Written and compiled by Azura Fae. Originally appeared here.
Suzy Parker was a often used model of the 1950's. This is by far my favorite picture
A lovely group of girls.
This one is the Petal Coif
A french twist
So that's all the just hair info and pictures that I rolled up. hehe. Next we go to makeup. These are good hair ones too. They look like some of the pictures of ya'll. Someone has done her home work.
I'm taking the following from http://www.fiftiesweb.com/fashion/makeu
A peaches and cream complexion was the basis of any Fifties makeup look. Applied as either a liquid or as pressed powder, the foundation needed to reflect the soft femininity of the day. Eyebrows were usually narrowed. Blush and eye shadow were minimal and thus, natural looking. Women could get away with a more dramatic look, particularly for evening. Eyeliner was liquid, making a sharp, highly defined contour. It was used primarily on the upper lid.
This is the look that I plan on going with for future occassions. It's just so stunning.
Mmmwahhh! wipe off red lipstick from cheek. There would be a few Marilyn Monroe photos here but, sadly I forgot the dates of them.
So, back to the fashions of the 1950's. Poodle skirts are probably what one automatically thinks of. You know those long circle skirts with the poodle applcay. I hardly think that the entire female population doned one of those every day of the 1950's. You remember how these past few summers we've had our share of 50's inspired dresses, there are plenty others to choose from too. There are 2 main styles that were abundant then and well are still today, one more than the other. The first is the swing skirt. This is a skirt or dress that starts fitted at the waist and flares out from there. It is similar to the poodle in that it is a circle skirt. There is usually more fullness to the swing skirt. The second is a pencil skirt. The idea of the pencil skirt was to provide an hour glass figure. This was worn by older women more than the young.
Swing dresses
This one is the same stlye dress. One lady is wearing a bolero jacket and the other is not.
Pencil dress
A Swing and Pencil style
A Wrap dress was normally worn inside the house. Whoops, I wear mine out.
Next we have the blouses. These range so much that I will let the pictures do the talking.
Skirts, well I know there are more styles than this, ok I don't know. I have tons of vintage patterns that I picked up from http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V
My favorites are the skirts...I'm just nuts about a great skirt. Hem lines fell at or below the knee
Pleated skirt
A few variations on the pencil.
A slightly differnt variation of the swing. This was refered to as a peasant style.
Pant were worn for casual occassion. The 1950's were a more formal time. Pants were more beach and play wear than anything else.
Capris were for adults.
Jeans were for teenagers.
Shorts are for the beach. Look no belly button.
Tapered pants are much like pencil skirts in that they are supposed to give an hour glass figue. I really don't recommend anyone wear them.
I'll leave you with underwear. 
A crinoline for all those swing skirts you know you want now.