The Nifty Fifties (Fashion of the 50s)

Hello to all!  It is Isabel here posting on the 1950s.

I adore the 1950s with all my heart.  Honestly, it is one of my favorite time periods.  So many people seemed to dress impeccably and yet their taste was also modest.  Not only was it an incredible time for fashion, but Hollywood was also on the rise.
I love Hollywood so much and I think I would have loved it even more if I lived in the fifties.  Some of my favorite movies and television shows were even out then.  For example, I Love Lucy is a classic I will always have room in my heart for.

How can you not adore her hair here?  It is classic fifties.

This simple, yet delicate, white lace collar is beautiful with large diamond earrings.

I can not leave out Leave it to Beaver, another classic show that I enjoyed watching when I was younger and when it would rerun in the early evenings.

You can't say they don't look absolutely spiffy.

Some of the most enjoyable movies of all time were also released during this time!  Not only was Disney's Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Alice in Wonderland, and Cinderella released to the public, but other films such as Hitchcock's Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Dial M for Murder  along with others from Roman Holiday to Some Like it Hot and Sabrina.  Other films include The Seven Year Itch and To Catch a Thief.  Please observe some of their outfits in these well known films.  I have starred each actress's name that is wearing a classic 1950s ensemble:

Grace Kelly* and James Stewart.
Rear Window

Grace Kelly.*
Dial M for Murder

Audrey Hepburn.*
Roman Holiday

Doris Day* and James Stewart.
The Man Who Knew Too Much

Audrey Hepburn.*
Sabrina

Grace Kelly* and Cary Grant.
To Catch a ThiefT

Jane Russel* and Marilyn Monroe.*

Some Like it Hot

Marilyn Monroe.*
The Seven Year Itch

As you could gather from each starred starlet's name, a few stand out as huge fashion icons for the time.  Some of them include: Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn and Jane Russell.  A few more not included were Rita Hayworth and Elizabeth Taylor.  I have come up with a short descriptions on what they were known for in fashion.

Grace Kelly:  Princess Grace was known for her simple yet stunning style.  Her wedding gown was significant because of the intricate, beautiful, lace it was made out of.  It was also modest with a high collar and long sleeves.  Yet, as you can see, it's modesty did not take away from it's overall beauty.  The white dress she is wearing in the middle is so simple but also so breathtaking at the same time.  It's one sleeve adds a certain detail that draws in the eye.  From the right photo is a shot of her on the set of Rear Window, which she starred in with the classic James Stewart.  The black top of the dress contrasts with the full, white skirt.  Not only was Grace a beautiful Princess, but she made sure to wear clothes that were never inappropriate or obnoxious.  While she was Princess of Monaco, she was one of the Queens of Style.

                                                                      

Marilyn Monroe: While she will forever be known as a blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe was also so much more than that.  She often kept her colors muted, typically wearing whites or blacks.  Yet she always had a fun flare on things.  In the lower left, she wore a tulle skirt made in a simple white to contrast bright red lipstick.  In the lower right, she wore a silk, champagne colored dress, pairing it with white, elbow length gloves for that extra pizazz.  In the top photograph she is wearing all bright pink.  She even accessorizes with bangles and a large necklace.  While it is a bold statement, it suits her well.  Even today, if wearing a bold color, why not wear some fun jewelry to go with it?  Marilyn Monroe, or Norma Jean, will never be forgotten and neither will her taste in clothes.

Doris Day: Doris may be remembered for Que Sera, Sera, but I will always think of her as the one who wore pearls and a smile!  In the first and last photos here, Doris is wearing pearls and in the first and middle photos she has on red lipstick.  While those were some of her staple pieces, she also was never afraid to try on bold colors and experiment with textures.  She is seen with a lace collar in the first photograph, and a bright red, sleeveless  gown in the second!  I adore Doris Day and her impeccable taste in jewelry and choice of dress.

Audrey Hepburn: Mainly known for introducing the LBD and having classic doe eyes, Audrey Hepburn was a beauty and icon the world will always remember.  Black gloves and a little black dress will never fail, she taught me.  Also, I learned from her that a simple lace dress, when in the right cut, is actually a wardrobe essential.  In the middle photo, Audrey's white dress is very modest, but also pretty. Her giant hat and sunglasses in the last photo represent a look that is still widely worn today.  I will always look up to Miss Hepburn for being one of the greats, not only on screen and for her humanitarian work, but for her timeless style.

Jane Russell:  She starred alongside Monroe in The Seven Year Itch, and while she is not as widely known as Hepburn or Kelly, Jane Russell was the definition of fashion icon.  Her hair was always perfect and she always accessorized.  Whether it was earrings, rings, bracelets, or necklaces, Jane always knew what to add to each outfit.  She can even be seen wearing the little black dress, though her's has a different twist to it with tulle like sleeves.  She was not an average Hollywood star, because she also possessed a knack for style.

  

                                              

Rita Hayworth: I love how Rita could dress very casually or very fancy and always convey it nicely.  In the first photo she has on a dress with a slightly ruffled chest.  It is a very simple look, but also more dressed up.  She is also wearing a vertically striped shirt with a plain white collar.  This is, of course, a more casual look.  I highly doubt stripes will ever go out of style, so it is important to always have a basic striped blouse in your wardrobe.  Rita is also wearing a black dress, as well.  Black dresses are such essentials.  I can not stress this enough.  Without a black dress, a woman's wardrobe mine as well be labeled as "incomplete."  It sure is a good thing Rita knew the style essentials of the 50s (and now).

Elizabeth Taylor: With her deep blue, almost violet eyes, and jet black hair, Elizabeth Taylor was naturally stunning.  I strongly believe that no matter how pretty a person may be, their sense in clothes can never hurt, only help them.  Thank goodness Elizabeth Taylor knew that one of the best ways to dress yourself is to play up your own features.  Due to her dark hair and violet eyes, Elizabeth was able to wear bright reds and greens that were capable of showing off her eyes even further.  A simple champagne down with little detail led the eye more to her face, where a white fur shawl creates a holiday look.  So if you have bright eyes or dark hair, try wearing some bolder colors to really draw out your natural beauty even more!

I hope you all have enjoyed this collection of Hollywood styles from the 1950s.  It was a very nifty time and almost everyone dressed in classic pieces that can still be worn today.  I honestly do love this time frame and everything within it.  From the music to the clothes to the movies, the fifties seems like it was an overall fun time full of wonderfully dressed people.  

I always enjoy incorporating vintage pieces into my outfits like an old bracelet or simple pendant necklace.  Even pearls and a little black dress are sometimes necessary.

Well the fifties are definitely something I adore!  I hope you do now, too!  

xxx.  Isabel.