Lucy Burroughs answered
In the 1950s, girls would have had different dresses for different occasions – here are a few of the most popular.
Everyday Wear
This varied from girl to girl - much as it does today! Some women favored cigarette pants, which were high-waisted, dark pants that finished just above the ankle. Others wore circle dresses - often halterneck - which were tight around the ribs and waist and then wide in the skirt.
If you spun around wearing one of these dresses, the material would fan out around you in a circle shape - maybe this is where the name comes from! Bright colors and prints were popular during the day.
The Cocktail Dress
This was typically a knee-length dress worn in the early evening. Halterneck and strapless dresses were very popular in the ‘50s, and were available in a variety of different colors and prints. Lace, chiffon, silk, satin, tulle and lace were all popular materials.
The Evening Dress
Evening dresses were only worn after 10pm, and were usually reserved for formal occasions. They were usually a lot longer than cocktail dresses, and tended to have lower, deeply-cut necklines. Evening dresses tended to be based on ballgowns, and would have usually been darker and more somber than the more playful cocktail dresses.
Accessories
Lipstick, necklaces and colored headbands were all very popular. Just as it does now, fashion would have changed a lot within ten years, so what was popular in 1950 might have been totally out of fashion by 1959!
Everyday Wear
This varied from girl to girl - much as it does today! Some women favored cigarette pants, which were high-waisted, dark pants that finished just above the ankle. Others wore circle dresses - often halterneck - which were tight around the ribs and waist and then wide in the skirt.
If you spun around wearing one of these dresses, the material would fan out around you in a circle shape - maybe this is where the name comes from! Bright colors and prints were popular during the day.
The Cocktail Dress
This was typically a knee-length dress worn in the early evening. Halterneck and strapless dresses were very popular in the ‘50s, and were available in a variety of different colors and prints. Lace, chiffon, silk, satin, tulle and lace were all popular materials.
The Evening Dress
Evening dresses were only worn after 10pm, and were usually reserved for formal occasions. They were usually a lot longer than cocktail dresses, and tended to have lower, deeply-cut necklines. Evening dresses tended to be based on ballgowns, and would have usually been darker and more somber than the more playful cocktail dresses.
Accessories
Lipstick, necklaces and colored headbands were all very popular. Just as it does now, fashion would have changed a lot within ten years, so what was popular in 1950 might have been totally out of fashion by 1959!
