1950s Wedding Dresses

A 1950s must-have: a stunning floor-length dress with a flattering tight bodice, a playful flared skirt, and a stylish high waist that accentuates your figure.

Bridal gowns in the 1950s were frequently floor-length and fashioned from expensive materials like satin, taffeta, and lace. The dresses’ signature design was a tight bodice paired with a flared skirt and a high waist. Crinolines and petticoats were commonly used to create the dramatic full skirt. The gowns typically have high necklines with sweetheart or off-the-shoulder necklines.

Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding dress to Prince Philip in 1947 is one of the most iconic bridal gowns of the era. The gown had long sleeves, a fitted bodice, and a voluminous skirt; it was designed by Norman Hartnell. The silk robe was adorned with elaborate beadwork and embroidery.

Jacqueline Bouvier’s gown from her marriage to John F. Kennedy in 1953 is another iconic wedding dress from that era. The dress had a bouffant skirt, a fitted bodice, and a portrait neckline; it was created by Ann Lowe and constructed of ivory taffeta. The dress has a peplum waist and a long train as an accessory.

Retro bridal gowns from the ’50s are having a moment. This is seen in the rise in demand for retro-style wedding dresses and the prevalence of sweetheart necklines and voluminous skirts in modern bridal fashion.

Recently, there have been a number of high-profile weddings where the bride wore a dress reminiscent of those worn in the 1950s. For instance, actress Meghan Markle wore a Givenchy dress by Clare Waight Keller at her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. This dress was a throwback to the traditional 1950s shape, with its fitted bodice, long skirt, and boatneck neckline.

1950s Wedding Dress by Pierre Balmain

Designed (French, 1914–1982) Worn by Mrs. Douglas J. Cooper (Diene Pitcairn)
Pierre Balmain, known for his grand evening wear and royal clients, believed elegance could be achieved only through simplicity. Here, bias-cut fluid chiffon is softly ruched around the neckline and flows from the shoulders into a train, contrasting with shaped vertical panels of a stiffer silk and silver damask that accentuate the slender waist and then form the bell-shaped, trained skirt.
Object Details
Titles: Woman’s Wedding Dress
Date: c. 1959
Artists: Designed by Pierre Balmain (French, 1914–1982) Worn by Mrs. Douglas J. Cooper (Diene Pitcairn)
Medium: Silk and metallic damask complex weave, silk chiffon
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Douglas Cooper, 1974

In general, bridal gowns from the 1950s are recognizable by their delicate silhouettes, sumptuous fabrics, and elaborate embellishments. These gowns have stood the test of time and continue to motivate today’s bridal fashion. Dresses worn by royalty and celebrities on their wedding day in the 1950s, such as Queen Elizabeth II’s and Jacqueline Bouvier’s, have become fashion icons.

Curious about the timeless allure of 1950s bridal fashion?

Dive into our exclusive feature, ‘Iconic 1950s Wedding Dresses: Vintage Inspiration for Your Modern Bridal Look’, and uncover how to bring classic elegance and vintage charm to your wedding day ensemble. Don’t miss out!