Women’s 1950s clothing is timeless. Cool cats and hipsters made the 1950s decade iconic for its youthful poodle skirts and saddle shoes as well as capri pants and cute cardigan sweaters.
1950s housewives played a role in defining the ultra-feminine housedress style we love to wear today. 1950s pinups were sexy in wiggle dresses and kitten heels.
Read about 1950s fashion history and get 50s outfit ideas.
We gathered links to affordable 1950s clothing brands to help you find the perfect 50s outfit.
50s Clothing for Women
Dresses | Tops | Skirts | Pants | Shoes | Lingerie | Accessories | Patterns | more
![1950s Clothing & Fashion for Women 50s Style Short Light Brown Costume Wig. Cosplay Wig. [01-3-Marilyn-8] $39.99 AT vintagedancer.com](https://i.etsystatic.com/10697761/r/il/e4b57f/1337688233/il_794xN.1337688233_ntug.jpg)
More 50s Clothes
- 1950s Dresses and Plus Size Dresses
- Pencil/Wiggle Dresses
- Cocktail Dresses and Evening Gowns
- Wedding Dresses
- Skirts and poodle skirts
- Crinolines/ Petticoats
- Pants, Jeans and Capris
- Shorts and Rompers
- Tops and Shirts
- Sweaters and Sweater Vests
- Coats and Jackets
- Swimsuits
- Workwear
- Lingerie and Stockings
- Shoes – more flats, boots, wide sizes, and sandals
- Sunglasses
- Jewelry
- Hair Accessories and Wigs
- Makeup Guide
- Hats
- Handbags
- Gloves
- Costumes – Halloween and Party
- Sewing Patterns
- Children’s Clothing
- 50 Vintage Inspired Clothing Brands
- Vintage Reproduction Shoe Brands | Women and Men
1950s Fashion History
- 1950s Women’s Fashion History – An introduction to fashions changes in the 1950s.
- Guide to 1950s Women’s Fashion – An infographic and guide to creating a 1950s look.
- 1950s Fabrics and Fashion Colors – What colors were popular in the 50s?
- 1950s House Dresses and Aprons – History of the humble housewife’s uniform.
- 1950s Dress Styles– for day and afternoon looks.
- 1950s Pencil, Wiggle, Sheath Dresses – A closer look at the slim silhouette
- 1950s Formal and Prom Dress History- Evening and party dresses
- 1950s Women’s Suits History and Pictures
- The Hostess Dress – I Love Lucy sported this dress over capri set. Learn the history.
- 1950s Wedding Dresses, Shoes – History of ’50s weddings attire
- 1950s Tops, Shirts, Blouses – Learn all about the different styles.
- 1950s Skirts– Poodle skirts, circle skirts, pencil skirts for teens and women.
- 1950s Women’s Pants – Capri pants and more from the 1940s and 1950s styles.
- 1950s Women’s Shorts and Rompers – 1950s shorts, culottes, capri styles.
- 1950s Sweaters – 1940s to 1960s sweats and knitwear history
- 1950s Coats and Jackets – Long, short and fur coat history. Casual jackets.
- 1950s Swimsuits – Retro swimsuits for summertime pool parties.
- 1950s Sleepwear, Loungewear – History and shopping guide
- 1950s Lingerie – Bras, panties, corsets, slips and more underwear.
- 1950s Petticoat History- Crinolines and petticoats to make skirts fluffy
- 1950s Stockings and bobby socks.
- 1950s Shoes – History and shopping guide. More about winter boots, sandals, and flats.
- 1950s Hats – Learn about the common styles of 1950s hats.
- 1950s Handbags – Bags, purses, and handbags for day to night.
- Sunglasses and Eyeglasses for women
- 1950s Hairstyles for Women – The major hairstyle trends with pictures.
- 1950s Jewelry styles – Styles and trends of 1950s jewelry.
- 1950s Makeup Guide – Natural women’s makeup history and tutorial. Plus, a review of my favorite ’50s makeup guide.
- 1950s Accessories – Tips on using a 50s scarf, parasol, umbrella, gloves, hair flower, to accessorize an outfit.
- Accessories history: Belts, neck scarves, winter scarves, gloves,
- Vintage Workout Clothes & Retro Gym Clothes
- 1950s Hawaiian or Tropical Clothes – Where to shop online for sarong, tiki, and tropical print dresses
- 1950s Plus Size Fashion History– History of extended sizes and styling advice.
- 1950s Mature Women Fashion, Mrs. Clothing
- Vintage Maternity Clothes History 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
- 1950s Black Fashion, African American Clothing Photos | Gallery
- 1930s, 1940s, 1950s Western Wear for Women and Men
- Vintage Jeans 1930s-1970s History for Women
- Capsule Wardrobes 1910 to 1960
- 1953 Fashion, Clothing Styles
- 50s Girls Costumes – Little girls and young adult clothing.
- 1950s Teenager Fashion – What teen girls went for in the 50s
1950s Outfit Ideas
- 50s Outfits – 20 Ideas from Casual to Classy.
- 1950s Women’s Outfit Inspiration
- Guide to 1950s Women’s Fashion – An infographic and guide to creating a 1950s look.
- How to Dress for a Sock Hop
- 1940s-1950s Fall Outfit Ideas
- Vintage Western Wear Clothing, Outfit Ideas
- Vintage Cruise Outfits, Vacation Clothing
- 1950s Clothing Online – A guide to shopping for vintage-inspired 1950s wardrobe
Women’s 1950s clothing was characterized by a feminine and modest look, with an emphasis on shaping the hourglass figure. Here are some popular 1950s clothing items for women:
- Swing dresses: These dresses were calf-length and had a very full skirt that flared out from the waist. They were worn with petticoats to add volume. 1950s dress tops had small peter pan collars or a sweetheart neckline with fitted waist. Thin or ultra wide belts were worn with dresses and skirts.
- Pencil skirts: These skirts were narrow and fitted, ending just below the knee. Pencil skirts often called wiggle skirts were paired with blouses or sweaters.
- Capri pants: These pants were cropped at the ankle and had a high waistline. Capri pants were worn with a tucked in blouse.
- Cardigan sweaters: These button up 50s sweaters came in matching Twin Sets draped around the shoulders.
- Peter pan collar blouses: These blouses had a rounded collar that lay flat against the neckline.
- Kitten heels: These little shoes had a low, thin heel that was less than two inches high.
- Gloves: Most ladies wore short wrist length gloves with their outfits.
- Princess Coats: To stay warm 1950s women wore Fit ‘n Flare Princess coats that copied the shape of the dress underneath.
- Stockings: No bare legs in the 1950s. Women wore nude or black stockings with a black backseam up the leg.
- Jewelry: A single short stand of pearls was the only jewelry every woman had to own.
- Eyeglasses: Glasses were cool, especially cat eye glasses and sunglasses.
- Neckscarf: A chiffon neck scarf tied around the neck was a way to show off your dating status or just to be fashionable.
Women’s 1950s casual clothes were high waisted cigarette pants and denim jeans paired with a button down shirt or halter top. Flat sneakers like Keds were casual and comfortable as well moccasin shoes and ballet flats.
Every cool girl had a pair of cat eye glasses and sunglasses. Hair was kept back in a ponytail or long with a headband.
In summer, 1950s shorts could be long or very short with a high waistband. Halter tops were the most cool.
Peasant blouses with border print skirts were taken on 1950s vacations.
The 1950s fashion revival has come full circle with the return of the fifties swing dress, wiggle dress, retro swimsuit, and shoes for women.
Whether you need to dress up your daily vintage inspired pinup/Rockabilly wardrobe or for a fifties themed event, wedding, or prom, we can help you find the perfect outfit.
