popular actresses and models brought the style into the mainstream. After years of lying dormant, the swimwear style has come roaring back into fashion consciousness in the last decade with the likes of Arabella London, Dolce & Gabbana and Hunza G all championing chic high-waisted designs.
Style advice
Swimwear specialist Hunza G excels in poolside glam, and this bandeau bikini is currently sitting at the top of our holiday wish list. Created from the label's signature seersucker, the crinkled effect is extremely forgiving, the high-waisted cut flattering, and the rich, ruby shade has a certain classic charm.
Pencil skirts
The trend
The pencil skirt came to define 1950s workwear, with revered designer Christian Dior creating his own version in his 1954 autumn/winter collection. Paired with fitted jackets or cropped cardigans, the style oozed unfussy sophistication.
Style advice
Thinking of rocking a pencil skirt in 2023? For an easy-breezy holiday moment, Zara's tie-dye effect version feels current and interesting, plus the high street stalwart even offers a chic one-shoulder top in a matching colourway so you can wear them as a co-ord.
Gingham
The trend
Gingham has been about practically forever, but there was something about 1950s cuts that made the summery, playful pattern really sing. Wanting to incorporate a spot of gingham into your wardrobe today? Look no further than Molly Goddard, Rouje and Shrimps.
Style advice
Affordable designer label Rouje excels in chic, enduring silhouettes that, crucially, aren't bound to monotonous neutral colour palettes, unlike some of its more expensive counterparts. Rouje's Oriana dress, created from navy gingham cloqué, would look amazing styled with of-the-moment mules and a bold scarlet lip.
Hourglass silhouettes
The trend
Defined by bust and hip measurements nearly equal in width, the hourglass shape was all the rage back then, often achieved via cinching belts that have the effect of a nipped-in waist. Our modern day hourglass icon? Kim Kardashian with a capital 'K'.
Style advice
High street belts can often look cheap and unappealing, but this thick black version by & Other Stories poses an unexpectedly stylish counterargument. Crafted from chrome-free leather and featuring gold chrome detailing, it would look great layered over a printed peasant dress to add structure.
Halter necklines
The trend
Still relevant in the popular Y2K crop styles of today, halter necklines were huge back then, within the context of swimwear as well as elegant evening dresses.
Style advice
Does your holiday eveningwear need an upgrade? Consider Cos' pistachio hued halter top, crafted from a liquid-like Ecovero viscose blend. Team with white tailored trousers and minimalist metallic sandals for maximum impact.
Gloves
The trend
Gloves were strongly linked to etiquette, and upper class women wore them pretty much whenever they left the house. Shorter styles were appropriate for daywear, whereas longer, opera styles were deemed suitably glamorous for an evening affair.
Style advice
Check out Belgian label Dries van Noten for high drama opera gloves, but The Row's short crochet pair have caught our eye for a more relaxed, summery feel. Featuring ruffled cuffs and saccharine scalloped edging, these gloves are guaranteed to spark passionate conversations among accessory aficionados.
Cuffed jeans
The trend
Originally designed for functional purposes, jeans had a moment in the 1950s, during which they crossed over into everyday wear. Hollywood heartthrobs Marlon Brando and James Dean popularised the turned-up look and teenagers followed suit, embracing cuffed jeans into their wardrobes.
Style advice
Boden's cuffed jeans look far more expensive than they actually are on account of the dark denim fabric and attention to detail in the topstitching finish. Team yours with a simple plain white tee and platform sneakers for a sense of casual cool.
Cropped trousers
The trend
While dresses and skirts still dominated, ankle-grazing cigarette trousers and shorter capri styles trickled down to the masses via screen stars.
Style advice
Cropped trousers are actually quite a tricky trend to nail. Your best bet is to try on heaps of different styles until you find 'the one'. Graphic prints such as 'S Max Mara's Efeso design add interest, and this particular pair would look super flattering alongside minimalist mules to elongate the line of the leg if you have shorter calves.
Like this story? Sign up to our Hello! Fashion newsletter to get your weekly 'Fashion Fix' delivered straight to your inbox.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbHLpaammZeWx6q6xGeaqKVfnbOue5FpaWtpYGeEcoGUbWduZ2VlwG6ywKyfoqeeYsGzsc2dqmg%3D