The 1950s were a golden era for bridal fashion, marked by elegance, innovation, and a touch of Hollywood glamour. Brides embraced styles that combined traditional modesty with contemporary flair, resulting in wedding attire that remains iconic to this day.
Early 1950s: Structured Elegance
In the early 50s, wedding gowns featured sweetheart necklines, cinched waists, and full skirts, creating a classic princess silhouette. Fabrics like silk and Duchesse satins provided a smooth, shiny finish, while handmade and machine made lace was a popular choice for gowns, veils, and gloves. Modesty was important, with long sleeves and high necklines being the norm. Skirts were supported by petticoats to achieve the desired A-line shape.
Mid 1950s: Versatility and Innovation
By the mid-decade, practicality influenced bridal fashion. Designers introduced removable layers, allowing brides to transition from modest ceremony attire to more relaxed reception wear. Strapless gowns became popular, often paired with bolero jackets or detachable sleeves for the ceremony. This period also saw the influence of television, with shows like “Bride and Groom,” showcasing real couples and their wedding attire, bringing bridal fashion into living rooms across the nation.
Late 50s: Lightness and Movement
The latter part of the decade embraced lighter fabrics like chiffon and tulle, giving gowns a softer appearance. Hemlines rose to tea-length or mid-shin, revealing elegant footwear and allowing greater mobility. Necklines became simpler, with styles like the bateau and scoop neck gaining popularity. Short sleeves and minimal embellishments lent a youthful, doll-like innocence to bridal looks.
Accessories: Completing the Look
Veils
Veils in the 1950s weren’t just accessories, they were defining features of the bridal look. While cathedral-length styles still made appearances, the shorter, shoulder to waist-length veil became the era’s signature.
Light layers of tulle or netting puffed gently from the crown, echoing the volume of the full skirt below and adding a soft, romantic frame to the bride’s face. These veils were often attached with discreet combs, slender headbands, or perched on pillbox hats and lace-trimmed caps, sometimes edged in tiny pearls or shimmered ever so slightly with appliqué. The texture mattered—crisp tulle gave that dreamy, floaty effect that brides adored.
While fewer brides wore veils pulled over the face, the symbolism of modesty and mystery still lingered in more traditional ceremonies. At the same time, some brides ditched veils entirely in favour of floral crowns or sparkling clips. Then there were the bold ones. Rock and Roll brides went big, choosing bouffant veils puffed high above the head with a single rose nestled at the centre—glamorous, rebellious, unforgettable.
Gloves
Just like in the decades before, gloves in the 1950s weren’t just an accessory, they were a statement of elegance and almost as essential as the wedding gown itself. Early in the decade, brides wearing short-sleeved dresses often paired them with long doeskin white gloves that reached the elbow, softly wrinkling at the wrist for a romantic effect. For long-sleeved gowns, gloves weren’t a necessity, but many brides still wore wrist length gloves made from lace, satin, or tulle. As the 50s progressed, shorter gloves became the norm. Wrist-length styles, made to match the dress fabric, paired perfectly with the increasingly popular tea-length gowns. Still, only about a quarter of brides in the 1950s actually chose to wear gloves – proof that even tradition bowed to personal taste.
Jewellery
Just like in the 1940s, jewellery in the 1950s was understated and classic. A simple pearl necklace was the go-to choice for most brides. Often it would be worn with a matching pearl bracelet, especially meaningful if it served as the “something borrowed” from a loved one. Earring were just as subtle. If the hairstyle left the ears visible, brides might wear small pearl studs or clip-ons, delicate and quietly elegant. Nothing flashy. Just timeless.
Flowers
Lily of the valley and ferns or a single stem white lily tied with a white bow were popular choices for the modern 1950s bride. As always, movie stars bucked the trends and created their own. Elizabeth Taylor chose daffodils and yellow tulips to complement her bridesmaids chiffon yellow dresses and Jackie Kennedy chose a spray of white and pink orchids and gardenias. Any pink flowers were highly fashionable for most of the decade.
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