24 Glamorous & Flattering 1950s Fashions We’d Love To See Make a Comeback

Take a walk down memory lane with these a-line dresses, pedal pushers and 'Rockabilly' styles

By Jess Catcher Updated: July 4, 2023

20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

For many of us, ’50s women’s fashion conjures up a sense of warm and fuzzy nostalgia. If you’ve looked at old family photos or watched some of the many classic movies from the time, you know the fashion then was beautifully tailored and feminine, with silhouettes that still flatter today.

The ’50s may have been the middle of the “baby boom,” but families weren’t the only things growing then. Spheres of stylish influence also grew quicker than ever — especially as televisions became more popular to have in the home, and women increasingly found fashion inspiration from magazines and their favorite Hollywood stars, like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.

After dealing with issues such as rations on essential style staples like pantyhose and fabric during World War II, everyone was all too happy to finally be able to gussy up without feeling guilty — even if they were just running errands around town, and the fashions of the day reflected this new prosperity and optimism, with full-skirted dresses in novelty prints, and a new interest in wearable staples like pedal pushers.

The ’50s may have a reputation for being buttoned-up compared to the cultural changes in the ’60s and beyond, but the charming fashions remain timeless, and many of the looks are making a comeback as women choose to embrace well-made, classic pieces in a world of disposable fast fashion.

Here are some of our favorite looks from the era, along with information on what made this 50s women fashion so special.

1950s Style Dresses for Women

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A-line dresses and skirts with narrow waists were the perfect option no matter what you had planned back in the day. The silhouette took inspiration from the iconic couture designer Christian Dior's "New Look" — a highly feminine style that emphasized cinched waists and wide skirts. While not every woman could afford Dior, the silhouette achieved mainstream popularity and an iconic style was born.
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Women often spruced up their dresses with jewelry, gloves, hats and coats in order to look more ladylike and put-together, but some of these dresses in lighter, more casual fabrics were easily worn during the day.
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Tea-length dresses (known today as "midi dresses") instantly made their wearer look composed and worked great with both heels and flats. During this era, designers pulled from a range of sophisticated influences and used gorgeously patterned fabrics that captured the optimism of the time.
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The dress shapes of the '50s were flattering on every figure, and proved you didn't need to reveal a lot of skin to look fabulous. Here, Velma Middleton, who sang jazz with Louis Armstrong's big bands, looks gorgeous in a beaded number with a v-neck and easygoing short sleeves.
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This shot of 1952 Miss Universe contestants shows the trends in dresses at the time. Popular dress designers then included Dior, Balenciaga, Norman Norrell, Pauline Trigère, and Claire McCardell.
1950s Style Pants and Capris

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Cropped, form-fitting pants known as "pedal pushers" became popular for women in the '50s. The name originated from a style originally worn by cyclists. Today these kinds of pants are more commonly known as capris or cropped pants.
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Pants provided a nice way to mix things up when women got tired of dresses and skirts, and were often worn by teens and young women looking to take risks and have fun with their style while remaining classy and comfortable.
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Audrey Hepburn helped prove that pants could be flirty and feminine. The pedal pusher trend continued into the early '60s, with the casual, curve-hugging silhouette being embraced by icons like Mary Tyler Moore and Jackie Kennedy.
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The Swedish actress Anita Ekberg is the epitome of 1950s chic in pedal pushers and a headscarf — riding in a convertible no less. The way her pink pants match her scarf is particularly classic. In this era, women wanted their outfits to be cohesive and well put-together, and pedal pushers don't just look chic, they're also pants you can easily wear while running all over town.
1950s Scarf and Sunglasses

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Ever had a silk or chiffon scarf but not been sure how to wear it? Look to the '50s for inspiration. During this time, scarves were often wrapped around the head as a fashionable way to maintain hairdos while out and about. When it comes to wearing a scarf, it's all about making sure it's tied elegantly. Here's a helpful guide for getting the perfect retro scarf look.
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Scarves can even be worn to the beach or pool, as they offer valuable sun protection for your scalp. They also do a good job of covering up wet hair or hiding a bad hair day, and they look sophisticated while doing it.
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Cat-eye sunglasses were all the rage in the '50s. The curved shape was playful yet sexy, and they were often made of chunky plastic material that was new and innovative at the time.
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Here, actress Joan Fontaine models a rounded version of cat-eye sunglasses, in a lovely multicolored pattern that still looks fresh today.
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But it wasn't just about the cat-eye. Classic wayfarers, as seen on Grace Kelly, gained popularity in the 1950s — and look just as cool today. This shape is more unisex than the cat-eye, and it gives an instant sense of cool. These glasses were also famously worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, and they've never gone out of style.
1950s Rockabilly Style

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The mixture of country and rock music genres also came with its own sense of style. Men would grease their hair back like Elvis Presley, while women wore their hair in ponytails with curled bangs and a cute scarf around their necks.
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Patsy Cline's cropped hairdo, jaunty scarf and Western shirt epitomized the down-home country style of the time, as the beloved singer climbed the charts with songs like "Walkin' After Midnight."
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Wanda Jackson, a '50s contemporary and one-time girlfriend of Elvis Presley, was known as "the Queen of Rockabilly. At a time when there weren't many women in the scene, she brought a feminine spin to the genre, looking cool and tough in flirty outfits. In an interview, she recalled, "I thought, 'I need to dress more like a lady. I need more glamour.' We came up with tight skirts, silky fringe and high heels. I was a big fan of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. So I wanted to dress up like they did... I was like a bird out of a cage once I got my look down."
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The tea-length dress wasn't just for pageant girls. In the '50s, trailblazing female musicians like Sylvia Robinson of the early rockabilly group Mickey and Sylvia showed that a guitar was the perfect accessory for a flowery, dainty dress. Rock on!
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Can you say yeehaw? Here, rockabilly singer Rose Maddox sports country staples with suede fringe and an intricately embroidered blouse. It may be a little over-the-top, but we think the '50s cowgirl look is a whole lot of fun.
1950s Style Bathing Suit

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Many bathing suits at the time had a romper shape, with full coverage of the backside and upper thighs and a structured bodice similar to the bullet bras that were common then. The suit above is designed by Jantzen, a classic swimwear brand that's been around since the early 20th century.
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The bikini was still relatively new in the '50s, as it was first introduced in 1946. Bikinis became increasingly popular among women looking to show off their figures, but the '50s style looks pretty tame compared to the skimpy triangles of later decades. The pin-up-worthy bikinis of the '50s had structured tops and bottoms that were more like shorts (no wedgies here!). While the shape was considered somewhat scandalous at the time, today we think it looks like a great way to be sexy while preserving a touch of modesty.
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In the 1959 movie Suddenly, Last Summer, the legendary beauty Elizabeth Taylor showed the seductive potential of a one-piece, as she emerged from the ocean in a simple white swimsuit that made a big statement. The dramatically low neckline and keyhole cutout stunningly showed off her curves. The steamy suit left so little to the imagination that it almost got the movie banned.
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Here, actress Debbie Reynolds wears a charming suit with a whimsical print and contrasting stitching. The sweetheart neckline and slim straps create a particularly pretty silhouette — one which has recently come back in style. In a world that prioritizes showing skin, many women have recently chosen retro style suits to cover problem areas while looking fabulous. Current designers of retro suits include ModCloth, Norma Kamali and Esther Williams (yep, the swimming screen icon of the '50s loaned her name to a line of beachwear, with old-school silhouettes to match!).
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No conversation about 50s women fashion and swimsuits would be complete without Marilyn Monroe. This classic suit is wonderfully simple, and shows off the figure in a classy way. We'll definitely be channeling Marilyn's iconic glam next time we go to the pool!