Following the Second World War, menswear experienced a dramatic shift in the 1950s. The decade saw the rise of casualwear, a surge in color, and the influence of Hollywood icons on 1950s men’s style. From hats and hairstyles to suits and shoes, this guide explores the key elements of 1950s fashion for men.
Hats enjoyed a resurgence in the 1950s. Fedora hats remained popular, but men also embraced boaters, Panama hats, and straw hats for summer. Flat caps offered a more casual option. A defining feature of 1950s hats was the increased use of color, with men sporting hats in various hues and featuring decorative hatbands.
Hairstyles in the 1950s were characterized by volume and complexity. Pomade was used to achieve popular styles like the pompadour, the jelly roll, and the slick-back. While most men were clean-shaven, James Dean popularized a more rugged look with stubble.
Sunglasses became a symbol of style and wealth, influenced by Hollywood stars. Thick-rimmed plastic frames and browline glasses were popular eyewear choices for men. Browline glasses were available in a variety of colors, including black, blue, orange, and tortoiseshell.
Waistcoats, while less essential for business suits, were still a fashion statement. Young men often wore contrasting waistcoats in different colors and materials, such as knit or wool doeskin. Lapels, pocket styles, and the presence of a waistcoat itself became a matter of personal preference.
Shirt collars were predominantly attached, with detachable collars reserved for formal occasions. The club collar with rounded corners saw a revival. Softer collars were often buttoned down, secured with a tab, or adorned with a collar clip or pin. Shirt colors transitioned from bold to pastel shades as the decade progressed.
The rise of casualwear was a significant trend in 1950s men’s fashion. Marlon Brando’s iconic undershirt look in “A Streetcar Named Desire” helped popularize the T-shirt. Casual shirts featured stripes, checks, geometric patterns, and even corduroy. The gaucho shirt, a pullover style with an open collar, also gained popularity.
Neckties remained a staple, with wider ties for spread collars and slimmer ties for narrower collars. Bold colors, abstract patterns, and geometric designs were common. Bow ties evolved from wider styles to slimmer, longer shapes by the mid-1950s, and embraced a wider range of colors and patterns. Clip-on ties and bow ties gained popularity for their convenience.
Suits in the early 1950s were typically American sack suits, characterized by a straight cut, minimal shoulder padding, and a lower buttoning point. Gray was the most popular suit color. Later in the decade, the continental or Roman-style suit emerged, featuring a narrower silhouette, darts, and side vents.
Leisure jackets and sport coats gained traction for casual occasions. Cardigans, jumpers, and sweaters in bright colors were popular for home wear. Sport coats, often featuring patch pockets and bolder patterns, were favored for non-work events.
Trousers were generally wider than modern styles, often featuring pleats and cuffs. Shorts, frequently pleated and in bold patterns, were also worn, often with over-the-calf socks in Bermuda style. Shoes included Oxfords, brogues, saddle shoes, and the short-lived winklepickers. Chukka boots and blue suede shoes, popularized by Elvis, also made their mark.
Overcoats were typically single or double-breasted, cut wide and from heavy fabrics for warmth. Popular styles included the Ulster and the Paletot. Accessories such as woven leather belts with unique buckles, scarves, gloves, socks, and pocket squares allowed for personal expression through color and pattern. The 1950s marked a significant shift in menswear, embracing casual style, vibrant colors, and individual expression.
