1950s Fashion Trends
Instructions: How well do you remember the fashions that defined the fabulous fifties?
- 1.
What popular 1950s skirt style featured a wide, circular cut that flared out dramatically when twirling?
AWrap skirtBPoodle skirtCA-line skirtDPencil skirt - 2.
Which undergarment became essential in the 1950s to achieve the fashionable full-skirted silhouette?
AGirdleBCorsetCBustleDCrinoline petticoat - 3.
What type of collar was commonly seen on men's shirts in the 1950s, often worn with the points buttoned down?
AWing collarBMandarin collarCButton-down collarDBand collar - 4.
What style of women's shoes with a pointed toe and thin heel became wildly popular in the 1950s?
AMary JanesBStiletto heelsCWedge sandalsDPlatform shoes - 5.
Which type of men's jacket, inspired by Marlon Brando in 'The Wild One,' became a symbol of 1950s rebellion?
APeacoatBSport coatCBlack leather motorcycle jacketDVarsity jacket - 6.
What casual men's shirt style, featuring bold prints and a straight hem worn untucked, was popular in the 1950s?
APolo shirtBHenley shirtCHawaiian shirtDCamp shirt - 7.
What feminine accessory was considered essential for a properly dressed woman in the 1950s when going out?
ABeltBSunglassesCMatching gloves and hatDScarf - 8.
Which fabric became widely available in the 1950s and revolutionized fashion with its easy-care, wrinkle-free properties?
ALinenBRayonCSilkDPolyester - 9.
What style of men's pants, cut narrow at the ankle, was popular with the 'beatnik' crowd in the late 1950s?
ACargo pantsBJodhpursCStovepipe pantsDBell-bottoms - 10.
What type of sweater, worn backward with a decorative clasp at the back, was a 1950s fashion trend for women?
APulloverBTwin setCCardigan worn backwardDTurtleneck - 11.
What popular 1950s casual shoe for men featured soft leather and a distinctive hand-sewn front seam?
AOxford shoesBPenny loafersCBroguesDWingtips - 12.
Which designer is credited with creating the 'sack dress' in 1957, a loose-fitting shift that shocked the fashion world?
AChristian DiorBCristobal BalenciagaCPierre CardinDCoco Chanel - 13.
What type of trousers, ending just below the knee, became a popular casual choice for women in the 1950s?
ACulottesBCapri pantsCPalazzo pantsDHot pants - 14.
What men's hairstyle-related accessory was commonly sold alongside Brylcreem and other pomades in the 1950s?
AHairnetBBobby pinsCHair rollersDPocket comb - 15.
What coordinated women's knitwear ensemble, consisting of a matching pullover and cardigan, was a 1950s wardrobe staple?
AShrug and tankBTwin setCBolero and blouseDSweater dress
Answer Key
The poodle skirt, a wide swing skirt often decorated with an appliqued poodle, became an iconic symbol of 1950s teenage fashion and sock hop culture.
Crinoline petticoats, often made of stiffened nylon, were worn under full skirts to give them their signature volume and shape in the 1950s.
The button-down collar, popularized by Brooks Brothers, became a staple of 1950s menswear, especially for the Ivy League preppy look.
Stiletto heels, named after the Italian stiletto dagger, first appeared in the early 1950s and became a must-have fashion accessory for women.
The black leather motorcycle jacket became an icon of 1950s youth rebellion after Marlon Brando wore one in the 1953 film 'The Wild One.'
Hawaiian shirts (also called Aloha shirts) surged in popularity during the 1950s, especially after Hawaii became a tourist destination and a state in 1959.
In the 1950s, a well-dressed woman was expected to wear matching gloves and a hat when going out in public, whether shopping or attending church.
Polyester fabrics became widely available in the 1950s, marketed as miracle fabrics that were wrinkle-resistant, durable, and easy to care for.
Stovepipe pants, with their narrow, straight legs, were favored by the beatnik subculture of the late 1950s, often worn in black.
Wearing a cardigan sweater backward, fastened with a decorative clasp at the neckline in back, was a popular 1950s trend for teenage girls.
Penny loafers, with a leather strap across the front where teens slipped in a penny, were a staple of 1950s casual footwear for both men and women.
Cristobal Balenciaga introduced the revolutionary 'sack dress' in 1957, a loose chemise style that moved away from the cinched-waist silhouette.
Capri pants, also called pedal pushers when slightly longer, became fashionable in the 1950s, especially after Audrey Hepburn wore them in films.
Pocket combs were essential accessories for 1950s men, carried in shirt or back pockets to maintain their carefully groomed pompadour and DA hairstyles.
The twin set, a matching short-sleeved pullover sweater worn under a cardigan of the same color and fabric, was a quintessential 1950s ladylike look.