The 1950s did not abandon the hairstyles of the previous decades so much as soften and refine them. Many of the shoulder-length looks of the 1930s and 1940s were simply allowed to grow longer, while the wave pattern itself became broader, looser, and less visibly “set.” At the same time, the practical curls of the wartime years did not vanish overnight—short, controlled curls remained common in everyday wear, especially in the early 1950s, before gradually giving way to rounder, more overtly glamorous shapes as the decade progressed.
As post-war life became more comfortable and consumer-driven, hair moved away from strict practicality and toward polish, femininity, and ease. Familiar Hollywood silhouettes were reimagined with a lighter finish: softer curls, smoother shine, and gentle lift at the crown. The result was a decade defined by continuity rather than rupture—recognisable shapes, made more luxurious.
The Defining 1950s Looks
-
Short, Soft Wavy Bobs
Marilyn Monroe, 1953 — Hollywood glamour didn’t disappear in the 1950s—it softened. Waves were shaped into rounded, brushed patterns on shorter or visually shortened hair, with shine and face-framing control rather than long, flowing length. The effect was smoother and more wearable, shifting attention from visible length to polished shape. Cut to chin or neck length and styled into soft waves, this look offered glamour without heaviness. Unlike the tighter curls of the 1940s, 1950s waves were fluid and rounded, relying on direction and shine rather than visible curl structure—making it one of the decade’s most recognisable silhouettes.
-
Ponytails
Audrey Hepburn, 1956 — Youth culture brought casual hair into the spotlight. The ponytail became a simple, confident everyday style, worn either high or set low at the nape, typically kept short to mid-length rather than long. It was often finished with a scarf or ribbon and kept smooth through the lengths, with ends curled or softly waved to maintain a neat, rounded finish. While ponytails continued into the following decade, the 1950s version remained controlled and polished, favouring softness over statement.
-
Bettie Page's Hairstyle (Pin-Up Icon)
Bettie Page, 1950 — If modern “pin-up hair” has a single shorthand, it’s the Bettie Page look: a heavy, straight fringe paired with long, dark waves. This wasn’t the most typical everyday hairstyle of the 1950s, but within pin-up culture it became instantly recognisable—graphic, bold, and deliberately stylised. The fringe itself was not new; blunt bangs had appeared in the 1930s, often worn with sleek or waved lengths. Bettie Page’s consistency brought that earlier element back into focus, and over time her fringe became a strong visual signal for pin-up itself.
-
Fringes (Micro-Bangs) — Graphic Pin-Up Meets Old Hollywood
Audrey Hepburn, 1954 — The 1950s fringe is one of the clearest “pin-up signals” in vintage hair, but it’s also a great example of eras borrowing from each other. The bold, straight, graphic bang draws on earlier decades—especially the clean, shaped fringes seen in 1930s styling—then gets amplified in 1950s pin-up culture into something instantly recognisable. Worn with soft waves, polished lengths or a neat pixie-bob, it reads playful, deliberate, and camera-ready.
Shop the Era
The 1950s blended continuity with change. Familiar shapes from the 1930s and 1940s were softened and refined, while new approaches to volume and texture signalled the glamour to come. From relaxed Hollywood waves to rounded curls and youthful ponytails, 1950s hairstyles capture a decade of polish, comfort, and evolving femininity.