The 50's are one of my favorite fashion eras. I believe the silhouette created to tuck in at the waist and flare out was one of the most flattering for all women's body's then and now. Always with vintage dressing there is an inherent danger with looking like a total costume in today's time vs. looking stylish and honoring the decade, but there are a lot of modern cuts, and fabrics, and styles that still honor the era but in a modern and fresh way.
To start, this was the classic looks of the 50's. Largely seen as a bit more conservative by modern standards. Jeans/pants for women were slowly trickling in to the mainstream, but women mainly still wore dresses and skirts even whilst engaging in sports. There were sensible shoes, matching purses and shoes and belts, and an emphasis more so on a homogeneous look imposed by society at large.
To bring it into a modern edge, start by ditching the loads of crinoline unless you're going to a very formal affair where a bit of volume would be welcomed. You still want to honor the time, and the fact that a lot of women still either made their own clothes or had them specially made for themselves, by at least going to a tailor to have yours taken in to fit you to a t vs. something straight off the rack that's loose and ill fitting.
The easiest way to update the look is to pair it modern hair that isn't stiffly styled and modern skinnier heeled shoes, boots, or tennis shoes in all flavors. Bring in a more modern edge by mixing 50's style pieces and tops with more shorts and pants in modern cuts and styles which are more current to today's time period. You do want to crop, shorten, and wear the holey jeans which are things which would rarely if ever been seen or acceptable in that time period.
What Girls Said
Thanks for posting those great ol' pics. Love the old movies too. What a great time for fashions, wished I could have lived back then. The women and the fashions were so beautiful, classy, feminine and sexy. I love shopping for vintage/retro clothing, lingerie, shoes, etc.
You're welcome. Favorite fashion decade because things were so classy, and beautiful, lovely. The dresses alone from this decade from Prom's to weddings to formals... stunning.
Totally agree. Everything from the 40's to the early 60's maybe, was the best. Audrey Hepburn, Donna Reed, young Liz Taylor, Greer Garson, Maureen O'Hara, and on and on, etc.
Too many to list , but all stunning. Let's go back to heels, stockings with seams, bullet bras, gloves and lots of pearls!
You're totally speaking my language!
Ha! I found my fashion and shopping soulmate!
50's such an amazing time for style and beauty :) love the pictures you included
I love the 50's for fashion and beauty. Great my take!