How to Dress for a 50s Sock Hop- Authentic 50s Outfits

Dancing in a poodle skirt (but that is not a poodle)

A 1950s sock hop is probably the most common event theme of the fifties decade. Visions of teenage girls twirling in felt poodle skirt costumes, white lace socks, and saddle shoes make me want to jump in and dance with them. While the poodle skirt look has been shown in nearly every ’50s movie in every sock hop scene for the last 60 years, it was not the only thing young women wore to a sock hop, nor was it the most popular.

Let me show you how to dress for a 1950s sock hop as authentically as possible, poodle skirt or not! Shop poodle skirts here.

For guys, I have some sock hop attire ideas at the end of the article. Click here to jump to men’s sock hop outfits.

1950s Sock Hop Outfits: Poodle Skirts

Poodle skirt outfit at Unique Vintage

1950s skirts were trendy items teens girls would wear. They could wear dresses, too, but the ’50s were the era of mixing and matching separates. Skirts, both full and pencil shapes, were popular although for a school dance the big swing skirt was the best.

Being coordinated was a big deal to the teenage girl. Having a big fluffy skirt was an even bigger deal. The bigger the better. Girls would layer on petticoats for maximum fullness or use a hoop skirt, which was bigger and lighter.

Petticoat under poodle skirts

1950s hoop skirts, however, had some problems. They were difficult to sit in, prone to flipping up in the wind, and showed visible hoop lines underneath thin cotton dresses.

All of these issues were solved when someone had the bright idea to use wool felt instead of thin dress fabrics. The thick felt made circle skirts easy to sew (no hemming edges), light to wear (only a yard or two was needed instead of the usual 5 yards) and never showed a hoop skirt line. Hallelujah!

Novelty 1957 circle skirts- butterflies, toys, plaid, dancing dolls for girls

1950s teens and women added felt circle skirts to their (mostly winter) wardrobes. They then spruced them up with cute appliques of animals, music, and catchy phrases like “See you later alligator.” Adults avoided these cute themes but did decorate their skirts with rick rack, zig-zags, stars, and flower appliques.

1955 zig zag skirts

One of the original 50s skirts featured three poodles with leashes attached to the skirt band. The ’50s were obsessed with all things French and the French walked small dogs, like poodles. Scottie dogs, beagles, roosters, mice, butterflies, and cats were other cute animals that decorated poodle skirts.

Vintage 1950s white poodle skirt with black poodle dog

1950s skirts were usually paired with a white button-down blouse with a round Peter Pan collar.  They could also have pointed collars and come in a range of pastel colors such as pink, yellow, baby blue, teal and lilac. Sleeveless blouses were another option for summer or for hot sock hops nights in the school gym.

1950s white blouses

Some 1950s poodle skirt looks were worn with short and long sleeve knit tops or sweaters.  The prettiest cardigan sweaters were embroidered with flowers or decorated with beads. The length of the 50s sweater was quite short so that it came down only to the waistband.

Teen knit tops and cardigan sweaters

The 1950s twin set, a short sleeve knit top with matching knit cardigan sweater, is another iconic pairing with ’50 poodle skirts.  Any and all of these 1950s tops would have been worn with skirts to a sock hop.  Learn more about for ’50s tops.

1957 Twin sweater set with neck scarf

Most 50s teen girls preferred the plain knit top or sweater because they looked best with a chiffon or silk neck scarf. Tied to one side of the neck in a simple knot, they were the perfect sock hop accessory! This is the one item 1950s Halloween costume designers got right.

Most 1950s neck scarves were a solid color that matched the skirt or at least the belt.  If it wasn’t worn around the neck, it could be tied around the hair like a headband or around a high pony tail, AKA the 50s cheerleader look.

1957 neck scarf

Speaking of accessories, poodle skirts needed a wide belt. Maybe not needed, but they looked best with a wide cinch belt or shiny vinyl belt that matched the skirt but could also be black. The belt both nipped in the waist and held down blouses that were prone to riding up.

Knit tops and sweaters that were worn over skirt bands did not need belts. Shop 1950s belts here.

1958 skirts with belts

Poodle skirts were not the only 1950s sock hop outfit.  Full swing skirts came in solid colors and big patterns, border prints, plaids, gingham checks, various size polka dots and novelty themes of travel, fruit, and artistic designs.  Blouses were white or a coordinating color. Shop 1959s skirts. 

What about pencil skirts? While most modern pencil skirts and skin tight and of stretchy materials, the 1950s pencil skirt was roomy enough to walk or dance comfortably. Mid calf length pencil skirts had a slit in the back or were ruffled and flared at the hem. These made 1950s pencil skirts easier to dance in- especially when the Twist came out clothe to the 1960s.

You don’t have to wear a full skirt to a sock hop. Many teens wore the opposite, pencil skirt, to a dance. They were great to do the “twist” in.

1950s Socks and Shoes

Moving down the leg, we get to socks and shoes. Socks were white, almost always white, and folded down three times to create a neat cuff around above the ankle. they were called Bobby Socks. My favorite ‘50s socks are Gold Toe cotton socks.

Many ’50s costumes include white socks with a ruffle lace edge. I have over 20 clothing catalogs from the 1950s and NONE of them have lace edge socks for sale. I am not sure where this trend originated, but it certainly wasn’t part of the 1950s. Lace socks came about in the 1980s, when the “little girl look” was in style.

1957 saddle shoes

Teens may have worn nude stockings instead of or in addition to socks. Wearing stockings was a right of passage into womanhood.  They were almost always nude with a reinforced high heel and backseam.  Seamless stockings were coming into style especially with girls who though the backseam was “too old” styled.

1950s backseam, cuban heel stockings

Wearing shoes to a sock hop was necessary, but dancing in them was optional.

Black and white saddle shoes are the most iconic and certainly very popular among teens. You can’t go wrong wearing saddle shoes. Consider other two-tone colors, too — blue, tan, gray, and even pink.

Other shoe styles were slip-on loafers (penny loafers), plain low heel oxfords, moccasins and black ballet flats. Flatties usually not worn with socks. Women could wear high heels, but teens could not. That, along with wearing stockings, was a right of passage into adulthood. Shop 1950s shoes.

Canvas shoes such as Keds Champion or Classic Converse  (low top) are other trendy 50s shoes although historically not worn to a sock hop.

1959 Keds style Jeepers brand canvas shoes

1950s Accessories

Besides a cinch belt, neck scarf, and socks add in short gloves to your accessories. Most women wore white gloves in mid arm to short wrist lengths.  1950s women’s gloves could also coordinate color with other accessories.

1957, nylon gloves for summer

For jewelry a short pearl necklace and earrings are classic. Teens loved charm bracelets and gold necklaces with a hanging locket or pendent. Thin tennis bracelets were also trendy for day and party looks.  Adding a poodle or other cute animal brooch to one shoulder would also add some charm to an outfit.

Hairstyles for teen girls were simple. Long, medium and mostly shoulder length hairstyles were curled under to frame the face. A headband was a pretty hair accessory and a hair comb(s) to keep hair off the eyes while dancing. See more examples of women’s 1950s hairstyles. 

 Poodle Skirt Costume Summary

1950s Poodle Skirt Costume

• Chiffon scarf, tied around the neck or hair
• Button down blouse or knit sweater top
• Poodle Skirt or swing skirt
• Wide Belt (optional)
• White socks (Bobby Socks)
• Saddle shoes, loafers, ballet flats
• Gloves (optional)
• Charm bracelet, pearl necklace, or locket necklace

Alternative Sock Hop Costumes

Poodle skirts aside, most teens wore swing dresses, pencil skirts with tops, or swing skirts with twin sets to a school or church dance. These were usually semi-casual affairs, meaning they weren’t a dress up event, although they look very dressed up in our eyes today.

Prom was the most formal 1950s dance. Sock hops were after school / weekend events where teens wore whatever they normally wore to school.

Here are some examples:

1957 Teen dresses, skirt and top separates and a jumper dress

1. Felt skirt with floral applique worn with red knit short sleeve top
2. Two pieces yellow jumper top and sheath skirt over a white, high neck, 1/2 sleeve blouse, and white gloves
3. Blue boat neck top with matching window pane swing skirt and light blue belt
4. Pale blue button down peter pan collar blouse, black thin necktie, black sash belt and plaid swing skirt
5. Grey swing dress with dolman sleeves and red and white trim
6. Lace collar trimmed red taffeta dress and heels (for a dressy party)

These are just a few examples of 1950s teen clothing.

Sock Hop Polka Dot Dresses

Polka dot dresses are very popular 1950s dresses to wear to a sock hop.  You can choose to wear a petticoat for extra fluff or keep it simple without. In the outfit below I added a neck scarf, a wide cinch belt, bobby socks and saddle shoes. A little cropped sweater or bolero sweater could be added too.

Polka Dot Sock Hop Outfit

If you don’t like dresses or skirts, consider a pair of capri pants or high waisted ankle pants and a 50s shirt or blouse.

1950s Style Capri Pants at Unique-Vintage

Shopping for kids? Look at these 1950s girls dresses, shoes, and accessories.

Men’s Sock Hop Outfits

Men have several options for a 1950s sock hop outfit ranging from simple and casual to formal tuxedos.

Vintage letterman sweater outfit

1. Preppy: Button down shirt, varsity jacket or gab jacket, argyle sweater vest, dress pants, horn rim glasses, saddle shoes
2. Student: Button down shirt, letter cardigan sweater
3. Tropical: Hawaiian shirt or bowling shirt, wide leg pants, any kind of 1950s men’s shoes, straw hat
4. Casual: Plaid shirt/bowling shirt/camp shirt, high waist pants, belt, saddle shoes
6. Greaser: Dark denim jeans with cuffs, white T-shirt, leather jacket, black converse sneakers (boots will be too difficult to dance in)
8. Semi-Formal: A 50s style men’s two-piece suit or plaid sports coat, dress shirt,  skinny tie, wingtip shoes, fedora hat
9. Prom: white jacket, black pants, shirt dress shirt, bow tie, patent leather shoes
10. Formal: White dinner jacket, dress shirt, color cummerbund and bow tie or vest and bow tie, patent leather shoes. Learn more about men’s 1950s prom and formal attire here.