The 1950s were a time when the sounds of rock ‘n’ roll reverberated through the air and the glimmer of rebellion danced in young people’s eyes. It was an era that waved farewell to wartime austerity and embraced a blossoming of color, comfort, and new casualness in menswear. So, let’s don our penny loafers and take a walk down memory lane as we explore the sartorial splendor of the 1950s, an epoch when men’s fashion took a bold turn for the beautiful.
Hats off to the 1950s-decade myth! Contrary to predictions that hats would go out of style, the wearing of hats even increased during this period. With the end of wartime uniforms, men could once again express themselves through fashion. The fedora remained the most popular style, but summer brought along such light and airy options as straw boaters and Panama hats. For sporty or casual occasions, flat caps were used-unobtrusively bulky. And then came color: a riotous explosion. Men’s hat choices ranged in an unlimited number of colors, with hat bands being added. Bird feathers or special pleating made it possible for even small details to reflect personal style.
As we go further into the world of waistcoats, it becomes obvious that the ’50s formed a turning point in the function of this garment within men’s clothing. The waistcoat, which had previously been an integral part of the business suit, became an eye-catching piece for those interested in fashion. The young male largely embraced the contrasting vest and played with many fabrics and colors. Although the three-piece suit with a matching vest was not very popular, those who did wear waistcoats made sure they were different by wearing unique features such as lapels or different styles of pockets.
Shirts and collars also evolved during the 1950s. The decade saw a shift from detached to attached collars, except for very formal occasions. There was a revival of the club collar, and the spearpoint remained popular. Shirt colors were initially bright but mellowed into pastels as the decade wore on, thereby giving neckties an opportunity to stand out with their brighter colors. The barrel cuff became prevalent, and with waistcoats disappearing from fashion, chest pockets on shirts became both practical and aesthetic embellishments.
The 1950s were not just about the formalities of fashion but also marked the beginning of a casual clothing revolution. With fabric prices dropping, men had the luxury of expanding their wardrobes beyond the confines of dress shirts. T-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, and knit shirts in a variety of patterns and colors became the new casual staples. Marlon Brando’s famous T-shirt wearing in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ produced a tide that continues to this day. Another popular option was the gaucho shirt, an effortlessly open-collared, pullover style that aptly recalled the decade’s penchant for easygoing aesthetics.
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What Men REALLY Wore in the 1950s
Childhood Memories of growing up in the 1950s and 1960s.
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