The men’s fashion trends of the 1950s were a complicated web of patterns, trends, and cultural influences. It was a mix of nostalgic post-war fashion, rock ’n’ roll defiance, movie star ease, and music hero bravado.
During this time, there were iconic looks, fashion changes, and styles that still have an effect on fashion today. The fashion change is more than just an interesting piece of history. It shows how fashion can reflect the mood of the time, make us question society norms, and help us find our own identities.
Remember that this isn’t just a trip down memory lane, but a journey into a crucial time in fashion and culture as we look at the rich and colourful fabric of “1950s men’s fashion.”
You can learn a lot from this look at a time period that still affects men’s fashion, whether you’re into fashion, history, or just old styles.
Read also: Men’s Fashion in the 1940s: The Timeless Style
50’s mens fashion trends A Approach Changing
Since the end of the Second World War, men’s clothes have become more casual and simple. It was the start of sports coats, casual shirts and the famous leather jacket with a white T-shirt look that came from old movies.
Rock ’n’ roll music, greased-back hair, pants, and leather coats were signs of protest for young people. The Beat Generation, led by Jack Kerouac, also came up with their own style at the same time. For a smarter and more free-spirited look, they liked turtlenecks, berets, and suits that fit close to the body.
These different ways to dress challenged the norms and changed the way people dressed.
Suits
Suits from the 1950s had a strong shape with straight lines. The straight sillouete got tighter and smaller over the course of the decade, which made shoulder pads that made a V-shaped chest less popular.
People still liked double-breasted suits, but single-breasted coats with wider lapels and larger tips were becoming more popular.The Roman-style suit that Brioni asked for made its appearance. The main thing that made it modern was that it had side vents (one on each hip) instead of the American sack suit’s single back vent.
Fabrics were very important. For example, polyester became famous in men’s fashion in the 1950s, even though it was invented in the 1940s. Wool, plaid, and ultra-luxurious mohair, on the other hand, stayed popular because they were durable and stylish. The colour scheme was mostly dark, blue, and brown, but by the end of the decade, brighter colours and patterns were being used.
Shirts
Shirts made of cotton or linen from the early 1950s have bold designs and bright colours. Some say that men wore soft colours in the 1950s so they could wear bigger ties. For both business and relaxed events, the shorter point collar, the spread collar, and the club collar (with its rounded ends) were the most common styles. Back in the 1920s, collars that could be taken off were popular. But by the 1950s, men preferred collars that were linked for comfort and ease of use.
The polo shirt and the Cuban collar shirt were two casual shirt styles for men that came out in the 1950s. They showed a desire for comfort and ease.
The basic t-shirt was made popular by Hollywood stars like Marlon Brando in 1951’s “A Streetcar Named Desire.” It stayed in style throughout the decade and is still popular today.
Read also: Roaring Twenties Men’s Fashion: Bringing Back 1920s Style
Pants
Following the poorer cut of previous decades, 1950s trousers stressed comfort and movement. Both jeans and trousers had bottom cuffs, which were trendy at the period. The cuff was 2–4 inches, depending on height and fitting.
Men’s 1950s fashion favoured high-waisted, single- or double-pleated pants for a longer silhouette. Bermuda or knee-length shorts, cut like dress trousers or suit trousers, were also fashionable, with stronger colours and plaid patterns.
Inspired by Hollywood and the music industry, denim jeans became a popular casual wear option, especially among young people. Preppy fashion also popularised chinos and khakis for informal and semi-formal situations as a lighter, more adaptable alternative to wool pants.
