1950s Fashion For Men was a transformative period, marked by a departure from the austerity of the war years and an embrace of newfound prosperity. At mens-fashion.net, we delve into the iconic styles, exploring everything from the resurgence of hats to the rise of casual wear, offering a comprehensive guide to this influential era. Discover how Hollywood icons and a burgeoning youth culture shaped the sartorial landscape of the decade, influencing men’s fashion choices and setting the stage for modern menswear trends.
1. The Resurgence of Hats
Did men wear hats in the 1950s? Yes, hats experienced a revival, becoming a key accessory for men. After the war, men could embrace dressing up again, choosing styles they liked rather than adhering to strict uniforms.
Some gentlemen continued to wear the classic fedora, while others sported boaters, Panama hats, or other straw hats during the summer. Flat caps were popular for sports or casual looks, featuring a more streamlined design than earlier models. Color became a significant element, with hats available in various hues, and hatbands were upgraded with bird feathers, pleats, and other creative details. According to fashion historians at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), the hat’s resurgence reflected a desire for personal expression and a return to classic elegance after years of wartime constraints.
2. Iconic Hairstyles and Facial Hair Trends
What were the popular hairstyles for men in the 1950s? Hair was a focal point, with styles generally larger and more elaborate than in previous decades. Men used pomades like Murray’s or Sweet Georgia Brown to achieve these looks, often carrying a comb for touch-ups.
Popular hairstyles included the pompadour, jelly roll (duck’s arse), and slick-back. The pompadour, brushed backward and high above the forehead, was popularized by Elvis Presley. The jelly roll involved curling hair along the sides to a point in the front, famously sported by the Teddy Boys in Britain. The slick-back, often seen on men like Cary Grant, featured a side part and slightly longer sides. Most men were clean-shaven, valuing a youthful and masculine appearance, although older men sometimes wore beards or mustaches. James Dean popularized a rougher, less-shaven look with stubble, a novelty at the time. According to GQ Magazine, these hairstyles reflected a desire for individuality and a move away from the more uniform styles of the previous decades.
3. Stylish Eyewear: Glasses and Sunglasses
How did sunglasses become a symbol of wealth in the 1950s? Sunglasses became a symbol of wealth and style, thanks to movie stars. While serving a practical purpose, they were more about glamour and representing success.
The sunny climate of California aided Hollywood in outdoor movie shoots, increasing sunglasses’ popularity. For women, cat-eye styles, popularized by Audrey Hepburn, were famous, while men favored thick-rimmed plastic frames inspired by actors like Buddy Holly and Phil Silvers. Browline glasses were also popular in various colors, including black, blue, orange, imitation tortoiseshell, and clear frames. According to Esquire Magazine, the rise of sunglasses reflected a shift towards a more image-conscious society, where accessories played a significant role in defining personal style and status.
4. Waistcoats (Vests): A Fashion Choice
Were waistcoats still essential in the 1950s? No, the waistcoat was no longer essential as part of a business suit. Some men skipped it altogether.
Young, aspiring men often wore contrasting vests, such as knit vests in different colors or wool doeskin vests. Some waistcoats had lapels, while others did not, and pockets varied in number. Wearing a waistcoat became a fashion choice rather than a necessity. A few men continued wearing three-piece suits with matching vests, but this was less common. The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) notes that waistcoats evolved from a functional garment to a stylistic statement, reflecting a broader trend of individual expression in menswear.
5. Shirts and Collars: Evolving Styles
What styles of shirt collars were trending in the 1950s? Shirt collars were now firmly attached to the shirt, unlike earlier decades. Detachable collars were rare, mainly reserved for special evening functions.
The club collar with rounded corners saw a revival, while spearpoint collars and shorter-point collars remained. Softer collars were often buttoned down, tabbed, or worn with a collar clip or pin. Shirt colors began bold but became more pastel as the decade progressed, allowing colorful ties to shine. While some men still wore cufflinks, the barrel cuff became popular, and shirts often featured a chest pocket on the left side. The option to wear a suit without a tie or bow tie became acceptable, with shirts left unbuttoned or featuring a camp collar. James Dean popularized a more casual style, unbuttoning his shirt further down. According to menswear historians, the evolution of shirt styles in the 1950s reflected a growing acceptance of more relaxed and informal dressing, paving the way for future casual trends.
Casual Clothing: The Rise of Comfort
How did casual clothing change men’s fashion in the 1950s? The 1950s marked the rise of casual clothing, with men afforded more clothes due to lower fabric prices. This meant they could own Hawaiian shirts and T-shirts, broadening their approach to clothing.
The T-shirt craze began in 1951 with Marlon Brando in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” famously wearing his undershirt alone. Casual shirts featured stripes, colorful checks, and geometric patterns. Corduroy in fine wales was also popular, as were knit shirts for colder months. The gaucho shirt, a pullover with an open collar fastened with a zip or button and loop, was another popular style. Depending on the occasion, men could wear their camp collar shirts untucked, often with a straight hem and side pockets, as seen in pajamas. According to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), the surge in casual clothing options transformed menswear, allowing for more self-expression and comfort in everyday wear.
6. Neckties and Bow Ties: Patterns and Styles
What were the popular patterns for men’s ties in the 1950s? Ties remained popular, even at work, though some men opted to go without them. Wider ties (3.5 inches) were paired with wider spread collars, while slimmer ties (2 inches) suited narrower collars. Most ties were tipped, and patterns varied widely.
Abstract, fantastical, and geometric patterns in bold colors were popular. Materials ranged from rayon and polyester to silk, wool, and cotton. Knit ties were also worn. Towards the late 1950s, ties toned down with less extreme patterns and colors. Bow ties evolved from bigger and wider at the decade’s start to slimmer and longer by the mid-1950s. Colors expanded to include pastel tones and patterns in chartreuse and ochre. Clip-on or tuck-on bow ties became popular for convenience. As noted by fashion historians, the bold patterns and colors of 1950s ties reflected a broader cultural shift towards optimism and exuberance in the post-war era.
Bow Ties: A Touch of Elegance
Did men still wear bow ties in the 1950s? Yes, bow ties were still worn, evolving from bigger and wider at the beginning of the decade to slimmer and longer by the mid-1950s.
The color range expanded to include pastel tones and patterns in colors like chartreuse and ochre. Clip-on or tuck-on bow ties became popular for convenience, although self-tie bow ties remained standard. The Gentleman’s Gazette provides an easy step-by-step guide on tying a bow tie for those who want to avoid pre-tied options.
7. Suits, Sport Coats, and Leisure Jackets: Formal to Casual
What styles of suits were popular in the 1950s? Early in the decade, the American sack suit was common: no front darts, straight cut, baggier, with a center vent and narrower lapels. Shoulder padding was reduced, and the buttoning point was lower.
Suits were conservative, often gray with a white shirt. Fabrics included wool, flannel, and mohair. Double-breasted jackets were present but less popular than single-breasted ones, both with low buttoning points. The late 1950s saw the emergence of the “continental style” or Roman-style suit by Brioni, featuring a narrower cut with darts, a shorter length, side vents, and jetted pockets. Leisure jackets became popular at home, such as cardigans or sweaters in bright colors, and sport coats with patch pockets were worn for non-work functions. According to research from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), the evolution of suit styles in the 1950s mirrored a broader shift from strict formality to more relaxed and individualized dressing, influenced by both American and European trends.
Leisure Jackets and Sport Coats: Comfort and Style
How did men transition from formal suits to more casual wear in the 1950s? Leisure jackets and sport coats played a significant role in transitioning from formal to casual wear.
Men wore cardigans or other styles of sweaters when at home. For non-work functions, sport coats with casual features such as patch pockets in bolder colors, tartans, or plaids became popular. Most sport coats had patch pockets and a two-button style.
8. Youth Culture: Jocks, Greasers, and Teddy Boys
What were the defining characteristics of the jock subculture in the 1950s? The jock was a typical cool kid in high school, part of the sports team, and wore a varsity jacket: a wool torso with leather sleeves, embroidered with sports or school logos.
Greasers: Rebellion in Style
How did the greaser subculture influence fashion in the 1950s? Greasers were rebellious men who wore big hairstyles, leather motorcycle jackets, white T-shirts, and jeans, rejecting the quiet 1950s life.
The style was popularized by movies like “The Wild One,” “On The Waterfront,” and “Rebel Without A Cause.” James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Elvis Presley were icons of this style. Greasers wore Converse shoes (gym shoes now acceptable in casual wear) or leather biker boots.
Teddy Boys: A British Rebellion
What was the Teddy Boy style in 1950s Britain? Teddy Boys took on a pseudo-Edwardian style with big jelly-rolled hair, called the “duck’s arse.” They wore interpretations of frock coats or drape jackets, sometimes trimmed with velvet, paired with a waistcoat, watch chain, bow tie or bolo tie, and brothel creeper shoes.
Creepers were casual shoes with a suede or smooth leather upper and a thick crepe sole. According to research from the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Teddy Boy style represented a unique fusion of Edwardian elegance and working-class rebellion, setting a distinctive trend in 1950s British youth culture.
9. Trousers and Shorts: Cuts and Patterns
What styles of trousers were common in the 1950s? Trousers were cut wider than today, with an average hem width of about nine and a half inches.
Many trousers still featured two pleats, but flat-front pants were also available. Some trousers were uncuffed, but cuffs were common, typically two and a half inches tall. Sporting trousers sometimes featured a cinch belt in the back. Men also wore shorts, often pleated and cut like dress trousers, with bolder patterns like plaids, tartans, and checks. Influenced by “Bermuda style,” men wore them with over-the-calf socks. The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) notes that the variety in trouser and short styles reflected a move towards more personalized and expressive menswear, accommodating different tastes and occasions.
10. Shoes: Formal and Casual Styles
What types of shoes were popular for men in the 1950s? Typical Oxfords and brogues in black and brown remained popular. White or off-white shoes and saddle shoes were also common.
The “winklepicker,” a pointed shoe, was a short-lived fad. Chukka boots, still popular today, gained prominence in the 1950s. Color was significant, with Elvis popularizing blue suede shoes. Leather slippers also became popular for home wear. According to research from the Bata Shoe Museum, the diverse range of shoe styles in the 1950s mirrored a broader trend towards individual expression and the blurring of lines between formal and casual footwear.
11. Overcoats: Style and Functionality
What were the common styles and colors of overcoats in the 1950s? Overcoats were often single-breasted or double-breasted, cut wider and baggier from heavier cloth for a nice drape.
Colors were brown, gray, or black, with fabrics having a larger color depth by adding multiple colors into the weave. Double-breasted overcoats with big patch pockets were common, as were Ulster and Paletot overcoats.
12. Accessories: Belts, Scarves, and More
What accessories defined men’s fashion in the 1950s? Belts were more popular than suspenders. Woven leather belts in interesting colors and unique belt buckles were a way for men to express their individuality.
Wearing a scarf (muffler) was common, as were leather dress gloves in bolder colors. Socks and pocket squares were also bolder than in previous decades.
FAQ: 1950s Men’s Fashion
- What was the overall style of men’s fashion in the 1950s? The 1950s marked a return to color and casual styles, influenced by Hollywood and a booming consumer culture.
- What were the key items of clothing for men in the 1950s? Key items included hats, pomade-styled hair, sunglasses, suits (sack and continental styles), sport coats, casual shirts, and a variety of ties.
- How did youth culture influence men’s fashion in the 1950s? Youth subcultures like jocks, greasers, and Teddy Boys each had distinct styles that influenced mainstream fashion trends.
- What types of shoes were popular for men in the 1950s? Popular shoes included Oxfords, brogues, saddle shoes, winklepicker shoes, and chukka boots.
- Were suits still worn in the 1950s? Yes, suits were still worn, but the styles evolved from the baggier sack suit to the more tailored continental style.
- How did accessories contribute to men’s style in the 1950s? Accessories like belts, scarves, gloves, socks, and pocket squares were used to add individuality and color to outfits.
- What role did Hollywood play in shaping men’s fashion in the 1950s? Hollywood stars significantly influenced men’s fashion, popularizing styles like sunglasses and casual wear.
- What fabrics were commonly used in men’s clothing in the 1950s? Common fabrics included wool, flannel, mohair, rayon, polyester, silk, and cotton.
- How did casual wear become more prevalent in the 1950s? Lower fabric prices and the influence of celebrities like Marlon Brando led to the rise of casual wear, including T-shirts and casual shirts.
- What were the popular hairstyles for men in the 1950s? Popular hairstyles included the pompadour, jelly roll (duck’s arse), and slick-back, often achieved with pomade.
Conclusion: A Transformative Decade
The 1950s were a transformative decade for men’s fashion, bringing color, casual styles, and a new sense of individuality. From the resurgence of hats to the rise of youth subcultures, the era left a lasting impact on menswear.
Explore more about 1950s fashion and discover how to incorporate vintage-inspired styles into your modern wardrobe at mens-fashion.net. Stay ahead of the latest trends and find the perfect pieces to express your unique style. Visit us at 227 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001, United States, or call us at +1 (212) 217-5800 for personalized fashion advice.
