1950s Fashion Men

It has got to be said that vintage fashion is indeed a class and whole world apart. The charm and thrill of dressing in fashion of that era is unparalleled. The 1950 saw a whole new dawn and revolution of fashion. After World War II, men's fashion took on a whole new meaning. Classic films prominently promoted the fashion that was the rage in that era. Young men with their skinny pants and flamboyant shirts all depicted the image of the carefree youth and the men looked dapper in their finely and fashionably cut three piece suit. In present days there are special vintage stores that cater to fashion from the vintage era and a very popular amongst modern individuals.

In the 50s, the businessmen were sharply dressed and very impeccably turned out in their single breasted suit coats, the trademark crisp and finely starched whiter than white shirts, conservative printed ties and wing-tipped shoes which have never gone out of fashion over the decades. For a casual day spent with family or on a holiday, the flamboyant and vividly colorful Hawaiian shirts were the popular choice. The 50s also gave rise to the preppie look where teens started to look and dress more casually with collared shirts beneath loosely fitted cardigans. The crew or V shaped sweaters became a style statement amongst the youth. Fashion took on a new momentum.

Men were very dapper in their dressing and they wore sharply pleated trousers with their business suits. The chino pants became a casual rage in the 1950s and were first worn by men who were in the military in Europe and The United States of America. Soon after, they became a huge hit with civilians. Chinos ere also called khakis because of their color and were made from cotton twill. Blue jeans were worn with their leg cuffs rolled up. Over the decades this fashion has continued to remain popular. This style was popularized by world famous teen idols that wore jeans and made them a global fashion trend.

Jackets and coats were popularized during the 1950s by businessmen who wore overcoats made from cashmere or wool. Men both young and old wore zip-up jackets to enhance their casual wear. The younger generation wore chino jackets with emblems and varsity jackets made from leather with the initial of the school name embossed on the breast of the jacket. Sports award emblems and pins were added to the jacket depending on what and how many awards the wearer won.

In terms of footwear fashion too, the penny loafers became a big rage in the 1950s. The concept of slip-on shoes instead of the cumbersome tie shoes gained immense popularity in this era. The name penny loafers were derived from a pocket area on the top of the shoe where a penny could be hidden. Shoes which resembled a horse saddle were also popularized during this time. They were made of hard leather and were tie shoes. Those men who were businessmen wore wing tipped leather tie shoes.

In the 1950's most of peoples possessions, including clothing, were still passed on or recycled as part of the 'make do and mend' culture that had become a necessity throughout the Second World War. However this decade marked the end of rationing and the resulting economic growth inevitably led to an increase in consumerism. After years of hardship ordinary people suddenly had time, money and enthusiasm to put into re-inventing the post war world, and fashion was an important part of this.

Clothes for the average working person became more readily available, there was a surge in the availability of materials and patterns to make your own, but most importantly mass production 'off the peg' clothing became available at prices that allowed most people access to latest fashionable styles.