45 Beautiful Color Photos Showcasing ’50s Women’s Casual Style

In the 1950s, women’s casual wear reflected the era’s emphasis on femininity, neatness, and structure, even in relaxed settings.

Common casual outfits included fitted blouses with Peter Pan collars or sleeveless button-down shirts, often tucked into high-waisted bottoms. Patterns like gingham, polka dots, and florals were especially popular. Capri pants and pedal pushers—slim, cropped trousers—offered a more practical, sporty alternative to skirts. Circle skirts and poodle skirts, often knee-length and full, were worn with tucked-in tops or lightweight sweaters. Twin sets—matching cardigan and pullover sweaters—were a popular choice for a polished daytime look. The shirtwaist dress, with its tailored bodice and full skirt, was another staple of casual daywear, often belted to emphasize the waist.

Accessories were minimal but deliberate: simple flats or saddle shoes, short gloves, and cat-eye sunglasses completed many casual ensembles. These beautiful color photos were found by daves_archive that show what women looked like from the 1950s.