Q&A for How to Dress in the American 1950s Fashion

Some things that come to mind are nipped-in waists, full skirts, Peter Pan collars, fitted cardigans with pearl buttons, and saddle shoes.

Scarves were used in a versatile way, such as belts, to tie pony tails, and worn around the neck. Today, the most identifiable way of how scarves were worn in the '50s was on the head as a bandanna.

People have been wearing jewelry since prehistoric times. During the 50s, your typical casual jewelry would be minimalistic in nature. Pearls, tennis bracelets, stud earrings, small chain necklaces - with or without a small pendant. Depending on class, taste, and financial ability, there was quite a variety of jewelry styles.

Yes! In the 1950s, it was not uncommon for upper/middle class women to wear oxfords with rolled jeans.

Teens from the 1950s typically wore felt skirts with a poodle design (female) or a greaser style (male). Dresses for teen girls in the era were usually found wearing poodle skirts and a nice blouse or a similar to the one their mothers wore, and teen boys tended to dress like Danny from "Grease". You can achieve this look by including a (usually) white t-shirt, dark skinny jeans, a leather jacket, and black oxfords or converse (either will do) in your look.

Research 1940s fashion. You can wear dresses or skirts that fall below the knee, or wide-legged and high-waisted pants. You can wear any modern button-up shirt for a top.

Yes, the 1950's is too early for that. I'd recommend straightening (if your hair is corkscrew-style curly) and then pin-curling your hair, keeping it close but still elegant, elaborate and a wee bit pouffy.

It is likely they don't want to have to spend more money on your fashion preferences than what they already spend on your wardrobe. Perhaps try to alleviate their fear by explaining you'll pay for it from your own budget and learn to alter charity store clothes too. If it's not budget issues, ask them to explain what their concern is. This fashion is (mostly) modest, fun and sweet, what's not to like?

They were, but less frequently. Hoop earrings became more mainstream in Europe and North America in the 80s. In the 50s, smaller hoops were worn and drop earrings were the most popular hoop earrings at this time.

Lucille Ball's style evolved during the show. Early on, she wore knee-length dresses with fitted waists and belts, often accessorized with pearls. During her pregnancy on the show, she wore looser dresses, popular in the 60s, sometimes paired with a three-quarter sleeve jacket or a petticoat. By the end of the show, she frequently wore button-up blouses with wide pants. Her signature red hair was styled in a poodle cut throughout the series.

You would wear a shirt that isn't too fitted or too loose, paired with casual high-waisted jeans, a thin belt, and black dress shoes.

You can wear a dress like the examples listed above, or if dresses aren’t your thing, try a blouse with high-waisted pants paired with a thin belt and earrings. Alternatively, if you really want a knee-length skirt, take an old dress, cut it to the desired length, leaving an inch for hemming, and add a clasp or button near the cut to create a skirt. You can use the top half of the dress as a blouse or discard it.

In the 1950s, people often wore hats like pillbox hats for outings or special occasions. For housework or cleaning, they used headscarves to tie up their hair.

In the 1950s women typically wore thinner stockings similar to sheer pantyhose, often in skin tones, to give their legs a flawless appearance.

Yes, there are many online stores that offer historic fashion with a modern twist, allowing you to achieve the perfect look.