How to Look Like You're from the 50s

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 31, 2022 References

The 50s was a fun era for fashion, accessories, hair, and makeup. If you like the more conservative, formal style of the 50s, there are many ways to get achieve the look. Pick out clothing that reflects the era. Add accessories popular at the time. Wear your hair and makeup in a way that reflects the 50s style.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Clothes

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Wear ladylike dresses. The 50s were a big time for dresses. Somewhat traditional, ladylike dresses in bright colors and floral patterns were popular. Stop by a local thrift shop and try to find some dresses that reflect the 50s style.^{[1]
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- Necklines in 50s dresses were usually a swoop, v-neck, or collar. As the time was more conservative, do not opt for anything too revealing. Dresses during the era also usually tended to fall past the knees.
- Shirtwaist dresses were very popular in the '50s. These were dresses with buttons running from the neck to the torso with a full skirt at the bottom.
2
Go for full skirts and pencil skirts. Skirts worn with blouses were a big hit in the '50s. If you want to capture the style of the era, go for pencil skirts or full skirts. Shorter skirts, like miniskirts, don't generally fit with 1950s style.
- Go for patterns popular in the era, such as tropical patterns, polka dots, and brighter colors.
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3
Embrace sweaters. Tight, fitted sweaters, especially for women, were popular in the 1950s. If you're looking to embrace the '50s style, invest in a couple of fitted sweaters. These can make a great addition to your wardrobe if you want to adopt the '50s look.
- Such sweaters pair well when worn with a bullet bra.
4
Invest in cardigans. Cardigans were popular in the '50s and were often worn over shirts and sweaters. As cardigans are still popular today, you can find a wide variety of cardigans at most clothing and department stores.^{[2]
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- Opt for cardigans that look somewhat old fashioned. Purchase something that you could picture one of your grandparents wearing.
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Wear a double-breasted suit. Double-breasted suits were a staple in the '50s. If you want to adopt the '50s style, try wearing a double-breasted suit to formal occasions. You can also wear a double-breasted suit to work if you work in a more formal office setting.^{[3]
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- Make sure you get the right fit. A double-breasted suit can look awkward if it's too big or too small. Get formally fitted at a department store when selecting a double-breasted suit.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Adding Accessories

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Choose the right footwear. When investing in the '50s style, do not forget about your feet. Nothing will throw off your look more than modern shoes with '50s era clothing. You can find shoes at a local vintage store, but many shoe stores sell shoes that resemble shoes popular in the '50s.
- Loafers were a staple in the '50s, so make sure to have a few pairs in your wardrobe. Loafers are great because they can be worn at a variety of occasions.^{[4]
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- High heels, stilettos, and feminine flats were also popular in the '50s.^{[5]
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2
Wear hats. Hats were big in the '50s. Add a cute hat to your outfit that matches your clothing to solidify the '50s look. A wide variety of types of hats were popular, so feel free to invest in hats of many shapes, sizes, and colors.^{[6]
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- Knitted hats and pillbox hats were particularly popular in the mid-50s.
3
Try gloves. Many women wore gloves to formal occasions in the '50s. Gloves were worn in many colors and usually reached the elbow. Cotton or leather gloves can be a great addition to a 1950s outfit.^{[7]
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Throw on a pair of spectacles. Even if you don't need glasses, stop by a costume shop and pick up a novelty pair of glasses. In the 1950s, glasses were a popular accessory that many men and women wore. Glasses often had large wings at the corner. A small pair of spectacles with wings can make you look like you're from the '50s.^{[8]
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Wear a leather jacket. Leather jackets were a popular accessory in the '50s. Stop by a local thrift or clothing store and pick up a leather jacket if you want to achieve the right look. You can wear a leather jacket over your regular clothing. Choose a black leather jacket if possible, as this was the style of the time.^{[9]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Doing Your Hair and Makeup

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Wear various shades of red lipsticks and pale, pink blush. Makeup was big in the '50s, and shades like blue reds were very in. If you want your makeup to resemble someone from the '50s, go for a brick red lipstick that is more on the matte side. You should also add a touch of bright blush to your cheeks, making yourself look slightly flushed.^{[10]
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Paint your nails. Painted nails were big in the '50s. Colors such as pale pink and peach were popular in the early '50s. In the later '50s, after 1955, the popular color was red.^{[11]
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- If it's within your budget, try springing for a manicure. You can tell the nail artist you want '50s style nails.
3
Style your hair in a bob. The bob was the major look of the 1950s. Stop by a salon and get your hair trimmed into a short, stylish bob to encapsulate the look of the '50s.^{[12]
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- Hair could either be capped or curled outward slightly. Capped-styled bobs had all the hair pointing inward towards the head. Curled hair had wavy curls pointed away from the head.
- If you don't want to cut your hair short, pull your hair into a loosely-rolled bun near the nape of your neck. This style was called the "chignon" and was popular at the time.
4
Opt for shorter, more conservative hair. The '50s were a more conservative time, so men's hair was generally shorter and more conservative. Go for a classic short hairstyle with a somewhat conservative flare.
- You can wear your hair in a side part, a combover, or slick it back.
- If you're unsure what style would work for you, talk to your stylist. They can recommend a look for you based on 1950s hair.

Community Q&A

Question

Did women ever have their hair down in the 1950s?

Community Answer

Yes, but usually in Marilyn Monroe-style curls. If you have especially long hair, you might try wearing a high ponytail.
Question

What kind of shirts or blues did women used to wear back in the 50s?

Community Answer

Women mainly wore circle dresses or sheath dresses. If they wore shirts, they wore circle and poodle skirts with white, pastel, or striped button down blouses with collars. The shirts always fit snug and were always tucked in.
Question

How do I get a look like Marilyn Monroe or Jayne Mansfield?

Community Answer

Go for a short bob style of hair and use hot rollers. A plump red lip and bold eyes with eye shadow that complements your eye color will make your eyes appear bolder. Contour your cheek bones.