1950s

1950

Fashion in the 1950s varied greatly from the beginning to end. Maybe not quite as extreme as the 60s, 1950s fashion saw the introduction of many new styles as well as many styles that paid homage to the 1920s.

The waistline was a major issue in the 1950s. Some women really like the snug fit of the Dior dresses while others liked the dresses with no waistline, often referred to as “sack dresses.” 

The important thing is that people were beginning to feel a little more freedom when it came to their fashion choices. No longer did people feel like they had to conform to a certain look for certain situations.

Life magazine cover featuring Dior

Dior dress with prominent waistline

In 1951 the fashion world seemed unsettled on exactly where the waistline should be. Many designers, especially Dior, employed various techniques that brought the waistline higher. A higher waistline gave the dress a longer look, when in fact most hemlines had only dropped about an inch. 

Balenciaga with no waistline

Other popular styles in 1951 include:

- tailored tweed dresses
- fur trimmings (Persian lamb, ocelot and civet cat)
- Short décolleté dresses with cover-up jacket or bolero
- ankle-length dinner dresses
- overcoats made of shaggy material
- wide brimmed, shallow crowned hats
- small daytime hats adorned with jewels
- brooches
- inch-high Cuban heels

At the end of 1950s many designers created new silhouettes by folding large pieces of fabric around the body. Necklines took on sweeping angles, creating a dramatic geometric balance around the shoulders and throat. 'The Garbo look' was briefly expressed by the use of blonde fabrics, long-haired furs, loose-sashed jackets, polo coats and deep swagger hats.

Sack dresses

The chemise and sack dresses which took over 1958 did not die out completely in 1959, but it was certainly on its way out.

By the end of 1959 the wide leather belt had returned to fashion. Around the same time Dior reintroduced the hobble-skirt.

Chanel was still wildly popular. Her casual, open, hip-length blazer jackets were imitated by almost everyone. 1959 witnessed the fall of the short jacket on suits as women preferred longer, slimmer jackets.

Fabric and trimming provided a sense of luxury. Furs such as mink, sable, leopard, fox, chipmunk and even tiger and sebra were sold worldwide. If the evening dress were not made of metallic brocade, velvet or satin, then it was certainly covered in sequins.

High hats, worn straight or far back on the head, covered most of the wearer’s hair. Shoes changed from pointed toe and high spike heel to rounded toes and moderate heels in 1959.