The 1950s Mens Fashion was a revolution in the world. It marked a phenomenal change from the previous conservative clothing designs to the more customized and elegant designs. Meanwhile, there was an atmosphere of rebellion in the decade, especially among young people. It was the period of the emergence of classic clothes and styles that are still applicable nowadays.
The style of the 1950s male fashions was presented with sharp suits and casual jeans to reflect the evolving social and cultural environment. It was the ten years that Hollywood personalities were the key movers and shakers, and men wearing clothing casually became a mainstream trend. We would like to focus our attention on the peculiarities of the stylistic elements of the epoch.
The Rise of Tailored Suits
The suit turned out to be the staple of 1950s men fashion. The 1950s experienced a change in the fits with sharp tailored suits coming up in contrast to the looser and more relaxed fittings of the past decades. These suits were indicated as structured, narrow lapels and longer jackets that extended to mid-thighs. It looked very high-end and classy.
This period saw the wearing of suits which were mostly of wool or tweed and both long-lasting and fashionable. The trendy colors were black, navy and charcoal that made a professional outlook. The suit jacket usually combined with a white shirt and a vivid tie, completes the traditional sharp look.
Casual Wear: Coming up with Comfort in a Style.
Although the suit itself remained the best choice in terms of formalism, the 1950s were also a period when the more casual attitude to everyday outfits emerged. Casual wear items such as polo shirts, chinos and leather jackets became the trend. Men wanted comfortable but stylish substitutes for the formal clothes of the previous decades which were stiff and inappropriate.
The use of leather jackets was a must in the youth rebellious culture, commonly found in Hollywood celebrities such as Marlon Brando. These jackets and two well-cut jeans made a relaxed but trendy appearance which was very different from the formalism of the suits. The informal style of the 1950s characterized the attitude of a generation towards ordinary fashion. Similarly, the 90s fashion also embraced the leather jacket as a symbol of cool, casual rebellion, bridging the gap between past and modern youth culture.
The Effect of Hollywood on 1950s Mens Fashion
The 1950s were the decade as well when Hollywood shaped the fashion of men to even greater levels. Movie stars such as James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Cary Grant were fashion idols, and their screen images directly influenced the dressing style of men. The informal edgy charm of James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause developed into a figure of young protest.
Cary Grant, however, was the best example of finely tailored clothes and his trim suits made the cutthroat of the tailoring trade. His critical, fashionable appearance, frequently finished off with a tie and a pocket square, prefigured the serious men of the society who desired to look elegant and well-polished in their day-to-day lives.
Denim and T-Shirts: A New Casual.
The 1950s were the turning point in the history of men casual wear. Before this decade, jeans were the preserve of workers or the working class. Nonetheless, denim gained prominence as a fashionable dressing among young men in the 1950s and this marked the beginning of the youth culture that would be featured in the 1960s.
The combination of jeans and a plain t-shirt became the ideology of casual style. The simple white t-shirt that was normally worn with a pair of well-fitted jeans made it to the wardrobe list of the young adults and teens. Such an image served as the embodiment of freedom, youthfulness, and personality, which were the primary features of the youth culture of the 1950s.
Leather Rebel Style and Leather Jackets.
The leather jacket was one of the fashion products that emerged in the 1950s and turned out to be very popular. The leather jacket was commonly associated with the rebellious image of such an individual as Marlon Brando in The Wild One and it turned to be a symbol of rebellion and independence. It was not only worn because of its convenience but also because it was a kind of non-conformity statement.
The leather jacket was to go with denim pants, a t-shirt and boots completing the bad-boy impression that also characterized the defiant youth of the time. Although this style was initially used by rock and roll celebrities and movie stars, it later became a mainstream style that has impacted the generations of men who will follow.
Hair and Beauty: Slick and Clean.
The hairstyles of the 1950s were smooth and well-kept and that was in line with the general cleanliness of the times. Pompadour was probably the most popular hair of the period popularized by Elvis Presley. To replicate the high-volume, slicked-back hairstyle which was a 1950s fashion icon, men sprayed their hair with pomade or gel.
Another trendy hairstyle was the Ivy League cut which had short sides and a long top that was well-placed back. Professionals and students alike were keen on this neat appearance. Hair styles of the 1950s were more about precision and control which went in line with slick tailored clothes that dominated the scene.
Accessories: The Finishing Touch.
Accessories were also a major part of 1950s Mens Fashion, where minor details uplifted an outfit. The pocket squares, cufflinks and ties became part of the dressing code of a gentleman. The accessories would give the men the chance to make themselves unique without losing the sophistication and formality.
Another accessory that was used in this era was watches. Smooth, simple wrist watches were common among men and made them look elegant in general. The watches of the 1950s not only fulfilled their purpose, but were also a status symbol and a sign of prestige as many men wore timepieces of high quality as part of their daily wear.
The Fashionability of the Polo Shirt.
The other notable aspect of the 1950s men fashion was the emergence of the polo shirt. The polo shirt was initially used by tennis players but it became casual wear among men in the 1950s. It even felt smoother than a t-shirt and at the same time was comfortable and easy to wear and that is why it can be worn on a daily basis.
Polo shirts frequently combined with chinos or lightweight trousers came to represent a radiant casualness. It was useful enough to be used on a casual and semi-formal basis. The plain and fashionable design of the polo shirt made it popular and it is a must-have piece of clothing in the wardrobe nowadays.
The Effects of the 1950s on Contemporary Fashion.
Most of the trends in modern men fashion trace their way back to the 1950s. From the customized suits to the leather jackets, most aspects of the 1950s culture can still be seen in the way of dressing among men. The 1950s provided an everlasting impression whether it was the rediscovery of the slim-fitting suit or the popularity of denim.
Modern style leans towards the wearable, clean line and the sophisticated tailoring that was done in the 1950s and embraces the casual, inoffensive fashions which were manufactured in the second half of the decade. The mixture of formal and casual looks remains one of the obligatory aspects of contemporary men clothing which proves the fact that the style of the 1950s men is as relevant today as it was in the 50s.
FAQ’s
What were the major aspects of men fashion in the 1950s?
Custom-made suits, leather jackets, jeans, t-shirts, and polo shirts were the most significant elements of the male fashion in the 50s. Pocket squares, cufflinks and watches were also accessories that were in demand.
What was the impact of Hollywood on the fashion of the 1950s men?
Using their appearance to appeal to men through the fads that the stars wore in Hollywood, James Dean and Cary Grant made a splash in the male way of dressing, both with their leather jacket rebellion style and the high-end suit.
What was the most representative hairstyle of the 1950s?
The most legendary hairstyle of the 1950s was the pompadour which had become popularised by Elvis Presley. It was described as being voluminous and had a geled back appearance.
Was it the 50s fashion that impacted the clothing of modern men?
Indeed the 1950s style of men survives today with tailored suits, denim and casual attire including polo shirts making a reappearance.
What were the trends in casual wear in the 1950s?
Another casual clothing emerged in the 1950s and consisted of polo shirts and jackets made of leather. The works had turned into the mainstream and represented a more casual but modern way of thinking about clothes worn on a daily basis.
Conclusion
The 1950s Mens Fashion was characterized by the ideal mix of sophistication and insubordination. It was the period when suits were crisp, and casual styles were casual, but both were stylish and up to date. Whether it was custom suits or leather jackets and jeans, the 1950s became the basis of several of the current trends in fashion.
The 1950s are still a part of the modern-day way of dressing among men with most of its major features still in use. You can be wearing a sharp suit, a leather jacket, but the 1950s left an everlasting impression on the fashion of men that will never be washed.