The fashion of the 1950s: History, trends, and icons

Throughout history, fashion has been a very relevant aspect for society. In this article, we are going to talk about a decade that undoubtedly marked a before and after in this sector, the 50s, which defined the world of the runway and the great designers.

From this period, fashion experienced a great change for both women and men, becoming more versatile in style, colors, and later setting the guidelines that have defined it until today. The 1950 clothing represented a revolution that forever transformed our way of understanding elegance and glamour.

From wartime austerity to the glamour of the 50s

To truly understand fashion of the 50s, it is essential to know the context that preceded it. During the Second World War, clothing had been marked by austerity and functionality. Material restrictions forced designers and women to be creative with limited resources, prioritizing practicality over ornamentation.

However, after the first years of the postwar, society returned to everyday life with an insatiable thirst for beauty and luxury. People left behind years of suffering and deprivation, and in the case of women, they felt beautiful and seductive again. This part of history is considered the rebirth of fashion and beauty.

The 50s wardrobe emerged as a direct reaction to the forced sobriety of the previous decade. Economic recovery allowed families to invest again in elegant clothing, and designers responded with creations that exuberantly celebrated femininity.

The revolutionary "New Look" and the great designers

The 50s can be considered the beginning of the modern fashion design era, where the new trends that emerge reflect a confident and elegant woman. A decade that began as early as 1947 with the presentation of revolutionary designs that aimed to restore to the women of that time the glamour and beauty that the war years had forbidden them.

The famous "New Look" completely revolutionized the female silhouette. While 40s fashion had adopted masculine lines with marked shoulders and narrow hips, Parisian designers proposed the exact opposite: soft shoulders, extremely cinched waists, and voluminous skirts that created the famous "hourglass" silhouette. This new way of dressing required yards and yards of fabric, a luxury symbolizing the end of scarcity.

By the early 50s, French designs covered a large part of European fashion exports. The great Parisian couturiers helped define the elegance of 1950 clothing, each contributing their particular vision of renewed femininity.

Suits to highlight the silhouette, heels to mark elegance, hairstyles, makeup, and accessories that matched the outfit of the moment imposed class and distinction of good taste, becoming the hallmarks of this successful transformation of the 50s wardrobe.

Characteristics and trends of 50s fashion

Women's fashion of the 50s

For women, dresses were the look of the moment. 1950s women's fashion was characterized by offering two main silhouettes: they could choose between wearing a dress with a body-hugging style (known as "pencil") or wearing one fitted at the back with a flared skirt; both styles dramatically highlighting the waist.

Short dresses or skirts were synonymous with disrespect, as were swimsuits, so the length of these garments was below the knees. This length became a defining characteristic of 1950 clothing, establishing a standard of elegance that lasted throughout the decade.

By the mid-50s, the use of women's pants could be seen in two styles: one capri cut (very common today) and another long, fitted at the waist with wide legs. These pants represented a small revolution within the 50s wardrobe, offering women more options without sacrificing femininity.

Materials also played a crucial role in 1950s women's fashion. Tulle, silk, satin, and high-quality cottons allowed the creation of those voluminous silhouettes so characteristic. Pastel colors like pink, sky blue, and soft yellow dominated wardrobes, although prints such as polka dots, stripes, and delicate floral motifs also became popular.

Regarding footwear trends, high-heeled shoes were the absolute protagonists of elegance. The tall and slender heels, which appeared towards the end of the decade, became the perfect complement to the slender silhouette that defined 1950 clothing.

Men's fashion of the 50s

For men, the James Dean style prevailed, a young actor of that era who deeply influenced men's fashion. Jeans predominated with tight white or black shirts and black leather jackets in a "rocker" style, creating an interesting contrast with traditional formality.

However, the quintessential garments for gentlemen of that time were formal suits with wide pants in solid colors, stripes, or checks, vests, white cotton shirts, ties, and pocket squares (placed in the upper jacket pocket). This 50s men's wardrobe reflected both economic prosperity and a return to traditional values.

It was also common to use suspenders, gloves, hats, or berets as male accessories. The university style gained popularity among young people, characterized by chinos, oxford shirts, and blazers, establishing a dress code that would influence future generations.

Makeup of the 50s

Women's makeup of the 50s was characterized by pastel-toned eyeshadows, with black feline-style eyeliner. This "cat eye" became one of the most recognizable features of the era, visually elongating the eyes and creating a seductive and sophisticated look.

Well-defined eyebrows, use of false eyelashes, and red lips, a tone present in modern women's makeup, completed the look. The red lipstick was not just a cosmetic but a symbol of femininity and elegance that perfectly complemented 1950 clothing.

Hairstyles of the 50s

Women also stood out with the hairstyles of the decade. Curls were one of the most famous trends, as was the Italian bun, very common among actresses of the time. These hairstyles required time and dedication but were considered essential to complete any outfit of the 50s wardrobe.

Short hair was also favored with pronounced and very sensual waves in the style of Marilyn Monroe, who also promoted the trend of blonde color in the hair of 50s ladies. The "victory roll" and hairstyles with volume at the crown were techniques that required skill and specific products like hairspray and rollers.

For their part, men did not have much to choose from: short and well-defined hair was enough. They styled it with a side part and quiff, applying pomade (gel) to fix the hair well, creating that neat and masculine look so characteristic of the era.

The women who defined the style of the 50s

1950s women's fashion cannot be understood without mentioning the icons who popularized it and brought it to the masses through cinema and the media.

Audrey Hepburn became synonymous with refined and minimalist elegance. Her collaboration with renowned designers created some of the most memorable looks of 1950 clothing, especially her iconic black dresses that became style references. Her natural and sophisticated elegance influenced millions of women.

Marilyn Monroe represented the other end of the spectrum: pure sensuality and exuberant glamour. Her tight dresses, especially that famous white dress lifted by the wind, defined a way of understanding femininity that remains a reference today.

Grace Kelly, before becoming Princess of Monaco, set the standards of aristocratic elegance. Her 50s wardrobe combined sophistication and accessibility, showing how haute couture could adapt to everyday life without losing its distinction.

Elizabeth Taylor brought drama and luxury to the fashion of the era. Her public appearances were fashion events themselves, where every detail of her 1950 clothing was analyzed and copied by women worldwide.

The 50s wardrobe in the Spanish context

Spain was a protagonist and influencer of fashion of the 50s, although with its own particularities. In Spain, as in the rest of Europe, Parisian fashion, the glamour and elegance of the European woman marked this period.

However, the Spanish 50s wardrobe had to adapt to the country's social and economic circumstances. The influence of Spanish cinema, with actresses like Carmen Sevilla and Sara Montiel, helped popularize certain styles of 1950 clothing that combined international trends with more traditional and conservative elements.

The differences between urban and rural fashion were more marked than in other European countries, but gradually the trends of 1950s women's fashion spread from big cities to the rest of the territory, adapting to the economic possibilities and social norms of each region.

The aromas that complemented the elegance of the 50s

1950 clothing was not complete without the right fragrance. The 50s saw the birth of some of the most iconic fragrances in history, perfectly complementing the glamour and sophistication of the era.

Fragrances of the 50s were characterized by being intense and long-lasting, with complex floral notes and oriental accords that evoked luxury and femininity. The classic fragrances of this decade, with their sophisticated compositions, reached their peak popularity during these years, becoming olfactory symbols of feminine elegance.

At Divain, we understand the importance of those classic aromas that defined an era. Our fragrances capture that timeless essence of the 50s, offering fragrances that evoke the same sophistication and elegance that characterized 1950 clothing. Each fragrance is designed to complement that classic and refined style that never goes out of fashion.

The fragrance was considered an accessory as important as gloves or handbags in the 50s wardrobe. Elegant women of the time knew that a good fragrance could completely transform an outfit, adding that sensory dimension that completed their presence.

Incorporate the elegance of the 50s into your current style

The beauty of fashion of the 50s lies in its ability to reinvent itself and adapt to modern times. Many elements of 1950 clothing remain relevant and elegant today.

To incorporate the style of the 50s into your current wardrobe, you can start with key pieces such as dresses with a defined waist, midi skirts with volume, or blouses with discreet but flattering necklines. Accessories also play a fundamental role: a belt that marks the waist, medium-heeled shoes, and of course, a fragrance that evokes that classic elegance.

The 50s wardrobe teaches that true elegance is not about following all trends but finding those pieces and styles that enhance your personality and make you feel confident and sophisticated. 1950s women's fashion reminds us that femininity can be expressed in many ways, always maintaining class and distinction as fundamental pillars.

On special occasions, fully recreating a 1950 clothing look can be a fun and elegant experience. From themed events to celebrations where you want to stand out with a unique and timeless style, elements of fashion of the 50s remain a wise choice for those seeking sophistication and distinction.

Fashion of the 50s left us a legacy of elegance that transcends time, reminding us that true style is not just what we wear but how we wear it and the confidence we project while doing so.