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50s fashion trends that ruled the decade

These iconic looks are still relevant today...

Marilyn Monroe lying on a carpet in a red dress and black opera gloves
Orin Carlin
Content Writer
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Celebrities rocking Old Hollywood-inspired red carpet looks that we fawn over today owe an exceptional amount to the girls who came before. The 1950s was a decade full of glamour and promise, with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe serving as the period's most enchanting It-girls.

MORE: The 20 most iconic style quotes of all time

READ: 1920s fashion trends we still adore in 2023

What was 1950s fashion like?

In comparison to contemporary style, the 1950s had an air of formality. In response to the end of World War II, designers embraced newfound larger fabric quantities and carved out a new silhouette. Christian Dior was at the helm of this movement, and the result was flouncy, wide-circle skirts with narrow, nipped-in waists. 

In London, the Teddy Boy look emerged for teenagers and young adults, intrinsically linked to the subculture. Vilified by the papers, these rock 'n' roll obsessives had a reputation for hooliganism and bad behaviour. The look consisted of drape jackets, richly reminiscent of 1940s American zoot suits, styled alongside drainpipe trousers with exposed socks and slick quiffs.

Wanting to infuse your current wardrobe with a splash of vintage elegance? Keep scrolling…

How we chose the pieces 

After considering which 1950s fashion trends have stood the test of time, we scoured the internet's top fashion sites, taking into account style, price point and quality, to help you get the look in 2023.

Hello! Fashion shares the 1950s fashion trends that ruled the decade:

Wide skirts

Grace Kelly wearing a wide circle skirt © Getty
The style was pioneered by Christian Dior

The trend

Celebrating the end of wartime fabric shortages, Christian Dior orchestrated a bold new silhouette with his now-iconic 'New Look'. An indulgent wide-shape skirt enchanted women across the globe, and revolutionised traditional approaches towards feminine silhouettes. While the style is less commonplace today, it is still often used in celebrity red carpet looks to serve a certain retro glamour.

MORE: The fashion trends from the 1960s that we still adore today

Style advice

Flared mid-length skirt - Dior
Flared mid-length skirt - Dior

Crafted from camel gabardine, this piece pays homage to Dior's rich heritage with its elegant flared cut. But a two-tier composition allows it a certain contemporary cool, lending itself to the current boho revival. The weight of the fabric, in tandem with gathered detailing, gives structure, and the skirt would work well alongside a fitted square-neck top and a thick, equestrian-inspired belt to emphasise a cinched-in silhouette.

Cat-eye sunglasses

Woman wearing cat-eye sunglasses © Getty
The feline effect is infinitely chic

The trend

Sultry, feline-shaped shades first took off in the 1950s, and were often styled alongside elegant headscarves. Cat-eye sunglasses further skyrocketed in popularity the following decade thanks to OG cat-eye trendsetter Holly Golightly, aka Audrey Hepburn.

Style advice

Cat-eye sunglasses - Mango
Cat-eye sunglasses - Mango

Upturned, cat-eye styles suit most face shapes, but work especially well on longer faces since they add width. These glossy acetate frames by Mango are created from recycled post-industrial waste and would work excellently alongside a cream wide-brimmed sun hat and a cheery out-of-office attitude.

Silk scarves

Sophie Loren wearing a green and red silky scarf around her neck © Getty
Silk scarves are extremely versatile

The trend

Ah, the perennially chic silk scarf. Believe it or not, they're actually pretty difficult to pull off without veering into air hostess territory, and yet, somehow the 1950s starlets got it right every time. Your accessory arsenal is incomplete without one.

 READ: 1970s fashion trends that are having a major revival this season

RELATED: 80s fashion for women: 6 incredible style moments we still love today

Style advice 

Peacock Garden 70 x 70 Silk Scarf - Liberty
Peacock Garden 70 x 70 Silk Scarf - Liberty

Known for its superlative print designers, Liberty make the most exquisite silk scarves. Fusing retro flair with contemporary playfulness, this square peacock piece has a joyful eclecticism. Infinitely versatile, this scarf could adorn a printed top-handle bag, be wrapped around the hair like a bandana or be tied around the neck à la our vintage style icons.

High-waisted bikinis

Marilyn Monroe wearing a high-waisted bikini  © Getty
The style is known for being flattering on the stomach

The trend

The modern bikini was born in 1946, and yet, the two-piece swimsuit flourished the following decade when glamour shots of popular actresses and models brought the style into the mainstream. After years of lying dormant, the swimwear style has come roaring back into fashion consciousness in the last decade with the likes of Arabella London, Dolce & Gabbana and Hunza G all championing chic high-waisted designs.

Style advice 

Ruby seersucker bandeau bikini - Hunza G
Ruby seersucker bandeau bikini - Hunza G

Swimwear specialist Hunza G excels in poolside glam, and this bandeau bikini is currently sitting at the top of our holiday wish list. Created from the label's signature seersucker, the crinkled effect is extremely forgiving, the high-waisted cut flattering, and the rich, ruby shade has a certain classic charm.

Pencil skirts

Pencil skirts emphasised the hugely popular hourglass silhouette © Getty
Pencil skirts emphasised the hugely popular hourglass silhouette

The trend

The pencil skirt came to define 1950s workwear, with revered designer Christian Dior creating his own version in his 1954 autumn/winter collection. Paired with fitted jackets or cropped cardigans, the style oozed unfussy sophistication. 

Style advice 

Tie-dye knit midi skirt - Zara
Tie-dye knit midi skirt - Zara

Thinking of rocking a pencil skirt in 2023? For an easy-breezy holiday moment, Zara's tie-dye effect version feels current and interesting, plus the high street stalwart even offers a chic one-shoulder top in a matching colourway so you can wear them as a co-ord.

Gingham 

50s Fashion Trends Gingham© Photo: Getty Images

The trend

Gingham has been about practically forever, but there was something about 1950s cuts that made the summery, playful pattern really sing. Wanting to incorporate a spot of gingham into your wardrobe today? Look no further than Molly Goddard, Rouje and Shrimps.

Style advice 

Oriana dress - Rouje
Oriana dress - Rouje

Affordable designer label Rouje excels in chic, enduring silhouettes that, crucially, aren't bound to monotonous neutral colour palettes, unlike some of its more expensive counterparts. Rouje's Oriana dress, created from navy gingham cloqué, would look amazing styled with of-the-moment mules and a bold scarlet lip.

Hourglass silhouettes

1950s woman with an hourglass silhouette © Getty
The 'hourglass' was the silhouette du jour

The trend

Defined by bust and hip measurements nearly equal in width, the hourglass shape was all the rage back then, often achieved via cinching belts that have the effect of a nipped-in waist. Our modern day hourglass icon? Kim Kardashian with a capital 'K'. 

Style advice 

Wide Waist Belt - & Other Stories
Wide Waist Belt - & Other Stories

High street belts can often look cheap and unappealing, but this thick black version by & Other Stories poses an unexpectedly stylish counterargument. Crafted from chrome-free leather and featuring gold chrome detailing, it would look great layered over a printed peasant dress to add structure. 

Halter necklines

Elizabeth Taylor wearing a halter neck line © Getty
The halter neckline was everywhere back then

The trend

Still relevant in the popular Y2K crop styles of today, halter necklines were huge back then, within the context of swimwear as well as elegant evening dresses.

Style advice 

Floaty halter-neck tank top - Cos
Floaty halter-neck tank top - Cos

Does your holiday eveningwear need an upgrade? Consider Cos' pistachio hued halter top, crafted from a liquid-like Ecovero viscose blend. Team with white tailored trousers and minimalist metallic sandals for maximum impact.

Gloves

Audrey Hepburn wearing short white gloves © Getty
Gloves were a major 1950s accessory trend

The trend

Gloves were strongly linked to etiquette, and upper class women wore them pretty much whenever they left the house. Shorter styles were appropriate for daywear, whereas longer, opera styles were deemed suitably glamorous for an evening affair.

Style advice 

Scalloped crocheted cotton gloves - The Row
Scalloped crocheted cotton gloves - The Row

Check out Belgian label Dries van Noten for high drama opera gloves, but The Row's short crochet pair have caught our eye for a more relaxed, summery feel. Featuring ruffled cuffs and saccharine scalloped edging, these gloves are guaranteed to spark passionate conversations among accessory aficionados.

Cuffed jeans 

Woman sitting on steps wearing cuffed jeans © Getty
The turned-up look was popular for both women and men

The trend

Originally designed for functional purposes, jeans had a moment in the 1950s, during which they crossed over into everyday wear. Hollywood heartthrobs Marlon Brando and James Dean popularised the turned-up look and teenagers followed suit, embracing cuffed jeans into their wardrobes.

Style advice 

Turn-up Jeans - Boden
Turn-up Jeans - Boden

Boden's cuffed jeans look far more expensive than they actually are on account of the dark denim fabric and attention to detail in the topstitching finish. Team yours with a simple plain white tee and platform sneakers for a sense of casual cool.

Cropped trousers

Dawn Addams wearing cropped black and white check trousers © Getty
Cropped lengths were all the rage

The trend

While dresses and skirts still dominated, ankle-grazing cigarette trousers and shorter capri styles trickled down to the masses via screen stars.

Style advice 

Efeso printed cotton slim pants - 'S Max Mara
Efeso printed cotton slim pants - 'S Max Mara

Cropped trousers are actually quite a tricky trend to nail. Your best bet is to try on heaps of different styles until you find 'the one'. Graphic prints such as 'S Max Mara's Efeso design add interest, and this particular pair would look super flattering alongside minimalist mules to elongate the line of the leg if you have shorter calves.

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