Fashion in the 1950s bore strong resemblance from fashion trends of the past decades. While society was more progressive in previous years, this time the 50s marked circumspection, particularly in how people dressed. While women enjoyed a lot of rights such as right to suffrage and work, they preferred to wear dresses manufactured out of lavish materials. Since the industry looked to emphasize trends from past decades, haute couture recovered from its slump. It also led to the arrival of star who became big earners thanks to their exposure to the media.

Parisian haute couture once again became an authority in fashion. Women looked up to three prominent couturiers. One of them was Cristobal Balenciaga, who broadened the shoulders of the silhouette as well as designed the , one of the trendy items in the '50s. Hubert de Givenchy was the brain behind the separates, of which clothes can be mixed and coordinated at will. Pierre Balmain is credited for the New Look, one of the more defining styles of the decade. He also created a RTW called Florilege, while creating a number of successful perfumes.

The '50s also marked the return of popular designer Coco Chanel. She launched a collection that would soon become popular among women. The collection included braided suit, silk blouses, and complemented by shiny jewelry.

Mass manufactured clothing also became more popular during this decade. Europeans adapted the American way of clothing, which was characterized by broad shouldered shirts and straight-legged pants.