Life for teenagers in the 1950s had drastically changed from previous generations. This was because teenagers in the 1950s were enjoying their family’s prosperity and security. The reason for this was that the previous 40 years had been extremely difficult for families due to WW1, the great depression, and WW2. In the generations before the men typically would join the military and the women would usually take care of the household and kids. This was the first time in the century when families were economically secure and teenagers were allowed to go out and get part-time jobs. This increased money and freedom allowed teenagers the opportunity to go out and spend money on things they liked, and for most teenagers this meant clothing. Due to the teenagers of the 50s being born just before the baby boom, they often felt forgotten, and this led these teens to create their self-image. The biggest star in the world during this time was Elvis Presley so this is who these teenagers often looked up to. Life for teenagers in the 1950s revolved around rock and roll, dances, and high school sweethearts. This sudden craze over both rock and roll and Elvis Presley led to the popular ‘biker’ and ‘greaser’ look. Flannel dress shirts were also a big hit in the 1950s, especially in the Fraser Valley and other small towns.
Fashion amongst teenagers grew enormously due to the introduction of a new generation of cinema, television, and music sweeping the country. It finally became acceptable for men to dress for ‘show’ and this was seen with their wardrobes as most teen boys during this period wore tight jeans, blazers, cardigans, and dress shirts.
While the rebellious boys of the group would dress like their favourite rock and roll stars which translated to wearing leather jackets, tight t-shirts, and jeans. If you have ever seen the movie ‘Grease’ this is how most boys wanted to look.
For teenage girls, their clothing choices would be more conservative as they usually tended to wear skirts and dresses in most circumstances. For many girls in high school, a soft sweater paired with a blouse and a long skirt was usually a safe option. As you scroll down you will find pictures of high-school teenagers in Abbotsford showing off some of the styles of their decade.
