In 1955, the secret to a polished woman´s appearance was in the accessories: the gloves, handbags, hats, and touches that made an outfit feel complete. Whether she was going to church on Sunday, shopping, attending a dinner party, or meeting friends for lunch, a woman’s accessories helped communicate her personal style and attention to detail.
Influenced by Hollywood glamour, women selected accessories to complement their clothes rather than compete with them. Here are 15 accessories that capture the timeless charm of dressing up in 1955.
1. White Gloves
Made from cotton or nylon, they were worn with dresses, suits, and dress coats for occasions that needed a refined appearance. Short gloves were suitable for daytime activities, while longer styles complemented more formal outfits.
2. Handbag
A handbag was a practical necessity for carrying a wallet, handkerchief, keys, and other everyday essentials. Colors such as black, brown, navy, beige, and cream made handbags easy to coordinate with different outfits. Some women matched their bags to their shoes, while others chose a contrasting color.
3. Pearl Necklaces
Pearls were a classic choice for women who wanted to look elegant without wearing elaborate jewelry. A single strand of pearls could complement a shirtwaist dress, a tailored suit, or a blouse and skirt. Genuine pearls were expensive, but imitation pearls made the look accessible to a much wider audience.
4. Matching Gloves & Handbag
A woman might choose gloves and a handbag in the same shade, creating a harmonious combination. Black accessories offered a practical option for darker outfits, while white, beige, and pastel pieces worked perfectly with lighter spring and summer clothes.
5. A Hat
Hats were a familiar part of women’s public wardrobes in 1955, especially used for church. Small pillbox hats, berets, shallow-brimmed designs, and decorative cocktail hats offered different ways to finish an outfit.
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6. A Decorative Brooch
A brooch could transform a plain jacket or cardigan into something more distinctive. Women pinned decorative pieces near the neckline, on a lapel, or at the shoulder. A brooch could carry sentimental value, particularly if it had been given as a gift or passed down through the family.
7. Clip-On Earrings
Clip-on earrings were useful for women who did not have pierced ears. They allowed wearers to enjoy the look of pearls, gold-tone designs, and decorative drops without needing pierced earlobes. Long sparkling designs were suitable for parties and evening events.
8. A Slim Leather Belt
Belts helped emphasize the waist, an important feature of many 1950s dress silhouettes. A leather belt could define the shape of a shirtwaist dress, coordinate with a skirt and blouse, or bring structure to a cardigan worn over a dress.
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9. A Silk
A lightweight scarf was a versatile accessory that could be worn in different ways. Women tied scarves around their necks, tucked them into coat collars, or used them to add color to a simple blouse. Floral prints, polka dots, geometric patterns, and colorful designs suited the decade’s fashion.
10. Classic Pumps
Pumps were essential shoes for many women dressing for work, social occasions, or a day out. Mid-1950s styles often featured rounded or pointed toes, closed fronts, and moderate heels. Heel shapes and heights varied.
11. A Small Powder Case
A small powder compact was a familiar item in many women’s handbags. It allowed a woman to touch up her makeup during the day, before a social engagement or after spending time outside. Together with a lipstick and a handkerchief, a compact was part of the personal-care kit many women carried after leaving home.
12. Rhinestone Bracelet
Bracelets added a little sparkle without making an outfit look overly elaborate. A single strand of pearls or a rhinestone bracelet could perfectly accompany a dress. Costume jewelry offered fashionable designs at more affordable prices than precious stones and fine metals.
13. A Decorative Hair Accessory
Hair accessories helped maintain the arranged hairstyles associated with many mid-1950s looks. Women used barrettes, combs, clips, ribbons, and pins to secure their hair or add a small ornamental detail. A woman with an updo might use a comb, while a woman wearing a shorter hairstyle could choose a clip or barrette.
14. A Coat or Capelet
Outerwear was just as important as the dress underneath. A well-cut coat, a short jacket, or a decorative capelet helped complete an outfit when the weather was cool.
15. A Wristwatch
A wristwatch combined practicality with elegance. Women in 1955 often wore small watches with slim leather straps or decorative bracelet bands. Fancier versions featured tiny rhinestones or engraved details, allowing the watch to function like a piece of jewelry while at the same time helping its wearer keep track of the time.
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