The 1950s were a period when dresses were almost worn every day. Today we might wear jeans and a t-shirt, but in the fifties, a dress was the main thing hanging in every woman’s closet. These dresses were of several colors, prints, and shapes. But most of them followed two main looks, namely the big, full swing skirt or the slim, straight pencil skirt. Both were loved and worn by women of all ages.
What Made 1950s Dresses Special
Most dresses during this decade had a tiny “pulled-in” waist. This gave the appearance of a small waist, like the shape of a wasp. The top part, known as the bodice, was tight-fitting on the body. Then the dress flared into either a full skirt or remained narrow for a pencil skirt. Shoulders were soft and not overly wide, as this gave a gentle, neat look to the whole dress.
Popular Fabrics and Colors
Fabrics in the 1950s were fun and full of life. Cotton was common for day-to-day house dresses. Wool and linen were worn during the day (day or outings or working). New fabrics such as rayon and early polyester were also popular. They were easy to wash, and they were easy to wear.
Colors were vivid and optimistic. Pastel colors such as baby blue, soft pink, mint, and butter yellow were everywhere. But bold colors were making waves too. Deep reds, navy, emerald green, and rich purples were trendy, too.
The Best 1950s Dress Styles
Patterns were so big in this decade. You would have little flowers, large flowers, polka dots, stripes, plaids, and gingham checks. Some dresses even featured fun prints such as tropical leaves, tiny anchors, science shapes, western themes, or artist-inspired borders down the length of the skirt.
Swing Dresses: So, Full Skirt
One of the most well-known dress styles in the 1950s was the full swing dress. These dresses featured wide skirts that swung in beautiful motions when a woman walked or danced. Many women put a petticoat under the skirt to make it even fuller and bouncier.
Necklines came in all shapes and sizes: round, square, sweetheart, V-neck, or boat neck. Some dresses had cute collars, such as Peter Pan collars or wide white collars, contrasting with the dress color.
Swing dresses were worn for parties, picnics, school dances, and even day-to-day chores. They were fun, pretty, and made women feel like they were dressed up even on simple days.
Pencil Dresses: The Slim, Sleek Look
On the other side of the fashion are the straight pencil dresses. These dresses fit close to the body from the waist to the bottom. The skirt touched the knee or the calf and had a small hole in the rear part so that the wearer could walk.
These dresses looked classy and grown-up. These were often worn to dinners, jobs, or evening events. Many pencil dresses featured little bows, gleaming buttons, and adorable pockets. These could be sleeveless, short-sleeved, or with long sleeves.
A simple black pencil dress was a must-have for every woman. It would be worn with pearls for a fancy night or with a scarf out for the day.
Shirtwaist Dresses: The Every-Day Favorite
The shirtwaist dress resembled a blouse above and a skirt below. It was a button-down front featuring an easy slip-on. Women doing housework loved this style since it was comfortable and easy to clean. Many were made of cotton with the smallest of prints or gingham.
This dress can be dressed up or down and worn for going out, at home, or to a party. It was a standard appearance for the 1950s movies and shows.
Coat Dresses: Warm and Trendy
Coat dresses resembled long coats but were worn as dresses. They had big buttons, long sleeves, and thicker fabric, making them perfect for cold months. They frequently came with a matching belt and had a fuller skirt.
Hostess Dresses: Fun for Events at Home
A hostess dress was worn in the home when having guests over. This was sometimes accompanied by matching slim pants underneath a long open dress or duster. This look was stylish and made women look fancy without being too uncomfortable at home.
Jumper and Pinafore Dresses
Such dresses were worn over blouses. Teens preferred the full skirt varieties, and women opted for pencil skirts. These often had wide straps and were made of denim, corduroy, or cotton.
The Chemise Dress: The “Sack” Dress
Near the end of the 1950s, a loose dress known as the chemise was popular. It was straight and wide and didn’t even have a waist. Many people did not like it, but it still became a slight trend and then disappeared by the early 1960s.
Why 1950s Style Dresses Are Significant to Us Today
These vintage styles are still popular because they are timeless. The shapes are good-looking on many body types. The bright colors and fun print make people happy. Whether someone enjoys the big swing shape or the neat pencil shape, there is a 1950s style for everyone.
Modern forms of these dresses are easy to find nowadays. Many people wear them for themed parties, photo shoots, weddings, or even just for fun.