I grew up on tkhe 40's and 50's.

remember bermuda shorts coming into style

and pointy glasses! :)

I remember the long socks with my first pr of bermuda shorts

Roll up some men's jeans to capri length. Wear a simple collared short sleeved or sleeveless blouse. Plain white canvas sneakers (Walmart has them for about 3 dollars) and bobbie socks. If your hair is long enough wear a pony tail tied with a solid colored scarf (preferably chiffon). If you have short hair then tie a scarf around your neck with the knot to one side.

Girls of that era also wore their father's white dress shirts over jeans. So you could go with that but be sure it's over-sized. For a bit extra retro fun take a pen or marker and have the other guests sign your shirt.

I must have been out of the loop, back then, don't remember ever wearing my father's white dress shirt over jeans.

Do remember sleeveless blouses

Maybe it was a California thing Glenda. We've always been more casual and laid back than other areas of the country. Lots of teen fads start here. Now it seems things are pretty much the same everywhere but back then it took a while for the rest of the country to catch up to California casual. Even here the big shirt jeans look would be for at home or with friends. Going out required a more dressed look. Even to a picnic or BBQ.

Google 1950s clothes and you'll get a lot of hits.

I made this exact blouse, in light blue, in a Home Ec class. It had a special pleat in the back. What a chore to iron it!!

Shirley

Here is a link that might be useful: My blouse

I had my 50 year class reunion in '07. I graduated in 1957...we wore men's shirts with the sleeves rolled up...bobby sock and saddle shoes or penny loafers. We wore our jeans rolled up and gauzy neck scarves either around our necks or in our hair...we wore dog collars around our ankles...

The beads we have around our necks are "popit" beads and they were right out of the fifties...my friend on the right had kept them all these years...I think you can still buy something like them at Claire's

gadgets...I made that blouse in HomeEc also :o)

Great picture, maybee

I graduated in 57 as well.

do remember the penny loafers, bobby socks and saddle shoes

Check out this page an the next ones on google.

Here is a link that might be useful: 50's outfits for women

Thanks so much for
all the suggestions and the links...you
are all so helpful!!!!! Gonna be so much fun!!

I am another person who graduated from high school in 1957.
Glenda, my Mom had that pattern you posted and make me the shorts and the blouse.
I had a circle skirt with lots of crinolines.......but I also wore the Levis and white shirt.
We couldn't wear pants to school until is was a special occasion.
Have fun at your party!

check this out....http://www.heyviv.com/

Late 50s make up--lots of eye liner and blue eye shadow. White lipstick or very pale pink. And I remember so many girls would go to class all day with a clippie type thing in their hair holding a spit curl on their cheek. Never understood that one. Pop-it beads were really in!

Guess it depends on what generation in the 50s you want to represent. Could watch "I Love Lucy" for ideas. Check some classic car ads from the 50s - styles changed a lot from early to late 50s. Dobie Gillis would be another show for the younger look. Always liked the Zelda Gilroy and Patty Duke look! There's always the early Elvis (and fan) look. Retro Housewife look, Marilyn Monroe (don't forget to build a platform with a powerful fan underneath!), Dinah Shore, June Cleaver, Violet Rutherford or any other variety of look.

I need to get some Fred Mertz pants!

Cynic....when you get those Fred Mertz pants, I expect to see a picture of you modeling them here on the KT.

Thanks for the morning chuckle.....

Shirley

I totally forgot about pop-it beads. I wore crinolines that my mother starched, and I crunched when I sat down.

Try a full pleated skirt. When I was a teenager in the 50s, I was a sucker for gals in full skirts. To complete the outfit, you'll need white socks, tops rolled down with white and black shoes, or other colors that go with the skirt. A white satiny looking blouse goes well. In cooler weather, you'll need a letter jacket. As for the hair, almost anything goes, but braids work. Bracelets were popular. Bright colors for lipstick - no darks.

Gadgets, the problem is that I fear the belt on the Fred Mertz pants would chaff my nipples! And I don't think he ever wore suspenders. Possibly pens clipped in shirt pockets sufficed?