The Ultimate Guide to 1950s Women's Fashion: Elegance, Rebellion, and the Birth of Casual Style

The 1950s was a transformative decade that forever changed the way the world looked at style. The 1950s brought a period of optimism, economic growth and overindulgence in clothes after the austere rationing of the 1940s World War II. When you examine the past and wonder “what did people wear in the 1950s?” The answer is an intriguing look at contrasts. It was an age of super-feminine fashion, the emergence of the "teenager" as a formidable consumer and the beginning of rock 'n' roll rebellious spirit.

From creating the ideal 1950 outfit to understanding the origins of contemporary American fashion, America 1950s fashion is a source of inspiration. We will go deep on the silhouettes, subcultures and iconic fifties style outfits, and how to incorporate them into your contemporary wardrobe. 

The New Look: What Did Women Wear in the 50's?

You have to go back to Christian Dior to learn what did the women wear in the 50's. In 1947 Dior launched this 'New Look' which set the trend for 1950’s fashion trends for women for the next decade. The silhouette featured a sharply drawn and cut waist, floppy shoulders and a billowing skirt that was many yards of fabric. This was a straightforward challenge to the rationing of the cloth that had been going on for the previous decade. 

1950s fashion trends women adopted were based around two different silhouettes:

• The Full Skirt (including novelty poodle and the iconic "poodle"): Was worn over several layers of stiff crinoline petticoats for day wear, dances and formals. It featured a dramatic hourglass form.

• The Pencil Skirt: Also called the "wiggle dress" or sheath dress, this style was in high demand as well with an artistic and sophisticated feel. It was very tight on the hips and hung just below the knee and was very swaying, so it needed a very different gait.

The idea of any formal 1950 costume was to be polished, no matter what type of skirt was worn. These matches had to be in the same set. Women frequently worn hats that were coordinated with their dress, gloves, shoes and purse, and it was expected that they would look put-together and flawless. 

Weekend and Drive-In Style: 50s Fashion Women Casual

The decade's pop-culture image of the housewife was one of a polished woman, but what did people wear in the 50's was beginning to change quickly to a more comfortable style. Modern casual wear came into existence in the 1950s.

So, what characterized the 50s fashion women casual? With the growing suburbanization and the leisure time available, women demanded garments that would allow them to enjoy weekend barbecues, cycling and unwind at home. This resulted in the wide-spread popularity of a type of pants that oddly enough became popular among women. High-waisted Capri pants, pedals (down to the knee) and cigarette pants were basic pieces of clothing.

The fifties were a time of change for the youth where the diners, drive-in movies, and bowling alleys had great influence on 50s American fashion. Tails and fitted halter tops, dark denim shorts, sleeveless button-downs tied around the waist, or cozy twinsets (a matching cardigan and sweater set) were all common casual 50s outfits for women's wear options. Popular prints of the time included gingham, polka and strong nautical stripes, all of which were indicative of a sense of optimism and fun. 

The Rebel Edge: Leather Jackets and Rockabilly Culture

The conventional 50s styles for women were about clean, elegant culture, but an underground culture was establishing, one that would carve its niche in the annals of fashion history. Rock 'n' roll emerged in the 1950s, ushering in a new rebellious, counter-cultural appearance that completely turned the squeaky-clean decade on its head.

That's where the leather jacket became the epitome of cool, from military and aviation apparel. The movie star phenomenon of the surrounding era, such as Marlon Brando and Rebel Without a Cause's James Dean, took over the greaser subculture. The one thing that wasn't a boys club was this. This rugged men's wear began to be worn by the "Bad Girls" of the 50s, who are usually credited to the rockabilly style.

A tough, heavy leather motorcycle jacket draped over a hyper-feminine, full skirts floral dress or worn with cigarette pants that were high-waisted and a bold red lip was one of the most striking 50's style outfits. The outfit was a statement of independence and edge.

It's not necessary to go through vintage thrift stores to find this rebellious 1950s style. Premium heritage items from ZOQ Leather can be relied upon. The Women's Black Cropped Biker Leather Jacket with Belt is the ultimate in these days. The cutaway silhouette is naturally accentuated by the high-waisted looks of the 50's, so it gives you the opportunity to pull the waist in and keep that 50's hourglass figure while also adding a cool and cool attitude. Or the Ravenna Black Genuine Leather Biker Motorcycle Jacket provides that rock ‘n' roll style you can only get from a leather biker jacket, which would look so splendid with a polka-dot dress or a dark denim capris.

Even the ZOQ Leather Men's Vintage Style Leather Jacket is a nod to the post-WWII era when women would occasionally borrow their returning husbands' or boyfriends' flight jackets to top some of their weekend casual outfits, embracing the oversized ‘boyfriend' fit that is popular today. 

Accessories and Footwear: Completing the 50's Look

Discussing the fashion of America 1950s fashion is not complete without talking about accessories. During the 1950s, there were not too many finishing touches to lack.

• Footwear: Stiletto heels were invented in the 1950s and feature a pointed, thin heel that creates the illusion of a longer leg. But for women in the 50s, comfort was the most important aspect of casual fashion. The 1950s teenager wore saddle shoes (oxford shoes that are meant to be two-toned) with white bobby socks as the uniform. Ballet flats were also a huge hit, especially with fashion icons such as Audrey Hepburn who wore them with slim cigarette pants.

• Eyewear: The cat-eye frame is synonymous to the 50s. The broad, sharply angled frames (sometimes with rhinestones around the corners) brought a catwalk flair to any look.

• Jewelry and Extras: Choker length pearl necklaces, matching studs for the earlobes and silk chiffon neck scarves around the throat were all considered essential items to look perfect in that 1950 attire. White short cotton gloves were also worn by any woman going outside the house to run errands or make calls. 

Bringing the 50s into Today: Modern 1950s Outfits

It may seem like a daunting task to wear 1950s outfits today without getting caught up in a costume party or playing Jelly Bean in Grease. Balance is the main thing to realize while creating fifties style outfits.

Don't go for head-to-toe vintage styling, but mix vintage lines with modern fabrics. Wear high-rise and wide-leg pants (late-'50s resort style) with a streamlined, modern body suit. Give an old '50s sweetheart-neckline dress a good "biker jackass" by pairing it with a ZOQ Leather biker jacket and contemporary ankle boots rather than old school pumps and pearls.

The ultra-fabulous, fitted silhouettes of 1950s fashion trends for women combined with the modern and sophisticated leather outerwear, is a combination that's as classy as it gets while honoring the legacy of the past. In the 1950s we learned the importance of silhouette and the excitement of rebellion; it's a lesson we'll never outgrow.