1950s Teen Clothes

by Candace RichComment — Updated September 27, 2023

Fifties was a time when 1950s teenage fashion started to show its own unique style. After the war, there was a lot of change in the culture, and teenagers wanted to show who they were through their clothes.

In the 1950s, teenagers had lots of cool and affordable clothing options. They wore casual tapered pants from Derby and fun dotted cotton dresses from Suzy Brooks. Each piece of clothing told a story about the person wearing it.

There were clothes for every occasion! Fancy Princess Dresses for special events and funky Circus Stripes for hanging out. Teens added their own touch with hats, bags, and cool shoes. These clothes showed the world the spirit of a generation wanting to be themselves.

Here’s a breakdown of some popular 1950s teenage clothing. You’ll see see how teens represented a time of change!

Tapered Pants 

Tapered pants were a popular choice among teenagers in the 1950s. These pants were designed to narrow towards the knee and often came with shoestring ties. Priced around $4, they were a casual and affordable option for various activities, including telephoning. The brand Derby was known for offering these types of pants.

teen clothes

Dotted Cotton Dresses

Dotted cotton dresses, particularly shirtwaist styles, were a hit among young girls. These dresses came in bright colors and were priced at around $13. They were often accessorized with sailor hats, which cost about $6. Suzy Brooks was a popular brand for these dresses, while John Frederics was known for the sailor hats. These outfits were perfect for outings like soda fountain sprees.

teens day dresses

Bare-armed Dress

The bare-armed dress was another trendy option, featuring wide skirts and costing around $8. These dresses were often paired with flat gondolier hats adorned with high-riding daisies, which also cost about $8. Brands like Katie Greenaway offered these dresses, while John Federica was the go-to for the accompanying hats. These outfits were generally admired by girls who preferred casual wear.

50s teens

Ruffled Slip

Ruffled slips made of polka-dot nylon were essential for supporting the full-skirted dresses of the era. Priced at around $9, these slips were stiff enough to give the desired buoyancy to dresses. The brand Style Undies was known for offering these types of slips.

Fifties teen clothes

Peppermint Top

The Peppermint Top mimicked the design of a boy’s shirt and was priced at around $5. It was a casual option often worn with pleated skirts, also priced at $5. The brand Revro was popular for these kinds of tops and skirts.

50s teens clothes

Party Print Dress

For more formal occasions like parties, the Party Print Dress was a popular choice. Made of cotton with a lightly scooped neck and a built-in petticoat, these dresses were priced at around $20. They were often paired with pink pumps for a complete look. The brand Children’s House was known for these dresses.

Fifties teen clothes

Circus Stripes

Circus Stripes outfits were made of cotton woven like linen toweling. These came as cropped jackets priced at $6 and full skirts at $8. A straw gondolier hat often topped off the look. The brand Miss Hene was popular for these types of outfits.

1950s teen dresses

Wide Skirts

Wide skirts were often worn over multiple petticoats and came in unique prints like bananas or stripes. The skirts were priced at around $7, and the matching tops cost about $3. Brands like Mademoiselle Modes and Derby were known for these kinds of outfits.

teen swing skirt

Princess Dress

The Princess Dress was made of rayon linen and was a more formal option suitable for older teens. Priced at $11, these dresses were often accompanied by tote bags that cost around $3. Suzy Brooks was a popular brand for these dresses, while Pyramid was known for the tote bags.

Fifties teen clothes

The 1950s teen fashion was all about expressing individuality within the norms of the time. It was a mix of casual and formal wear, often accessorized with hats, bags, and unique footwear. The prices were relatively affordable, making fashion accessible to the younger generation.

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