West Side Story, a classic musical for over 60 years, has come back with a colorful and more authentic film adaption in 2021. Costume designer Paul Tazewell has done a remarkable job of recreating 1957 New York fashion for the diverse cast. Each character wears genuine vintage or reproduction 1950s clothing that is eye candy for vintage enthusiasts. How can you find similar clothing?
2021 West Side Story costumes
We have some outfit ideas and links to sources to buy West Side story costumes, dresses, shoes and accessories for women. For men, read this article (coming soon).
West Side Story Movie Costumes Research
A few cultures from West Side Story were not well represented in most fashion history. Paul Tazewell turned to Bruce Davidson photographs of New York gangs and personal accounts of growing up in similar neighborhoods for inspiration. He also turned to my favorite resource- mail order catalogs from Sears and Montgomery Ward. These catalogs are a fairly accurate representation of what working class women, men, teens, and children wore – or at least what they had access to.
In reality, poor families shopped at the free church donation bin, second hand shops, neighborhood Five and Dime shops, or sewed their own clothes with available fabrics. This meant that fashions were not always up to date or of the best quality (something you won’t usually see in the movies).
1957 Teen Fashions
However the 1950s, even among poor and working classes, was a time where being well dressed was very important. Black and Brown communities, immigrants, and those trying to make a better life for themselves strove to dress above their class. It was a matter of pride and cultural significance to dress very well everyday.
1956 Summer Dresses
Maybe the teenage Jets gang didn’t follow the “dress your Sunday best” rule everyday, but the neighborhood girls often did – attracting the attention of a future spouse.
With all this research handy, the 2021 West Side Story costumes came to life. Each character and background extras were placed in cultural, class, and age appropriate clothing with a touch of aspirational Hollywood theming, of course.
Read more history of 1950s women’s fashion and 1950s teenage girl fashion here.
1958 Casual Summer Clothes
The Sharks Girls
Anita
Anita
We begin with a look at Anita (Ariana DeBose), older sister to Maria, who has plenty of advise and a feisty personality. He yellow dress was chosen to reflect the “sun,” a bright light in a community of love for family and New York City’s energy.
Her yellow dress has a sweetheart neckline with halter straps and off the shoulder ruffle sleeves. She wears a red petticoat underneath and yellow strappy peep toe heels. Shop 1950s dresses, petticoats and shoes. Look here for makeup and hairstyle history.
Anita and the Shark’s Girlfriends
Gangs of Shark’s girlfriends and neighborhood extras are dressed in bright summery prints and floral swing dresses, often sleeveless, with equally colorful petticoats. Shoe colors coordinated. Most wore Mary Janes (one strap) or ankle straps, with low heels. A few characters are wearing drop earrings and small hoops.
Some other girls are more casually dressed in red or striped high waisted capri pants (knee length), belts, and sleeveless tops (floral blouse, red shirred top). The movie shoe choices are a bit bizarre. Women would not wear heels with pants, instead wearing simple, low heel loafers, flats or sandals. See below.
1958 Casual Summer Outfits
Maria
White Dress
Maria’s White Dress
The hopeless romantic Maria (Rachel Zegler), attends the dance in a lovely white eyelet dress with red belt. White was chosen to resemble a Catholic Confirmation dress, while the red belt gives a hint at here growing independence. Under the dress is a light slip with some layering for fullness, but not the large net petticoats normally worn with swing dresses.
Her hair is half pulled back (from behind the low ears) and secured with a curved and carved shell/horn clip. She has a thin gold chain necklace with a crucifix. Shoes are neutral tan Mary Jane dancing shoes.
West Side Story Dance /Party Scene
The extras are all wearing colorful and lacy party dresses. Taffeta fabric was also very popular for its shiny and “swishy” sounds. Most are swing dresses, while some are more A-line or drop waist styles.
Anita wears a lovely off the shoulder black cocktail dress with a red petticoat, black stockings and heels.
1956 Teen Party Dresses
Skirt Outfit
Maria’s Skirt Outfit
When we see Maria go on her date with Tony, she is conservatively dressed with a below knee length tan pencil skirt, tan or gold slip on loafer shoes, a red-brown short sleeve knit button down sweater, and a peasant style blouse ( search Etsy for vintage peasant blouse).
The white blouses in embroidered with bits of red thread, a nod back to her Puerto Rican roots. Many embroidered blouses and especially nightgowns were imported from Puerto Rico in the 1950s.
More Outfits
Once more movie stills are released we will be able to see many more 1950s outfits from West Side Story 2021. Until then, use the 1950s menu to shop for vintage 1950s style clothes and create your own costume or everyday 50s fashion. Keep in mind it will be easier to find summer clothes in Spring/Summer.
Ask me for help if you finding the perfect outfit.
Debbie Sessions has been teaching fashion history and helping people dress for vintage themed events since 2009. She has turned a hobby into VintageDancer.com with hundreds of well researched articles and hand picked links to vintage inspired clothing online. She aims to make dressing accurately (or not) an affordable option for all. Oh, and she dances too.
