What they Wore – 1950s Summer Style

There’s something magical about summer in the 1950s. The decade was alive with optimism, glamour, and a sense of fun – and fashion reflected that. After the rationing and practicality of the 1940s, the post-war boom brought a burst of colour, fabric, and fabulous new trends.

Gone was the “make do and mend” attitude. In its place? Bold dresses, playful prints, and coordinated accessories that screamed style. Women drew inspiration from Hollywood starlets, glossy magazines, and the ever-growing world of television.

Let’s dive into what made 1950s summer fashion so unforgettable.

Summer Dresses: Bright, Beautiful and Perfectly Fitted

Summer dresses in the 1950s were the ultimate blend of style and practicality. Crisp cotton fabrics in bright hues or soft pastels were everywhere. The silhouette? Always classic. A fitted bodice cinched the waist, while full, swirling skirts created that coveted hourglass figure.

Sleeveless styles kept things cool in the heat. And yes, even on the warmest days, many women still wore petticoats to hold the skirts shape – though lighter, single-layer styles were popular for summer wear.

Nautical themes were especially trendy. Think red, navy, and white combos, perfect for seaside trips or picnics in the park.

Shorts and Capris: Casual but Cute

High-waisted shorts and capri pants were a summer staple for stylish women in the 1950s. Designed to sit right at the natural waist, they offered a flattering fit with just the right touch of playfulness.

Early in the decade, styles were looser. But by the late 50s, slimmer, more figure-hugging fits were the look of the moment. Popular prints included gingham and stripes, while neutral block colours made mixing and matching easy.

Capris, clam diggers, Bermuda shorts – there were options for every occasion. Pair them with a crisp blouse or tied at the

Blouses and Tops: Classic meets Feminine

Tops were all about structure and detail. Button-down blouses ruled the day, worn snug and always tucked in. Popular patterns included polka dots, florals, and gingham, often in soft pastel shades perfect for sunny days.

Collars came in every style, from pointed, to Peter Pan to boat necks. Extra details like embroidery, trims and pin tucks added a little extra personality.

Peasant blouses were another beloved summer staple of the 1950s, bringing a relaxed, romantic feel to everyday outfits. Inspired by traditional folk styles, these tops were usually made from lightweight cotton or crisp white linen, perfect for keeping cool on sunny days. They featured soft, gathered necklines – sometimes elasticated or tied with a bow – along with pretty puffed sleeves and delicate embroidery. Worn tucked into a full skirt or paired with casual capri pants, the peasant blouse offered a softer, more bohemian alternative to the more structured button-down shirt, while still feeling unmistakably feminine and polished.

While crisp cotton blouses ruled much of 1950s daywear, knit tops quietly carved out their own stylish little corner – especially for summer.

Think lightweight. Think fitted. Think effortlessly feminine.

These tops were usually made from fine-gauge wool, rayon blends, or early synthetics like Orlon – soft against the skin but still breathable. Perfect for breezy summer evenings or casual daytime looks that still felt polished.

Playsuits and Play Sets: Fun in the Sun

Nothing says 1950s summer like a playsuit. Originally designed for children, these cute one-piece outfits became a fashion must-have for stylish women on holiday or relaxing at the beach.

Bright prints, bold colours, and flattering cuts made them irresistible. Many playsuits came as part of a ‘play set’ with matching skirts, tops, or jackets to throw on when the temperature dropped.

Icons like Marilyn Monroe made the look famous, highlighting the playsuit’s ability to be both playful and incredibly glamorous.

Hats: The Finishing Touch

No 1950s summer outfit felt truly complete without a hat – even as hat-wearing slowly began to decline among the younger generation, especially by the end of the decade. But for holidays, seaside trips, or simple sunny days out and about, hats remained a fashionable and practical accessory.

And oh, the variety.

Straw Hats

Wide-brimmed straw hats were a summer classic. Elegant yet effortless, they provided much needed shade while adding that glamorous Old Hollywood vibe. Some were trimmed with ribbons, flowers or bows to coordinate with an outfit or swimsuit.

Wide-brimmed sun hats weren’t just for beach wear. Women also wore this kind of hat when out anywhere to stay cool and stylish. To co-ordinate with their outfits – as we know they loved to do – accessories like flowers, ribbons and bows were used, often in the same colour as their outfits. These were held in place using a ribbon tied in a bow under the chin, or with combs and hat pins.

Sun Bonnets

For more casual outings or beach days, women sometimes wore fabric sun bonnets. These were often made from cotton with pretty floral prints or gingham checks, tied under the chin with a bow – giving them a sweet, almost childlike charm.

Headscarves and Turbans

Headscarves became hugely popular in the 1950s, especially for protecting hair from the wind at the beach or while driving with the top down. Women tied colourful silk or cotton scarves under the chin or at the nape of the neck. Turban-style wraps, often in terry cloth or cotton, were also seen poolside or at the beach.

Shoes: Stylish Steps for Sunny Days

Summer footwear in the 1950s was all about comfort without sacrificing style. Shoes were carefully chosen to match every outfit – because no look was complete without the perfect footwear.

Women embraced a mix of practicality and femininity, with styles that worked for picnics in the park, strolling the promenade, or dancing the night away at a summer party.

Classic Sandals

Strappy fabric or leather sandals were a go-to choice for warm weather. Styles often featured low wedge heels or small block heels – enough to feel ladylike, but still easy to walk in. Peep toes, ankle straps, and cut-out designs added extra flair.

Ballet Flats and Skimmers

Inspired by movie stars like Audrey Hepburn, ballet flats became a fashionable yet practical option for summer. Simple, dainty, and easy to wear with skirts, dresses, or capri pants. Many were made in soft pastels or classic white for that fresh, summery feel.

Espadrilles

Espadrilles – with their rope or jute soles brought a relaxed, almost holiday vibe to summer wardrobes. Perfect for beachside towns or garden parties, they came in wedge or flat styles, often with playful ankle ties or bright fabric uppers.

Canvas Sneakers

For casual days or sportswear inspired looks, canvas plimsolls or sneakers were popular, especially in white pastel shades. Worn with shirts or rolled-up jeans, they gave a youthful, carefree energy.

Heeled Mules and Sliders

For dressier occasions, summer evenings, or cocktail parties, women loved slipping into heeled mules or slides. Open-toed and often decorated with bows, flowers or embroidery, these shoes added instant glamour while still feeling breezy and light.

Swimsuits: Glamorous by the Pool, Playful by the Sea

Swimwear in the 1950s was all about sculpted shapes, flattering cuts, and a touch of old-school Hollywood glamour. Whether sunbathing at the beach or splashing in the local lido, women’s swimsuits combined style with structure – always designed to highlight that iconic hourglass silhouettes.

Gone were the loose, shapeless bathing suits of earlier decades. The 1950s brought swimwear that celebrated curves, offered support, and still managed to look effortlessly chic.

One-Piece Swimsuits

The classic one-piece truly reigned supreme throughout the decade. These bathing suits were carefully structured to hug the body, often featuring sweetheart necklines or elegant halter straps that framed the shoulders. Built-in cups and hidden support panels helped to create that perfect hourglass silhouette, while details like ruched panels or shirring added texture and made the waist appear smaller.

Swimsuits typically had low-cut legs for a modest but striking look, with fabrics in fun polka dots, tropical prints, nautical stripes, or simple, timeless solids like red, navy, or black.

1950s Summer – Princess Bathing Suit

Several new styles of bathing suit made their mark on the deacde. The princess bathing suit was a classic look and one I always picture when thinking of the decade. The top usually had a sweetheart neckline with a short, tight skirt covering the front part of the bottom, which sometimes also extended around to the back. Most pictures you see of a princess bathing suit will show it as being a strapless garment. In reality, it was sold with thin straps that crossed at the back which could be attached or removed as desired. Straps were worn if a lady wished to swim and removed for sunbathing.

Ruching was also used on either side or the entire body of the bathing suit in the early 50s. This clever technique creates an optical illusion that slims the body and hides unsightly rolls. You can still find ruching on dresses and bathing suits today. Some bathing suits zipped up at the back to make them even more form fitting.

1950s Summer – Bubble Swimsuits

The bubble swimsuit was princess cut on the bodice which had puffy shorts instead of the fitted skirt of the princess suit. I think these are quite cute, but they didn’t go over well with women at the time. Instead of the puffy shorts, suit legs were trimmed with ruffles like bloomers or pettipants.

1950s Summer – Baby Doll Swimsuits

Baby doll swimsuits also had the bodice of the princess suit but instead of the short skirt or bubble hem, it finished in cute boy shorts. This was a new style for the 1950s. Playsuits and rompers were already available in short shorts, but it was finally acceptable for a swimsuit to finish in the same way.

Most Baby Doll suits had cuffed shorts with some also featuring pockets, ruffles and piping too. Another trendy style had gathered ties on the sides of the legs. The top of the Baby Doll suit could be strapless, but most had thick, flat straps making it look the same as the 1950s play set.

Two-Piece Bikinis

Although bikinis had begun to appear in the 1940s, the 1950s version was far more covered and structured than modern styles. High-waisted bikini bottoms sat neatly at the natural waistline, offering full coverage while highlighting the waist. Tops often mimicked the design if structure bras, providing both support and shape with padded cups and halter ties.

Many two-piece sets came with matching skirts or sarongs to tie at the waist, adding a practical yet stylish extra layer for walking to the beach or sitting at a cafe. Patterns were playful with gingham checks, bold stripes, and pastel polka dots being especially popular.

1950s summer style was all about looking polished, feeling playful, and embracing colour and femininity. From swirling dresses to cute capris, these looks remain timeless for a reason.

Vintage style, forever iconic.

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