Find out what made this decade so fashionable.

Look no further than Ricky and Lucy from the TV show "I Love Lucy" for quintessential '50s fashions. Lucy's perfectly feminine knee-length dresses and Ricky's masculine boxy suits were an exact reflection of the style of the times. The show ran from October 15, 1951 to April 1, 1960 and was the most watched series in four of its six seasons—winning 5 Emmys!

Fashion By Gender

The end of WWII marked the beginning of prosperous times for America. Fashions were reflective of the socially conservative attitudes—cinched at the waist circle skirts for women, and grey suits for men.

Sweater Sets

Sweaters were no longer just for warmth. Matching sweater sets became very stylish—some elaborately refined with embroidery, bead detail, and pearls.

Rock 'n' Roll

Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, and Elvis Presley made music history in the '50s, introducing the new sound of rock 'n' roll to the world. Combining blues, country, and gospel, the music was fast and was meant for dancing.

The Sock Hop

High school dances were usually held in the gym. Dancers had to take off their shoes to protect the varnished floors—and the term "sock hop" was born! Guys rolled up their sleeves, got crew cuts, and wore preppy cardigans.

Teenagers

Girls pulled their hair back and tied scarves and ribbons around their ponytails. It became stylish to wear thick black eyeliner across the top eyelid. Pearls, poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and blue suede loafers were popular. And for the first time, the term "teenager" was widely used.

The Icon

James Dean was the Rob Pattinson of the '50s. Many identified with the teenage angst played out onscreen in Dean's portrayal of Jim Stark in Rebel Without A Cause. He was a fashion and attitude sensation, making white tees and jeans cool.

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