Weird and wonderful trends from the '50s -

They really went too far with the gelatin trend

With every decade marked by crazy trends or timeless fashion statements, the 1950s of course were no exception. In the decade that’s most synonymous with the baby boom, the "fabulous fifties" paved the way for a new era of fashion, lifestyle trends, and entertainment. Our modern culture still has a fascination with the fads and pop sensations from this decade, and while some completely vanished, others are still well known today.

Click on to discover the weird and wonderful trends of the '50s.

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Carhops -

If you wanted a burger and milkshake in the '50s, carhops were the way to go. As customers parked outside the burger joint, waitresses would come over to serve them.

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Hula-hoops -

Invented in the late '50s, hula-hoops quickly became a major craze across the Western world.

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Ducktail haircuts -

Also known as the DA, this male hairstyle saw hair slicked back, along the sides, and parted centrally down the back of the head. It became a stereotypical feature of 1950s rebels.

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Jell-O molds -

In the 1950s, people took a serious interest in encapsulating various foods in gelatin. From desserts to savory dishes, Jell-O molds had to be incorporated.

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Varsity jackets -

Varsity jackets were a popular trend for high school and college kids who wanted to show off the fact that they were a jock, or that they dated one...

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Poodle skirts -

One of the most iconic fashion fads of the '50s, the highly popular poodle skirts were invented by fashion designer Juli Lynne Charlot.

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Sock hops -

Sock hops were informal sponsored dance events for teenagers. Strongly associated with early rock and roll, it got its name because the kids would take off their shoes before dancing.

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Conical bras -

Strongly associated with the era’s standard of feminine beauty, every woman wanted a cone bra in the '50s.

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Beatniks -

Every generation has its counterculture, and the beatniks were the '50s. Mostly dressed in black, the beatniks were typically urban literary intellectuals who subscribed to an anti-materialistic lifestyle.

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Telephone booth stuffing -

This popular activity was very much what it sounds like: college students crammed into a phone booth. Everyone wanted to set a new record for how many could fit.

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Large-brimmed hats -

Bigger and more dramatic than ever, these glamorous toppers became an evening wear staple in the '50s.

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Drive-in movies -

Though the first drive-in movie theater opened in 1933, it wasn't until the 1950s that they caught on among the masses.

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Coonskin caps -

Worn here by Walt Disney and his grandson, coonskin caps were a tribute to the frontiersmen of North America. They were highly popular among boys in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia in the '50s.

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Cat-eye glasses -

The accessory of choice for many young women, cat-eye glasses are so iconic that people wear them today when they go for a retro look.

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Mr. Potato Head -

Invented by George Lerner, the original Mr. Potato Head made his debut as a cereal box promotion designed to get kids to eat their vegetables.

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Gloves -

Formal wear became the norm during this decade, and gloves were an important accessory to finish off the look.

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Saddle shoes -

A bit stiff and clunky, these shoes were an enormously popular style of footwear in the '50s. Worn by both men and women, they're also known as saddle oxfords.

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Fuzzy dice -

Hung on many rearview mirrors in American cars, fuzzy dice were a must-have car accessory.

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Sideburns -

Thanks to Elvis Presley and James Dean, sideburns made a comeback in the 1950s. They became a classic element of the greaser look of the era.

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Tupperware parties -

While the Tupperware was invented by Earl Tupper in 1942, it was only in the '50s when its party phenomena started. Popularized among housewives of the era, a Tupperware party was run by a "consultant" who invited friends and neighbors into her home to see the products.

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Soda fountains -

Dating back to the 1800s, the soda fountain had its boom in the 1950s. Found in pharmacies and drive-in restaurants, these were often the only places in town to find cold drinks and ice cream.

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Gumby -

This beloved green clay character was originally created for the 1953 short film 'Gumbasia,' and later got its own television show, 'The Gumby Show.' In 1955, Gumby toys hit the retail market featuring this bendable figure.

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Television -

In the '50s, televisions became something the average family could afford. Families would get together to watch shows like 'I Love Lucy,' 'The Honeymooners,' and 'Leave It to Beaver.'

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The twist -

From the hand jive to the box-step, a number of popular dances swept through the sock hops of the 1950s. But nothing captured the era's teens quite like the twist.

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Gingham -

Gingham has practically been around forever, but there's something that just screams 1950s with the A-line cuts and the playful pattern.

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Magic 8 Ball -

Originally created as a crystal ball in the 1940s, it was only in the '50s when a Chicago billiards company commissioned it as a promotional tool that the true Magic 8 Ball took off. Before long, kids began using the ball, which contains a floating 20-sided die containing answers to life questions.

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Silk scarves -

A must-have accessory of the era, your wardrobe would have been incomplete without a chic silk scarf.

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Kitten heels -

A chic heel that doesn't hurt your arches? We can all understand why this style became so popular! 

Sources: (History) (Parade) (Hello!)

See also: Hilarious 1950s advice on how to find a husband

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