1950s Men’s Fashion | How to Perfect the Fifties Style

Sartorially, socially, and economically, the vivid fifties were a prime time to be alive. The decade succeeding the Second World War was celebratory, and clothing was a clear representation of this. The clothing of this era was clean-cut, traditional, and conservative. Icons like Elvis Presley, James Dean, and Marlon Brando paved the way for an aesthetic perpetually tattooed to our minds that reflected a playful era. In this article, we take you through what men wore in the fifties and how you can achieve the look in todays age.

50’s Men’s Fashion History

The Joyful Fifties: Historical Style Changes

Historically, the fifties were a time of celebration. The ending of World War 2 meant that morale was high, and clothing choices reflected such social changes. The quintessential All-American fifties flourished, prompted by the excitement that the war was over and the stronger sense of patriotism. Aestheticism was represented in fashion changes and household appliances, motor vehicles, and even children’s toys. This was a culture obsessed with visuals, and a sartorial celebration was how society enjoyed it.

Birth of Preparatory ‘Preppy’ Style

The fifties saw the emergence of a preppy aesthetic, playing off a youthful culture inspired by collegiate dress codes. One of the simplest ways to interpret this fifties trend is to incorporate preppy elements into your dress style. This is a subtle trend, as you don’t want your clothing to register as being too costume-like. Preppy daywear should be relaxed yet still respectful. Cricket sweaters, grandpa cardigans, and cable knits are great options. For corporate wear, use preppy prints and patterns to introduce the fifties look to your work attire. Stripes, vintage plaids, and classic ginghams will give you a playful throwback to this era. Color palettes are also pivotal when working with preppy styles. Wear navies, bright grass greens, and scarlet reds, and place importance on bright whites.

1950s Men’s Outfits

Oversized Fifties Shirts

The shape of men’s casual shirts differed slightly from the fitted looks we are accustomed to. Oversized, geometrical, and graphic fifties shirts were a relaxed way to interpret daywear. Remember, this era celebrated clothing and dressing – and wider freedoms with fabric reflected this sartorial shift to oversized casual day shirts. The polo shirt also played a part in casual wear and worked well for gentlemen who were avid sportsmen and wanted to look the part appropriately. But sporty influence didn’t just play a role in sportsmen’s sartorial choices – leisurewear was particularly capitalized on by gentlemen who wanted to interpret athletic wear into their personal style choices.

Double-Breasted Suits

Suits were undoubtedly a pivotal staple in this era, but the fifties also saw a move to the double-breasted suit, allowing men to switch up their usual dressy attire. The double-breasted blazer is currently enjoying a resurgence in street style, and it is a trend that is easy to adapt for different occasions and dress codes. When going for double-breasted blazers, ensure that the fit is perfect. You don’t want to look slouchy or ill-shaped, so look for a great fit and a good quality blazer that will stand the test of time in your wardrobe.

Bomber Jackets

While we see the revival of the bomber jacket, its prevalence in street style has assured us this trend will always be a failsafe staple piece. Navy and khaki are always winning colors for bomber jackets, but don’t be scared to experiment with brighter, bolder ones that will be attention-grabbing and highly visual. Colourful prints and bold visuals are encouraged on your bomber jackets, but ensure that you pair them with an outfit that is mellowed down with darker tones to anchor your aesthetic.

Leather Jackets

Marlon Brando’s iconic leather jacket in The Wild One is classic men’s style. Cool, classic, and the ultimate staple piece, leather jackets were popular in a decade that saw cinema wield massive influence over gentlemen. The key to electing great leather jackets is to ensure you are going for one that will stand the test of time. Shape and fit are also integral, and if you are struggling to decide on a staple leather jacket, look through photos of the fifties to find an authentic style that will work well with existing pieces in your wardrobe. There is one stipulation: black is the go-to.

Loafers

The humble loafer is reminiscent of the classic fifties style. Be it the penny, Gucci, or tasselled versions, loafers are easy to style and provide an appealing shoe choice for men to wear throughout the seasons. They are also super versatile and a dressier alternative to trainers, making for a more grown-up take on your footwear. Suede is highly adaptable and best for gents who wear loafers for different dress codes. Patent leather works well for dressed-up occasions and will lend a glossy element to a humble suit.

Fedora Hats

While fedora hats preceded the fifties, this era sustained the gentlemanly influence of this accessory. Prevalent in cinema and street style alike, fedora hats were famous for their ability to add a finishing touch to a great suit or daywear in general. Hats were also a sign of respect and etiquette, returning to the social climate of a fifties society. Our biggest tip when finding fedoras is to go for classic colors that can be reworked with different looks. Greys, navies, and khakis are appealing options and will stand the test of time in your wardrobe.

1950s Men’s Hairstyles

50s hairstyles are all about high shine and a lot of volume. Prompted by the iconic hairstyling of Elvis, the pompadour was a popular hairstyle of choice for gents of the fifties. This hairstyle works best with longer hair up top, which can be blow-dried and styled with a strong holding pomade for shape and hold alike.

Roger Grindstead

Fashion Designer / Writer

Roger Grinstead is a senior apparel designer for X2U with over 25 years of expertise in the fashion industry. He has expertise in menswear and womenswear trends and product development. When Roger is not designing the latest fashion garments, he enjoys writing about men's fashion, hairstyles, and grooming.