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Long 50s dresses are all about that classic yet modernized style. With the Waspi suit and beautifully complemented crinoline, the dress structure of the long 50s dress portrays the strictness of the decade. These dresses came in shades, materials, and designs to fit different activities and environments. They were later expanded to modern variants that look like the originals but are not, which is also why they are still stylish and relevant today.
The following are some common styles of the long 50s dress:
The A-line dress is perhaps one of the most popular long 50s dresses in the category. This style is so well-known that it is hard to believe it was once so widely publicized in Vogue Magazine. With its more fitted top and flared bottom, the A-line cut accentuates the waist and creates a beautiful silhouette. The dresses in this category were made of stiff fabrics, ensuring the voluminous shape was retained. This particular style was regularly worn for formal occasions or dinner outs.
The wrap dress's feature of wrapping around the body and tying at the waist was pure genius, but it was also practical. While a former version of this dress was usually worn by women, this new style was introduced so that women could still look classy and not lose their femininity while enjoying the benefit of being able to nurse. However, as time went by, the style caught on, especially among the women around Jackie Onassis Kennedy. The long version of the wrap dress was made from soft, easy fabrics that fell in waves sometimes, making them perfect for brighter and softer shapes.
The long shirt dress of the 50s was an attempt to define women's formal and semi-formal wear. Drawing elements from men's shirts, this design was also collared and buttoned at the front with a more free-cut waist and skirt. These dresses, perfect for a sophisticated café look or brunch, were usually plain or had simple designs, a testament to the era's fashion practice rather than its extravagance. These styling touches made them ideal for the daytime and less formal compared to the ball gown 50s dresses.
The long 50s dresses were undoubtedly very quiet but still presented themselves with a touch of class with subtle colors. However, this was also the decade when many marked prints began to be discovered, thanks to the prints by the likes of Christian Dior. Bright, bold floral, polka dot plaid, and geometric dresses were as much a part of the wardrobe as the solid ones. The printed dresses were preferred because they were casual and could be worn daily. The dresses also looked more elegant when combined with white gloves and a small waist belt.
In the 1950s, dress design reached perfection and significantly redefined women's fashion. The most recognized long dresses of the era were characterized by specific structural traits that made them appear very classy and kept geometrically. Each dress design in the 50s was slightly different, mainly based on the occasion and the dame's status. Thus, here are some elements of design that were common with long 50s dresses:
The overall silhouette of a long 50s dress has everything to do with the so-called New Look style designed by Christian Dior. The dresses had narrow fitted waists, called "cylinder," and full skirts that went down to the ankles. Other than these, most dresses required crinoline underskirts to ensure this shape was retained. Hence, this new design accentuated the women's hourglass figure, making it all the rage in the 50s.
The long dresses of the 50s were not what we call today. Most dresses usually ended at mid-calf, the so-called tea length. However, floor-length gowns were also popular, but these were reserved for evening functions or formal events. The length of the dress was particular as it reflected the societal standards of modesty while influencing the wearer's opinion of style and fashion.
The 50s dresses were constructed from different fabrics, ranging from cotton and silk to taffeta. The material selection significantly affected the dress's look and feel and, sometimes, the shape. The color palette of the long 50s dresses was quite vast, from soft pastels to bold colors, with the earlier decade being more interested in subdued colors. Besides, many dresses were also quite plain, with several dresses only marked by simple decorations such as a waist belt or a neck layer.
Another unique feature of the 50s dresses was the neckline and sleeves. Some of the well-recognized necklines were boat necks, sweetheart necks, and off-shoulders. Depending on the style and occasion, the sleeves ranged from cap sleeves to half sleeves, even excluding them entirely. These elements helped make the dress look feminine and sophisticated.
To a great extent, selecting a long 50s dress involves different factors because of the period it represents. For more than five decades, women have relied on this style for inspiration whenever they want something elegant yet glamorous. But while considering the features, think about the following factors to ensure the dress is more of a playful and sophisticated dress than a replica of a specific time.
The other thing is that people looking for long 50s dresses should consider the type of silhouette that best fits their body shape. In the 1950s, other dresses were designed solely to emphasize the hourglass shape. So think of those dresses with a fitted bodice and flared skirt. These cuts do well at defining the waist while providing some form of fullness around the hips, hence the hourglass shape. Anyone who wishes to replicate that iconic vintage style will have to go for these cuts; after all, this is the essence of dressing in the 50s.
While the long 50s dresses are mainly made in long lengths and up to the knee, most are exquisitely made in the 50s fashion. It is now crucial to pay attention to the dress hemlines to meet the standards of personal preference and the event to which the dress would be worn. Opting for a vintage style, one should go for the tea lengths or ankle lengths. Such lengths were very popular in the 50s, especially in formal parties or dinner events. When looking for a casual dress, floor-length is ideal since this length can easily be worn casually or formally.
The material used for the long 50s dresses largely gives them their iconic shape and style. The dresses in this category were always made from taffeta, cotton, and silk. Each of these fabrics has its advantages: taffeta makes the dresses look crisper due to the structure, while cotton makes them less formal. A vintage dress is usually made of genuine or high-quality material to ensure that it represents the period perfectly.
Long 50s dresses also came in various colors and prints, from the less monotonous ones to the more colorful. To select the right dress, avoid using random colors, especially since the colors play a vital role in defining the overall theme of a vintage-style long dress. The dresses commonly worn in the 50s were mostly composed of small plain colors and simple designs, such as polka dots or floral patterns. Unless intending to imitate a specific dress, it is advisable to avoid too over the prints and choose something that will give more of a vintage feel.
Finally, accessories are needed to enhance the long 50s dress to the utmost. Gloves, vintage hats, pearl jewelry, and diva pumps add glamour and sophistication to the look, making it much more enjoyable to wear.
In the 50s, long dresses were used for different occasions: everyday wear, formal events, and everything in between. The extended dresses allow ladies to maintain a certain level of grace, hence why they wore them no matter the situation. Here are styling and where to wear suggestions to fit the long 50s dresses in different scenarios:
Daily dresses mostly featured playful patterns, bright colors, and lightweight fabrics such as cotton, which were ideal for summer. The cut of these dresses, usually A-line or wrap style, allowed free movement and was therefore ideal for running errands, visiting relatives, and having fun in town. Simple ballet flats and sandals complemented the long 50s dresses and fitted the casual look for work.
For an outdoor event or a day at the beach, a long 50s dress in any light fabric will do. The materials used to make the dress, for example, chiffon or cotton, will keep the wearer cool as they flow with air. Wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat and some retro sunglasses will also keep the sun away while giving off that vintage feel.
Evening gowns and floor-length dresses were often worn to weddings and formal functions, such as proms, galas, and dinner parties. These were mostly made of fabrics like silk or taffeta and were very good at holding shapes. Such dresses were ideally accessorized with vintage jewelry, gloves, and heels to a classy and elegant look of that time and fitted the occasion well.
Wearing a long 50s dress to a retro-themed party or catwalk show would be better. This style dress can be better described as a vintage dress; specific details can be more intense. A print of the period, like polka dots or a floral pattern, may perhaps be combined with a crinoline slip to augment the style. Completing the outfit with appropriate accessories such as a fascinator or gloves would be better.
A1: Yes, long 50s dresses, mainly made of light fabrics, are perfect for today's events. The style remains relevant today, and it can be modified to better suit one's preferences, especially when the event is held outdoors or on the beach.
A2: The care of vintage long 50s dresses majorly depends on the material of the dress. Generally, hand washing in cold water or dry cleaning is recommended, mainly for dresses made from delicate fabrics like silk or chiffon.
A3: Long 50s dresses can be worn daily, especially when styled in a simple manner with casual accessories.
A4: With long 50s dresses, vintage gloves, pearl jewelry, and retro hairstyles with heels would complete the vintage look for any occasion.
A5: Yes, the long 50s dresses are designed with specific cuts that can be adjusted to accommodate all body types.
