We’ve been there and done that, too, just as much as we adore the fashion trends of the 1990s and shortly aughts. It’s time to adopt some of the more enhanced styles from decades earlier, starting with ’50s style. Out of all the ages, there’s a reason garments from the 1950s have remained important. For example, Andie Sobrato, a specific stylist, believes it may be because the era embodied glamor. “Women embraced femininity and dressed up for the most casual of occasions]during the 1950s”, Sobrato tells InStyle.
Plus, Sobrato believes that despite the fact that this era of women’s fashion was rooted in gentle knits, the clothes are also amazing and powerful in a way that contemporary women can understand and embrace in their own wardrobes. Trends like Pearlcore and Light Academic, for example, show how the homage visual has been reimagined nowadays. Before heading off, stylists offer their best advice on how to use 1950s fashion in fresh and innovative ways.
Reach for Fit and Flare
A well-known 1950s silhouette with fit and burst leans conservative but not unduly so. The fit is nearly universally flattering, which is why we can’t seem to get enough. Use it as a skirt or dress coat for a touch of flair, complete with a neck scarf.
Fashion designer Rachel Garrett, chairman of Edify (an online destination for social and ecological clothing, equipment, and living) anticipates that the modern roll on ’50s clothing will also involve a sustainable spin. “While the ’50s saw an emergence of new synthetic materials, these appearance may be updated with green and healthy fabrics—linen, fabrics, and natural materials”, she tells InStyle.
Maximize Feminine Information
According to Garret, top garments were popular in the ’50s because they offered people a “classic and clean search” that was —and still is—easy to use. When shopping for this common item, lean towards fabrics like cloth, a natural fibre that’s durable, comfortable, and flexible, along with upcycled components.
You’ll even want to be on the search for female information, such as switch- down closures and cloth belts, Garret adds. You’ll have about your entire costume pieced together in one piece in that manner. Finally, all you’ll have are “slides or espadrilles to keep it everyday, cowboy boots for more of a nation look, or sneakers for a head- turning on- the- get look”, says Garret.
Step Into Shorter Heels
You’ll want to invest in one or the other (or both) of the 1950s’ footwear trends, according to Hollywood costume designer and stylist Leesa Evans, so you should definitely choose one or the other (or both). “A kitten heel dresses up even the most casual of looks, like high- waisted jeans or a T- shirt and cardigan worn over your shoulders”, she tells InStyle. Oxfords, she adds, are best worn with trousers, complete with a frilly blouse or a boxy waist sweater.
Go Conservative, But Not Stiff
Your favorite mini skirts with Y2K influences are a far cry from the 1950s fashions worn by women. If you’re going retro today, swap out sexier cuts for a more conservative skirt length. However, these pieces don’t need to be stiff just because your hemline is longer.
Instead, fashion designer Lana Blanc claims that retro ball skirts were present on every runway with a reason. Full- skirted silhouettes have appeared at Erdem, Christian Siriano, Oscar de la Renta, and Carolina Herrera. The best part? You can pair the flouncy bottom with just about anything: heels or flats, depending on the occasion, as well as crop tops (for a modern spin), button- downs, turtlenecks, and T- shirts.
Choose Bold Colors
Go bold and stay matching. Color was a key focus of the 1950s fashion trends, according to renowned fashion stylist Jake Garcia. “The brighter the better”, he tells us, noting that now, more than ever, fashion houses like Christian Dior are increasing their production of printed pieces. The phrase “matchy- matchy” was first coined in the 1950s and is a recurring theme for outfits everywhere in fashion houses and their most recent collections.