About 50s Costume for Women

The 1950s were an era of drive in movie theaters, dances, diners and rock and roll music. The style of clothing that was popular in the 1950s was inspired a great deal by all of these things. Simple and modest, most women's attire in the '50s was created for her to appear feminine, yet fully covered at the same time. While there were some variations on the traditional look of the attire, it was mainly conservative, yet stylish, with pinks, whites and blacks being the most popular color choices.

History

A great deal of 1950s women's clothing attire stemmed from the bland, simple styles of the late 1940s war era, which was more traditional and conservative, with longer pencil skirts matched with light colored blouses. The introduction of rock and roll music and teenagers becoming more active socially than in years past, brought about modest revisions of the original 1940s attire. Young women were looking for more active, exciting, stylish options as well as still keeping their looks reformed and plain to please parents and adults. Older women remained conservative, with loose fitting house dresses and colorful Capris that they could wear both inside and outside of the home, feeling more comfortable than in the clothing popular a decade prior.

Identification

One way to identify 1950s clothing attire is by the longer styled skirts. These skirts were typically made from wool or heavier fabrics and were worn throughout the year even in the summer months. For younger women, poodle skirts were a popular choice. The poodle skirt was usually design-free except for an embroidered poodle on the lower corner. Plain dresses or dresses with floral accents were just below the knee in length and highlighted with a mid-drift belt. Tight fitting pants with heels and short jackets were considered risqué dress, but were popularized with teenage girls and younger woman. Bobby socks and saddle shoes were a popular footwear item among young woman and were a fashion staple for most outfits.

Significance

With 1950s clothing styles, a woman could show signs of femininity and independence, unlike the more buttoned-up outfits of the 1940s era. Women were looking for ways to feel better about themselves and enhance their femininity. With the introduction of rock and roll, many women found that '50s attire allowed them to show off a more fun loving side of their personalities, bringing about more of the nostalgic clothing items such as the poodle skirt. Most '50s clothing served as both conservative enough for church and social functions, as well as versatile enough to be carried over to dances and cocktail parties without changing much of the overall look.

Features

Crinolines or hooped petticoats gave longer skirts an added look of fullness. These petticoats were often made of mesh and boning to provide a look that most women sought. For housewives and older women who chose to wear the more form fitting pencil skirt, a corset was often worn to create a slimming effect. Prom dresses and formals for younger women gave them a chance to dress up like a princess and show off more of the upper body with strapless styles. Scarves were a mainstay in 1950s fashion and were often worn with blouses to accentuate a look. Cats eye glasses were another highly sought after accessory.

Types

There were three basic types of women's costume in the '50s: conservative, playful and risque. The conservative look consisted of pencil skirts and neatly ironed blouses made from cotton or silk and heels, and dresses accented by belts or gatherings at the waist. These outfits were worn by housewives and older women when they ventured into town for social gatherings, or other outside events. The playful look involved the poodle skirt, saddle shoes and short sleeved shirts, often highlighted by scarves and ribbons in the hair. Many teenage girls wore the letterman jackets of their boyfriends--a symbolized fashion accessory for girls who dated boys involved in sports. This look was popular among teenage girls and young adult females for both school and after school social events. The risqué look would have been form fitting Capri's, heels and tight fitting shirts with short jackets, a look popular among young female adults, not teenagers or older housewives.