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Vintage Dancer

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  • | Men
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Learn all about 1950s fashion history and how to dress in 1950s style clothing and costumes. Our articles are here to help you create an authentic or vintage inspired 1950s costume for both women and men.

The 1950s was a decade where perfect housewives wore full skirt dresses, husbands donned suits and fedora hats, and teenagers danced to Rock 'n Roll in poodle skirts at sock hops. The fifties style is popular again with vintage clothing collectors, pin ups and Rockabilly trendsetters. Whether dressing up for a 1950s themed event, finding a costume for a play, or doing research for a book these articles should help you understand and re-create the 1950s look.

1950s Women's 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
  • 50s Outfits- 20 Ideas from Casual to Classy
  • 1950s fabrics and fashion colors - What colors were popular in the 50s?
  • 1950s House Dresses and aprons- History of the humble housewife's uniform
  • Learn about the three main styles of 1950s dresses. Read about formal and prom dresses here. 
  • You need a petticoat to go with your dress.
  • 1950s Sheath Dresses - More info about the variations of '50s sheath dresses.
  • The Hostess Dress- I Love Lucy sported this dress over capri set
  • 1950s Plus Size fashion- History of fuller sizes and styling advice
  • 1950s Mature Women's Fashion- Clothing styles for the wiser woman
  • 1950s Wedding Dresses, Shoes- History of 50s weddings attire
  • 1950s Maternity Clothing- History of clothing for the baby bump
  • Western Themed clothing - How the Western style evolved before and after the 50s
  • 1950s Clothing Online- A guide to shopping for vintage inspired 1950s women's clothing online.
  • 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 styles and shopping help.
  • 1950s Swimsuits - Retro swimsuits for summer time pool parties.
  • 1950s Lingerie - Bras, panties, corsets, slips and more underwear.
  • 1950s Stockings and bobby socks
  • 1950s Shoes - History and shopping guide to 1950s women's shoes. More about winter boots, sandals and flats.
  • 1950s Coats- Long, short and fur coat history.
  • 1950s Hats- Learn about the common styles of 1950's hats
  • 1950s Handbags - Bags, purses, and handbags for day to night
  • 1950s Hairstyles for women- The major hairstyle trends with pictures
  • 1950s Jewelry styles - Styles and trends of 1950s jewelry
  • 1950s Hawaiian Clothes- Where to shop online for sarong, tiki and tropical prints dresses
  • 1950s Makeup Guide- Natural women's makeup history and tutorial. 1950s Makeup Guide-A review of my favorite 50's makeup guide.
  • 1950s Accessories- Tips using a 50s scarf, parasol, umbrella, gloves, hair flower, and purse to accessorize an outfit
  • Detailed accessories history: Belts, neck scarves
  • 50s Girls Costumes- Little girls and young adult clothing
  • 1950s Teenager Fashion - What teen girls for in the 50s
  • 1950s Black Fashion, African American Clothing Photos
  • How to Dress for a Sock Hop

1950s Men's Fashion History

  • 1950s Men's Fashion: Business Suits
  • 1950s Men's Fashion: Casual Clothing
  • 1950s Men's Workwear
  • 1950s Tuxedos and wedding attire
  • 1950s Men's Shoes - History and shopping guide to men's 1950s shoes. 
  • 1950s Men's Shirts- Learn the history of 1950s men's casual shirt styles.
  • 1950s Men's Dress Shirts- Trends, styles, collars
  • 1950s Men's Hats - Learn about  1950s style men's hats.
  • 1950s Men's Swimsuits - Men's swimwear of the 1930s to 1960s
  • Men's Ties- History men's neckties and bow ties
  • Shop men's vintage, reproduction, or inspired clothing brands
  • Men's Watches - History of wristwatches
  • Men's Socks- History of men's socks
  • Men's Gloves- History of men's gloves
  • Men's Vintage Jewelry- tie clips, rings, etc

 

1950s Dresses with Sleeves

1950s Fashion History

Finding 1950s dresses with long sleeves or 3/4 length sleeves for the modest or mature woman can be a challenge….
Read More

1950s Men’s Underwear History

1950s Men’s Underwear History

1950s Fashion History· Mens Fashions History· Vintage Inspired

Men’s underwear in the 1950s changed little from styles in the 1940s.  Most men chose from 1.) knit or woven…
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Building a Men’s Vintage Casual / Workwear Wardrobe

Building a Men’s Vintage Casual / Workwear Wardrobe

1940s Fashion History· 1950s Fashion History· 1960s Fashion History· Mens Fashions History

Like most men, I hate shopping and I don’t care much enough to follow fashion. Up until recently, I lived…
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1950s Men’s Hairstyles and Grooming

1950s Men’s Hairstyles and Grooming

1950s Fashion History· Mens Fashions History

By the 1950s, some of the more trendsetting men’s barbers were calling themselves hairstylists. This owed to the fact that…
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West Side Story Costumes- Where to Buy

West Side Story Costumes- Where to Buy

1950s Fashion History

West Side Story, a classic musical for over 60 years, has come back with a colorful and more authentic film…
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1950s Men’s Pajamas and Loungewear

1950s Men’s Pajamas and Loungewear

1950s Fashion History

In the 1950s, men’s sleepwear and loungewear become synonymous. Men’s sleeping pajama shirts could be tucked into pajama pants and…
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Gab Jackets – Men’s Vintage Gabardine Jackets

Gab Jackets – Men’s Vintage Gabardine Jackets

1940s Fashion History· 1950s Fashion History· Mens Fashions History

Men’s vintage gab jackets. Gab is short for Gabardine, a lightweight sheen twill material used to make casual short waisted…
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The VintageDancer’s Costume Photos

The VintageDancer’s Costume Photos

1920s Fashion History· 1930s Fashion History· 1940s Fashion History· 1950s Fashion History· 1960s Fashion History· 1970s Fashion History· 1980s Fashion History· Mens Fashions History· Steampunk Fashion· Victorian Fashion History· Vintage Inspired

So what does the VintageDancer team (Debbie and Oscar) wear when we dress up? A bit of everything! From Victorian…
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1950s Women’s Outfit Inspiration

1950s Women’s Outfit Inspiration

1950s Fashion History

Looking for 1950s outfit ideas? We found many authentic and vintage inspired 1950s women’s outfits. Click to see the details…
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1950s Men’s Outfit Inspiration | Clothing Ideas

1950s Men’s Outfit Inspiration | Clothing Ideas

1950s Fashion History

These 1950s men’s outfit ideas will inspire your next ’50s era outfit. Featuring brands that make reproduction 1950s clothing, new…
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1950s Black Fashion, African American Clothing Photos | Gallery

1950s Black Fashion, African American Clothing Photos | Gallery

1950s Fashion History

These photos capture everyday life and special event fashion in the 1950s for black African American men and women, followed…
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1950s Men’s Dress Shirts History

1950s Men’s Dress Shirts History

1950s Fashion History

1950s men’s dress shirts simplified in color, pattern, and details to go with the new look of suits. New colors…
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1950s Apron History: Tea Apron, Half Apron, Cobbler Apron

1950s Apron History: Tea Apron, Half Apron, Cobbler Apron

1950s Fashion History

Aprons took on a new role in the 1950s. Many were still practical, designed for a woman keep clean while…
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1950s Men’s Summer Outfit Ideas

1950s Men’s Summer Outfit Ideas

1950s Fashion History· Mens Fashions History

What did men, guys, and teen boys wear in the 1950s summer? Some very colorful combinations! Read on to learn…
Read More

1950s Tiki Dress History & Photos

1950s Tiki Dress History & Photos

1950s Fashion History

Ever since WWII ended in the 1940s, Hawaiian print shirts, sarong dresses, and tropical flowers have been popular clothing in…
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1950s Sleepwear, Loungewear History and Shopping Guide

1950s Sleepwear, Loungewear History and Shopping Guide

1950s Fashion History

The 1950s saw new materials being utilized for nightwear, sleepwear, and lounge clothes- the most popular of which was Nylon….
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Tall Vintage Repro Brands

Tall Vintage Repro Brands

1930s Fashion History· 1940s Fashion History· 1950s Fashion History

Vintage reproduction and vintage inspired clothing usually does not accommodate tall sizes. A few brands are starting to offer long…
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1950s Glasses, Sunglasses History for Women

1950s Glasses, Sunglasses History for Women

1950s Fashion History

In 1953, journalist Lenore Hailparn wrote, “There was once a time, and it was not so very long ago at…
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1950s Men’s Workwear & Casual Clothes

1950s Men’s Workwear & Casual Clothes

1950s Fashion History

The men’s vintage workwear style has been growing steadily for many years. Vintage suits and ties are out and in…
Read More

Vintage Capsule Wardrobes-  1910s-1960s

Vintage Capsule Wardrobes- 1910s-1960s

1920s Fashion History· 1930s Fashion History· 1940s Fashion History· 1950s Fashion History· 1960s Fashion History· Vintage Inspired

What is in your closet? The number of clothing we have today is massive compared to the limited wardrobes from…
Read More

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We are Debbie and Oscar, your guides to dressing up like decades past. We are here to help you find clothing online and learn about vintage fashions as worn by everyday people, just like you. Need help with your look? Ask us anytime.

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Click on the picture or title of the product and you will be redirected to the online merchant selling that item. Questions about sizing and shipping are answered on the merchants website.

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Dressing in vintage style clothing for a themed event or personal fashion is our passion. We turned a hobby into this website to make it easy to find vintage inspired clothing for women and men online spanning 1900-1960s. Our fashion history blog helps you create the look from decades past using vintage, vintage inspired and thrifty clothing, Need help? Ask us anytime.

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