Saturday, July 5, 2025

POSTWAR ELEGANCE: FASHION TRENDS OF THE 1950s, By Ellen Butler

 


The 1950s was a decade marked by optimism, prosperity, and a return to traditional values in many parts of the Western world, particularly the United States. After the hardships of World War II, people were eager to embrace stability, comfort, and a sense of normalcy.  It was the reason I chose to place my historical mystery, Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn, in the year 1958. This cultural shift was clearly reflected in the fashions of the era—which remains iconic to this day.

 

Fashions of the 1950s

Since my character, Ariadne Winter, is employed at a women’s fashion magazine, I dedicated time to researching the fabrics, textures, and styles of the 1950s. Though she dreams of becoming a hard-hitting investigative journalist, her upper-middle-class New York upbringing and journalism degree make her a natural fit for Ladies’ Lifestyle Magazine—a tribute to iconic publications of the era like Ladies’ Home Journal and Look. Despite her ambitions, Ariadne never loses her sense of style. When it comes to fashion, Miss Winter is always impeccably dressed and effortlessly on point.

The fashion of the 1950s was elegant, structured, and deeply influenced by a desire to appear polished and put-together. Women’s clothing embraced femininity with cinched waists, full skirts, and soft pastel colors. One of the most influential designers of the decade was Christian Dior, whose 1947 “New Look”—featuring narrow waists and voluminous skirts—set the tone for much of the decade. Dresses often included petticoats to enhance fullness, hats and pearls were standard accessories for a polished look.

Teenagers were beginning to carve out their own identity through fashion. Girls wore poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and tight sweaters, while boys sported denim jeans, leather jackets, and slicked-back hair—a look inspired by Hollywood stars like James Dean and Marlon Brando. This emerging youth culture stood in stark contrast to the more conservative styles of previous generations. The rebellious image of Hollywood icons often influenced how teenagers spoke and behaved, leading to tension within families rooted in traditional values—a recurring pattern seen throughout history as each new generation navigates adolescence and seeks its own identity.

Men's fashion in the 1950s favored clean lines and a more conservative approach. Businessmen wore grey flannel suits with narrow ties, while casualwear might include a cardigan or a bowling shirt. The growing influence of television and cinema helped spread these styles quickly across the country.

The 1950s reflected a unique combination of traditional values and modern styles. Whether it was a woman stepping out in a circle skirt, or a teenage boy wearing jeans and slicked hair, these elements helped define the decade’s identity and left a lasting impression on American culture.

POSTWAR ELEGANCE: FASHION TRENDS OF THE 1950s, By Ellen Butler

  The 1950s was a decade marked by optimism, prosperity, and a return to traditional values in many parts of the Western world, particularly...