1950s Costumes and Outfits of the 1950's

1950's Costume Ideas

You are going to a 1950's party. What a great idea. Now comes the creative part; what will you wear. The 1950's was an era of many great Hollywood and music industry icons so let's start there.

Marilyn Monroe Costumes

The image of Marilyn Monroe's bare shoulders, in a white dress with a plunging neckline and the full pleated skirt billowing up around her waist; her hands holding the dress demurely after those million dollar legs are fully exposed and the white underpants showing is the ultimate 50's costume. Add a thick blond wig, cut just below the chin with bangs falling over one eye and everyone will know who you are. Just remember if you are going in drag to get the underpants right and don't forget the white heels. To perfect the Marilyn look, you should watch, "The Seven Year Itch".

Judy Garland Costume ideas

If you are not tall enough or blonde enough to try Marilyn or Kate remember "A Star Is Born" starring Judy Garland. In 1954 Judy made her comeback often dressed in a long black, slit skirt showing off those great dancer's legs. Her hair was brunette, curly and shoulder length and she often wore it swept up. So if you are making a comeback this is a good look.

Grease Costume Ideas

Grease is the word! In fact it's also a great place for inspiration on fifties clothing. Although made in 1978, the film was based on high school life in the fifties. There's plenty to choose from; cheerleader outfits, the T-Bird leather jacket worn by Danny or Sandy's skin tight black leggings. If you're going as a guy then the hair is easy - Grease it up!

Costumes worn by Katie Hepburn

Katie Hepburn in the 1950's was all about the pants, very high-waisted, sometimes with suspenders and always with wide legs. She was most often seen wearing the pants with a perfectly pressed long sleeve blouse sporting great cuffs and topped the outfit off with a short peplum jacket. Watch the movies, they are all great, the voice and the hair finish the look.

Costumes worn by Marlon Brando

Stella! Stella! Marlon Brando screaming these two words forever made the "wife beater" tee shirt, rumpled khaki pants and black belt, the ultimate street costume. This look still has a place in American culture and is seen on big city streets today. Going to a party and looking like Brando is the hard part, getting the clothes is easy, but if you pull it off, Sexy!

Elvis Jumpsuit Costume

In the 50's there were lots of kings, but there was really only one king, Elvis! Nashville fashion took one huge jump into glitz when Elvis got dressed. Jumpsuits were what mechanics and pilots wore; Elvis changed all that with his powder blue, contrasting stitching, sequined, hip hugging jumpsuits. It is doubtful you have one of these in your closet (if so, it probably wouldn't fit), but costume stores can help you with this. You'll need to work on the moves, the snarl, and the sunglasses to achieve the total Elvis look.

Liberace Sequin Costume

Costume parties are great and wonderful, and one person who had costumes down was Liberace. To look like Liberace all you need to do is look like you have a lot of money and absolutely no inhibitions. Start with a ruffled shirt - ruffles in pink or aqua, add a green or blue suit with all the possible contrasting stitching along seams and sequins. Top all this off with the most luxurious fur you can get and you might be half way there. White shoes and wavy sexy hair will help. The Liberace look requires lots of jewelry, his was real yours can be costume, a visit to a dollar store or a costume shop is in order unless if you have really cool gay friends who will loan you the glitz. Pull it off and you will win the prize or be the most talked about costume at the party.

Buddy Holly Outfit

Big, dark rimmed glasses, a skinny black tie and a skinny suit with the pants too short are the Buddy Holly story. The story was short but electric. The hair and twang will finish off this look. If you have some girth, skip this idea!

The Frank Sinatra Look

Frank Sinatra and the whole Rat Pack group made suits cool. Solid color, custom fit suits or tuxes with satin lapels and a white shirt and skinny tie, or bow tie worn casually to the casino, to the robbery, to the fights or fighting. The Sinatra look jarred American men into the fantasy of beautiful women and high living when the country was recovering from a war. Sinatra was the definition of cool. Sinatra topped his look off with felt or straw hats. You can do Sinatra just remember no pleated pants and don't forget the pocket square.

Grace Kelly Look

"To Catch A Thief" (1955) is probably the most dressed up movie of all time. Grace Kelly in that off the shoulder, white, full length gown defines sex appeal. Wear that dress with a small but elegant stick mask and they will drop at your feet. Cary Grant dressed as the jewel thief in that tight black cat burglary outfit is another good look from "To Catch A Thief." If you dress as Grant the cat burglar and are in good shape both sexes will be chasing you around all night. Check out this movie and learn how to really walk into a costume party.

James Dean Outfit

Baggy jeans, black belt and a white tee-shirt with the sleeves rolled up with a pack of cigarettes is the easiest costume to pull off. If you can look like James Dean, why not and you don't have to spend a lot of money except for the hotel room later.

The Richard Nixon Mask

Masks! This had to be included and only because of Richard Nixon. Although not yet president, he was Vice President during much of the fifties and a promenant political figure throughout. His look was the business suit worn in a sleazy fashion but it will be the Nixon mask that makes the costume. I hope you need the mask, if not, don't go out. Masks are an important element of costume parties and Nixon's mask is one of the most famous of all after all it has even been used as a disguise for robberies.

Getting ready for a 1950's costume party is fun going is more fun. The stars and personalities of the time were the beginning of cool and to pull off their looks requires you to put yourself into the frame of mind of the 1950's -the war is over, boring is gone and life has returned. The 50's were a time to dress up and go out.