How to Get the '50s look

Capture the '50s retro look.

Whether you're going to a costume party or bringing back the retro look, there are a few trends from the '50s you can use today to pull together your outfit. The 1950s was a decade of conservatism, energy, and abundance coming out of World War II. Women wore skirts and dresses and men wore suits and ties. Jeans and trousers for women were seen, but only in very casual circumstances. French designers Dior, Givenchy and Chanel all held sway over the trends and fashions of the era, painstakingly copied by American department stores.

Things You'll Need

• References (i.e. a fashion magazine)

Instructions

1. Wear dresses that are reminiscent of Dior's "New Look." This is defined as dresses that are pulled in and fitted at the waist with full skirts, often supported by a crinoline petticoat. The shoulders of the dresses were soft or nonexistent. This look was used in daily wear dresses in simple fabrics such as cotton, and in evening wear featuring lush fabrics such as silk and satin.

2. Pair a twin-set cardigan and shirt with a full skirt or an A-line skirt. Use a cardigan to slip over a dress and wear as a coverup for bare shoulders.

3. Keep skirts modest. Full skirts, A-line skirts, pencil skirts and skirts with a wide front panel below the knee are all the appropriate length for capturing the '50s look.

4. Balance in a pair of heels. Women wore heels every day and they are the perfect pairing to the skirt and dress look.

5. Wear a classic poodle skirt. The poodle skirt is an icon of the '50s. Pair the poodle skirt with a white button-up shirt with short sleeves, a pair of saddle shoes and a ponytail to pull off the trendy '50s teenager.

6. Use a neutral shadow on your eyelids. You can pop your eyes with a black liner across the top lash, but keep it sophisticated.

7. Stroke a few coats of mascara on your upper and lower lashes. Keep the makeup as simple as possible while adding a little drama.

8. Apply a red shade of lipstick and a light blush. Red lips are best paired with a light eye makeup.

9. Add some accessories. Women wore earrings, many of them clip-on. Large, round earrings in enamel and pearl work well for the look. Tying a small scarf around your neck is another way to accessorize the style.

10. Fix your hair. Ponytails were popular for the emerging teenage crowd. Women wore their hair neat, pulled into French twists, back-combed with flips at the end, and hair was done with curlers.

11. Find a hat. Hats in this era were smaller. Pillbox hats were popular, as were berets and hats with small veils.

12. Finish an evening look with long gloves or a domesticated woman's look with a regular pair of gloves.

Tips & Warnings

• Try watching Grease for some ideas

• Add plenty of details and colours

• Do not wear high heels or clothes that are not modest

References

• Lonestar College: American Cultural History 1950 - 1959
• Louisians State Museum: Elegance After Dark
• Retrowow: 50s Fashion
• Fifties Web: Fifties Skirts