Fashion has been a part of our culture and of our society for decades and even centuries. In fact, there have been both bad and good fashion trends in every decade. Tie-dyed shirts, love beads, and poet shirts were big fashion trends in the 1960’s. Flared bottom pants were big in the 1970s and poodle skirts and poodles were huge fashion trends for women in the 1950s. Poodle skirts and poodles were some of the fashion trends for women in the 1950s; in addition to the women’s fashion trends of the 1950s there were also fashion trends in the 1950s that focused on men of the decade. It is very important to remember that people’s attitudes and beliefs can and do effect different part’s of culture. Therefore, 1950’s men’s fashion trends were influenced by 1950’s attitudes and beliefs.
In the 1950s, fashion was conservative Men wore gray flannel suits even if it were 100 degrees in the summer and women wore dresses with pinched waists and high heels. The 1950’s businessman and husband wore clothing that made from cotton, silk, or wools. 1950s businessmen also wore wool suits and jackets. However, wool was very uncomfortable especially in the dog days of summer. However, the 1950’s businessman was all about business and seriousness not comfort. In addition, to both the gray flannel suits and the wool suits and jackets, 1950s business men also wore ties while at work. However, after work, the 1950’s businessman and husband relaxed his fashion statement by removing his tie while remaining in a dress shirt and dress pants for even social occasions. Some 1950s fashion emphasized fitting into the social mold of the strongly held belief that gender roles were to be strictly enforced. In other words, when it came to 1950’s fashion trends it was understood that men wore suits and women wore dresses period. Moreover, 1950s men fashion trends involved businessmen and husbands to wear cuff links with their gray flannel suit during both an important business meeting and a dinner date with their spouse.
As the 1950s progressed men’s fashion trends changed a bit. There were more colors used in all fabrics and fabrics were more lightweight. In addition, men were changing out of their vests and into their cardigan sweaters. In addition, men’s jackets were longer and there was less structure in men’s jackets, especially in the shoulder area. Moreover, men’s pant legs were narrower.
Men’s fashion trends in the 1950’s were also influenced by the movies of the day. James Dean in Rebel without a Cause made blue jeans and white t-shirts men’s attitudinal fashion statement and fashion trend for 1950’s younger men and male teenagers. James Dean also helped make hairstyles such as the flat top and the cure cut popular accessories for 1950’s men’s fashion trends. Moreover, Elvis Presley changed the face of music in the 1950’s with rock and roll; so it seems only natural that he would influence 1950’s men’s fashion. Blue suede shoes become a part of men’s fashion trends in the 1950’s probably in large part to the popularity of Elvis Presley. Fashion has been a part of our culture for a long time and there have been many fashion trends in each decade that can be influenced by social norms and movies of that decade 1950’s men’s fashion trends are no exception to this rule.
