The 1950s were a decade of refined elegance and classic style, even as the winter chill set in. Women of this era knew how to stay warm without sacrificing an ounce of glamour, combining practicality and sophistication. If you’re looking to bring a touch of 1950s charm to your winter wardrobe, or simply enjoy the nostalgia of vintage fashion, lets take a look at what women wore during the winter months in the 1950s.
1950s Winter – Coats and Outerwear
In the 50s, women’s outerwear would be focused on style as well as warmth. A popular item during this period was the knee-length coat. They would usually be made with wool, camel hair, fleece, tweed or cashmere, which kept the wearer warm while also providing a sleek and sophisticated look. Often they would be cinched at the waist with a belt which created the popular feminine silhouette of the time that we all know and love. Some of the most popular styles of knee-length coats in the 50s were the single-breasted, double-breasted and a-line.
1950s full coats
Full coats had wide sleeves, large cuffs and collars, unusually large buttons and a triangular shape that mostly came in long (to mid-shin) or short (hip-length). This made wearing fuller dresses and skirts easier as the coat wouldn’t be too tight when wearing layers. Following the war there was also a baby-boom, so coats that were roomy allowed women who were expecting to hide this without “showing” too much. It was very different in the 1950s and been seen to be pregnant was a bit of a social faux-pas.
1950s Princess coats
The ideal silhouette in the 1950s was nipped in at the waist with a full skirt and the princess cut of coat would emulate and enhance this. Princess coats were feminine and fitted to the top half of the body before falling gracefully to mid-calf. These would often be buttoned up the front but would also come in a trench style complete with belt to maintain that waspish waist. The princess coat was so named after the way the coat is cut – this creates a full and flowing skirt which resembles and princess’s dress. This type of coat was also known as a swing coat – so named after the way the coat moves as the wearer is walking with the full skirt swaying or swinging as they moved.
1950s box coats
The box coat or half coat is another one of the popular styles of the 1950s, usually worn in a casual or everyday setting. They would usually hit at the bottom of a woman’s hips or went to mid-thigh. Characterised by its boxy, straight cut silhouette and square shoulders the box coat had a simple, clean design with minimal detailing. These were reminiscent of the 1940s box coat but often had a fuller shape with large pleats at the back shoulder creating more volume.
Collars, pockets and buttons were all oversized on the 50s box coat with solid colours being the most prevalent among women during the era. The only patterned version available was checks.
1950s fur coats
Another popular type of 1950s winter coat was of course, the fur coat. Fur coats were seen as a status symbol and would often be made of mink, beaver, sable or fox fur. These coats were typically knee length and had a luxurious look and feel. The other 1950s coat shapes above were translated over into fur coats of the time, although the box coat and swagger shape looked best. They would usually be worn to formal events and special occasions, although they would for everyday wear when the weather was particularly bitter.
Sleeves on the fur coats of the 1950s were wide and open with high, closed collars with longer-hair fur at the collar edge. Often, the simple and polished style was maintained with only two or three buttons or clasps keeping the coat closed – some box styles would also only have a clasp to the neckline. Pockets were usually hidden slashes on the coats side.
1950s winter – accessories
Women in the 50s would also wear matching gloves, hats and scarves to complete their winter outfits. The gloves would sometimes be knitted, but also made with leather or suede and came in a variety of colours. The scarves would be made in wool or cashmere and were often decorated with patterns or fringing. Hats were a very popular accessory with styles including beret, cloche and pillbox.
1950s winter – hats
The beret has been in fashion since the 1920s and is still in style to this day. In the decades running up to the 1950s, there was little change in its shape or size. This soft, round hat sits on the back of the head and was usually made with wool or felt. What was new in the beret for the 50s was some additions like contrasting braid and trim. Smooth berets were classic, but fuzzy ones were more fashionable. Other additions include pearls or beads scattered all over or charming bows on the band.
The 1950s cloche hat is a close-fitting, bell-shaped hat that sits on top of the head and covers the ears. The name for this style of hat comes from the French for “bell” which describes perfectly the shape of the hat. The cloche hat was very popular during the 1920s, and made a resounding comeback in the 1950s.
Smooth felt or textured fabrics like fur or velvet added interest and dimension with minimal trim being added. A simple narrow ribbon was all that was added, usually with a brooch, pin, jewel or flat bow to one side. To the beginning of the decade, early cloche hats had short brims and rounded crowns with the later part of the decade seeing angular crowns and flat tops.
Pillbox hats continued to be popular, following over from the trends of the 40s. Named after its resemblance to small, round containers used to hold pills, this hat was small, circular, with straight sides and a flat or slightly rounded top. These were designed to be worn on the top of the head covering the crown or perched flat on top. As we came to the end of the decade, the crown of pillbox hats grew to 4-5 inches tall – the popularity grew, becoming one of the few 1950s hat styles to continue being fashionable in the 1960s.
Pillbox hats looked especially smart when worn with a tailored suit. The clean, unfussy lines of the hat would complement the simple lines of the suit perfectly. Some pillbox hats would have net veils, and fancier versions would include trim, beading or fringe decorating the sides.
1950s winter – scarves
Wrap scarves were a popular option in the wintertime. These were long and rectangular and were worn wrapped around the body and secured with a pin or brooch. The wrap scarf was versatile and could be worn with many outfits and therefore came in a range of colours and patterns. Some of the popular patterns were plaid, stripes and florals.
The wrap scarf would usually be worn over the coat or sweater and was often used as an additional layer of warmth. They could also be worn in a variety of creative ways including knotted, folded or draped. They were often used to accessorise an outfit and to add a pop of colour or pattern.
Large blanket scarves were also a great way to keep warm in the 1950s, and can only be described as the wrap scarfs’ bigger cousin. These too would be available in plaid and stripes but were also used to add texture to an outfit in tweed and textured wools. These would be worn as shawls, head coverings and wraps as well as around the neck and usually had fringed edges to add interest.
Many hats and scarves of the entire 1950s would be attached to hats, either sewn permanently or with a brooch on either side. This was a lovely way to look classy and stay warm!
1950s winter – clothing
As you’d expect, dresses were a popular clothing item in the 1950s. As with outerwear, they would be made with wool and cashmere for warmth and came in a variety of styles including A-line, full skirt and sheath. These would often be worn with a cardigan or twin-set sweater and accompanied with stockings and closed-toe shoes. Some women would also wear a matching coat and hat to complete the look.
As with the other seasons, a skirt and blouse was also worn by many. Skirts would be made with wool or tweed and came in a range of lengths. They would be paired with a gorgeous blouse in silk, rayon or cotton. A cardigan or twin-set would usually complete the outfit so the wearer was cosy and on trend in her style.
For a more casual look, women would opt for a sweater and slacks or a sweater dress. The sweaters came in a variety of styles including crew-neck, V-neck and turtleneck. Like skirts, slacks would usually be made in wool or tweed and could also be worn with a blouse.
1950s winter – footwear
As with all of the other seasons in the 1950s, winter footwear would usually be pumps if the weather was dry. Typically, these were made with leather or suede, had low heels and were available in a wide range of colours making them suitable for all kinds of outfits. The popular style of pumps in the 1950s were pointed-toe, round-toe and square-toed.
Loafers and ballet pumps were also seen in a more casual setting. These would be worn with slacks but loafers were sometimes seen in formal settings. Like the pumps, they would be available in suede or leather in a range of colours to match ones other garments.
What would be winter without boots? The 1950s was no different to the current day as women would wear boots during the winter – especially if the weather was wet or snowy. 1950s boots would be available in both knee-high and ankle boots and usually came in leather, suede and even velvet.
In general, 1950s winter footwear would focus on high quality materials with a classic tailored look ensuring they could be worn each year when the weather got colder. Colours were muted and conservative with black, brown and navy being the most popular choice for many women during the era.
1950s winter – on the piste
Skiing was a popular occupation in the 1950s and women who partook in the activity would often wear a warm practical outfit that was designed to keep them warm and protected from the elements.
Ski suits were very popular for this very reason. The one-piece outfits were made with waterproof and insulated materials to ensure no gaps existing to prevent drafts when one was on the piste. They would typically consist of a jacket and pants attached at the waist and usually had hoods, zippers and pockets for the ultimate warm outfit. Bright colours and patterns were usually seen on the slopes and 1950s ski suits had a snug fit to reduce wind resistance while skiing.
Another popular outfit choice for skiing was the slacks and a sweater. As with sweaters worn for other winter activities in the 1950s, they would be made with wool or cashmere with the slacks being available in wool or tweed. As the slopes could be colder than day to day wear, they would sometimes be worn with a pair of warm leggings underneath and paired with a matching coat.
Of course women in the 1950s would also wear hats, scarves and gloves to keep themselves warm and they would also wear warm boots such as Moon Boots. These were very popular during the period and had thick insulation making them waterproof and durable.
The winter fashion of the 1950s was a perfect blend of elegance, warmth, and practicality. From luxurious wool coats to cosy knitwear, the women of this decade knew how to stay chic and warm. Whether you’re looking to incorporate vintage elements into your current wardrobe, or simply appreciate the timeless style of the 50s, these winter fashion essentials offer inspiration for embracing the cold with grace and style.
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