On Monday evening, the biggest names in fashion will gather in New York City for the annual Met Gala. With the documentaryThe First Monday in May having recently shed light on the gala’s behind-the-scenes elements, the world is sure to be paying as much attention as ever to the looks that come down the red carpet. And the celebrity invitees are sure to take their own stabs at interpreting this year’s theme—”fashion in an age of technology“—with futuristic looks.
But, even as designers look to the future, it’s worth remembering that today’s fashions are never truly divorced from those of the past. With that in mind, take a look back at the fashions of the 1950s, as shown on the cover of LIFE Magazine.
Throughout the decade, the magazine traced the evolution of fashion from demure tailored shirts and classic beach looks to casual college trends and elegant evening wear. (And, of course, “canasta pajamas.”) For those whose preferred looks are less sci-fi and more retro, the photographs can be a trove of inspiration.
Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.
January 23, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine.Gordon Parks—LIFE MagazineMarch 13, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine.Gjon Mili—LIFE MagazineApril 24, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine.Milton H. Greene—LIFE MagazineMay 15, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine.Nina Leen—LIFE MagazineJune 19, 1950 issue of LIFE magazine.Nina Leen—LIFE MagazineSeptember 11, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine.Nina Leen—LIFE MagazineOctober 30, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine.Martha Holmes—LIFE MagazineFebruary 12, 1951 cover of LIFE magazine.Milton H. Greene—LIFE MagazineMarch 5, 1951 cover of LIFE magazine.Gordon Parks—LIFE MagazineMay 21, 1951 cover of LIFE magazine.Milton H. Greene—LIFE MagazineDecember 3, 1951 cover of LIFE magazine.Sharland—LIFE MagazineJanuary 7, 1952 cover of LIFE magazine.Nina Leen—LIFE MagazineFebruary 25, 1952 issue of LIFE magazine.Nina Leen—LIFE MagazineApril 14, 1952 issue of LIFE magazine.Mark Shaw—LIFE MagazineJune 2, 1952 issue of LIFE magazine.Mark Shaw—LIFE MagazineJune 23, 1952 issue of LIFE magazine.Christa—LIFE MagazineAugust 25, 1952 issue of LIFE magazine.John Raymond Solowinski—LIFE MagazineSeptember 8, 1952 issue of LIFE magazine.Milton H. Greene—LIFE MagazineNovember 24, 1952 issue of LIFE magazine.Milton H. Greene—LIFE MagazineJanuary 26, 1953 issue of LIFE magazine.Lisa Larsen—LIFE MagazineMarch 9, 1953 issue of LIFE magazine.Philippe Halsman—LIFE MagazineMay 11, 1953 issue of LIFE magazine.Milton H. Greene—LIFE MagazineJuly 27, 1953 issue of LIFE magazine.William Helburn—LIFE MagazineOctober 12, 1953 issue of LIFE magazine.Sharland—LIFE MagazineDecember 21, 1953 issue of LIFE magazine.Sharland—LIFE MagazineFebruary 1, 1954 issue of LIFE magazine.William Helburn—LIFE MagazineApril 12, 1954 issue of LIFE magazine.Mark Shaw—LIFE MagazineJune 14, 1954 issue of LIFE magazine.Christa—LIFE MagazineJune 28, 1954 issue of LIFE magazine.Paul Himmel—LIFE MagazineMay 16, 1955 issue of LIFE magazine.Mark Shaw—LIFE MagazineSeptember 5, 1955 issue of LIFE magazine.Mark Shaw—LIFE MagazineDecember 5, 1955 issue of LIFE magazine.Mark Shaw—LIFE MagazineJanuary 9, 1956 issue of LIFE magazine.Mark Shaw—LIFE MagazineMay 14, 1956 issue of LIFE magazine.Mark Shaw—LIFE MagazineSeptember 23, 1957 issue of LIFE magazine.Milton H. Greene—LIFE MagazineJanuary 27, 1958 issue of LIFE magazine.Loomis Dean—LIFE MagazineMarch 11, 1958 issue of LIFE magazine.William Helburn—LIFE MagazineAugust 11, 1958 issue of LIFE magazine.Paul Schutzer—LIFE MagazineMarch 2, 1959 issue of LIFE magazine.Milton H. Greene—LIFE MagazineNovember 16, 1959 issue of LIFE magazine.Jack Robinson—LIFE Magazine
