Vintage 1950s Pedal Pusher Outfits You’ll Obsess Over
1950s pedal pusher pants outfit inspiration from Old Hollywood, including vintage pedal pusher outfits from Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe.
This post is all about 1950s pedal pushers
Pedal pushers (or what we call capris) were a favorite pant style for women in the 1950s and 1960s.
From the chic everyday housewife, to the fashion icons of the silver screen, ladies in the 1950s & 1950s loved this new “in” pant style.
Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, and Lana Turner were just a few Old Hollywood celebrities who embraced this chic style both on and off screen.
Rumor has it that Mary Tyler Moore’s pant outfits in the popular Dick Van Dyke Show further popularized slim pant styles as the “go to” look in the United States.
Today you’ll get the inside scoop on pedal pushers and 7 style secrets from the 1950s-1960s, so that you too can recreate this vintage modern style that oozes Old Hollywood glam.
What was women’s fashion in the 1950s?
The 1950s fashion aesthetic for women was very feminine, with a defined waist and hourglass silhouette.
Styles that emphasizes the feminine silhouette were so “in”.
Even though dresses were arguably still the norm, even for home (hello, 50s housewife aesthetic), women’s pant styles were becoming more mainstream, like high-waisted jeans, slim fitting pants and capri pants, or pedal pushers.
For more on the different types of 1950s pants:
1950s Women’s Pants Outfits – 7 Chic Vintage Styles
Now, for more about the 1950s pedal pusher styles!
What were they? And how would the Old Hollywood stars style them?
What are Pedal Pusher Pants?
Pedal pushers, popular in the 1950s and early 1960s, were a cropped slim pant with an ultra high waist, full hips, and a tapered leg that typically ended mid calf.
Fun Fact! The German fashion designer, Sonja de Lennart, is credited with inventing them in 1948.
Now, time to turn back the pages of time for the best inspo ever on how to style capri pants (aka pedal pushers) like only Old Hollywood can.
#1: Old Hollywood Inspired Pedal Pushers Outfit Inspiration: “Little Black Pants Outfit”: Go All Black
“Women who wear black lead colorful lives.” – Neiman Marcus
Leave it to the stylish Audrey Hepburn (top left) and violet-eyed Elizabeth Taylor (top right) to show us how the “little black capris” outfit is truly the comfy, yet chic version of the LBD (“little black dress”).
Notice how the plunge back of Audrey’s sweater, and keyhole slit of Elizabeth Taylor’s sweater, each shows a hint of skin.
This creates beautiful flow and interest in the outfit.
This ‘peek a boo’ element is echoed again with the shorter capri length, which highlights a feminine ankle.
To channel this elegant style, pair a figure skimming sweater with 1950s pedal pushers and your favorite shoes.
To get the full vintage vibe make sure your pedal pusher are high waisted, and add a belt to highlight your waist.
For more Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor style:
Love the Audrey Hepburn Aesthetic? Here are 10 Ultra-Chic Outfit Ideas
Lessons in Glamour: The Elizabeth Taylor Style Guide
“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades”. — Audrey Hepburn
#2: Vintage Modern Pedal Pushers Outfit Inspiration: Go All White or Go Monochromatic
A favorite fashion secret from Old Hollywood was to go Monochromatic or go home.
In other words, wear an outfit that is one color or hue.
Notice in each of these looks how the calf-length trousers are high waisted, slim fitting (but not tight), and the waist is emphasized (either with a belt or a peep of skin).
1950s-1960s Pants Style Inspiration – All White Capri Outfit: Natalie Wood Vintage Style
The stunning dark haired Natalie Wood, is equally famous for her iconic films, like Rebel Without a Cause, 1955 and Westside Story (1961), as her mysterious death off a yacht at only 43 years old.
Natalie Wood provides some fabulous Old Hollywood glam inspo for late 1950s style while posing at her Beverly Hills Home in 1957
No wonder she was famous as a dancer in Westside Story.
Check out that perfect pose (and ab burner) over the pool!
Notice how easy it is to glam up this outfit with dramatic eye make-up and a contrasting statement belt, and heels.
1950s Pants Style Inspiration – Monochromatic Outfit: Old Hollywood Inspo from Grace Kelly and Doris Day
Doris Day shows some attitude in her smart pastel monochromatic outfit with capri pants and retro mules. (top left)
Grace Kelly (top right) also stuns in her single color capri outfit, paired with espadrilles in her final movie High Society.
We love how classy and feminine these styles look. Talk about easy to re-create!
Whether it’s Pillow Talk you have in mind, or solving a murder mystery through your Rear Window you’re ready to take on the day in practical style.
Remember: the most important Old Hollywood style secret to recreate this look is to make sure your capri pants are ultra high-waisted.
Pants that hit the natural waist emphasize your female silhouette, and create a more defined waist-to-hip ratio.
To see all of Grace Kelly’s fashion in High Society:
Grace Kelly High Society – Her Insanely Feminine 1950s Fashion
#3: Vintage Modern Capri Pants Outfit Inspiration: Go All Out with Bright Colors
“Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams.” — Paul Gauguin
Like behavior, color is a language.
Use fun, bright, feminine colors to express yourself and your mood.
When it comes to Old Hollywood fashion, and especially the 1950s-1960s fashion, bright colors were a love language, when it came to ladies fashion.
Elizabeth Taylor (top left) absolutely sizzles in this one of a kind feminine vintage capri pant style!
What makes this look so unforgettable?
It’s the unexpected pairing of colors and pieces, coming together that makes it work.
Since purple and yellow are complementary colors (they sit opposite each other on the color wheel), they create a visually striking contrast.
This pairing of colors is also said to evoke a sense of luxury and creativity. Yeah, no kidding!
Similarly Doris Day (top right) also pairs an unexpected vibrant green collared sweater with yellow pedal pushers.
(Since her colors are next to each other on the color wheel, they are analogous colors, because they share a similar hue.)
The result? They are a harmonious combo together.
Style secrets to recreate these vintage modern styles?
Pick pieces that are figure skimming and not boxy.
Make your local tailor your next BFF when it comes to getting your shirts and pants altered to fit your unique frame. (We don’t come out of the box, and neither should our clothes).
Style your hair in feminine waves, add a touch of vintage make-up, a colorful figure enhancing belt, and some chic feminine shoes, and voilà, say hello to your new favorite Old Hollywood inspired outfit.
#4: Old Hollywood Inspired Capri Pants Outfit: Use Color Blocking
Color blocking is another favorite styling secret from Old Hollywood.
Why? It adds add sizzle and interest to capri outfits.
Whether you prefer a more sublet look or more of a bold eye-catching style, you’ll love how this refreshes and brightens your wardrobe.
What is color blocking?
It is pairing (or stacking in ‘blocks”) two colors, using separate pieces, like a top and pants.
Color blocking with black and white pieces was a favorite classy combination for the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.
In one of Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic photoshoots in her backyard in Beverly Hills, (top right) she uses color blocking to make her outfit pop.
We love how simple and chic her outfit is!
Simply pair a black sweater with high waisted white capri pants.
Marilyn Monroe loved her sweater outfits:
33 Bombshell Marilyn Monroe Sweater Outfits from the 1940s – 1960s
1950s pedal pusher pants inspo from lana turner and dorothy malone
Dorothy Malone (top right) and Lana Turner (top left) also stun in almost in white blouses with black pedal pusher pants.
Note how each lady is wearing a white shirt (either button up or a turtleneck) which is paired with high waisted slim fitting capri pants.
Not only is this a chic and comfy style, yet it is so easy to re-create!
(Dorothy Malone wears a fabulous collection of feminine vintage outfits in the romantic drama Written in the Wind, 1956 and loves to use color blocking for her casual style outfits.)
1950s Capri Pants Style Inspiration – Color Blocking Outfit: Style Inspiration from Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Dors
Oh la la, talk about a luxurious and classy capri pant style outfit!
Elizabeth Taylor pairs a stunning white ruffled blouse with black pedal-pushers.
Leave it to Old Hollywood to show us how to turn capris into a formal look!
Again, the high rise styles visually elongate the legs, and beautifully highlight a woman’s curves.
#5: Old Hollywood Inspired Pedal Pushers Outfit: Go Crazy with Plaids
If you’re looking for a bold, but versatile style, you’ll adore plaids.
Both the sex symbol Marilyn Monroe and the fashion icon Audrey Hepburn loved pairing plaid pedal pushers with a classic black or white knit top.
The horizontal and vertical stripes create a checkered design, and changing the widths and colors of these creates patterns that look very different.
Marilyn Monroe’s plaid capris look very vintage in a small plaid style, whereas Audrey Hepburns are more bold and distinctive (and look as though they could match her picnic tablecloth.)
Audrey Hepburn literally models pedal pushers while pushing pedals on her bike on the set of My Fair Lady 1963.
So chic and cute, right?
My only issue with this look is… Audrey’s pooch should be wearing a matching blue-checkered bow.
The white just doesn’t quite cut it.
#6: Old Hollywood Inspired Capri Pant Outfit: Say Yes to the Stripes (Nautical / European Style)
Old Hollywood and ladies in the 1950s-1960s were obsessed with nautical and European inspired styles.
Add classic stripes and pair chic colors (like whites, blues, reds and blacks) and voilà say hello to the vintage nautical style, which evoked thoughts of summertime on the French Riviera.
1950s Capri Pants Style Inspiration – Nautical Outfit: Style Inspiration from Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor
Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe opt for this chic French style as they lounge casually.
Audrey Hepburn opts for a more subtle stripe pattern and pairs this with simple button up and and bright red cardigan. (above)
In contrast, Marilyn Monroe opts for a bold stripe pattern in her casual vacation themed photshoot, which she pairs with a cozy knit. (below)
1950s Pedal Pushers Style Inspiration – Stripes Outfit: Style Inspiration from Gina Lollobrigida
Pedal pusher pants with a wide folded hem were also called “Yachting pants.”
This was just another reference to summertime in Italy.
Add a classic horizontal stripe top and some sandal mules, and talk about an age defying and sexy style!
“A woman at 20 is like ice, at 30 she is warm and at 40 she is hot.” — Gina Lollobrigida
Again, notice the high rise of the capris, belted defined waist, roomier fit in the thighs, and wide cuff on her cropped pants.
#7: Old Hollywood Inspired Capri Pant Outfit: Say Yes to Playful Patterns (& Applique)
Say yes to the playful vintage pattern capri styles, whether chic delicate florals, bright geometrics, or else!
The sexy Betty Brosmer (aka Betty Weider, above) was model and pin-up girl in the 1950s.
After marrying the love of her live in 1961 (Joe Weider, who was a bodybuilder and magazine publisher), she would go onto become a famous bodybuilding and fitness guru.
Talk about an inspiring physique, right?
She sure shows off her toned figure fabulously in her patterned capri pant outfit, paired with a tube top.
Vintage Modern Pants Style Inspiration – Playful Prints: Style Inspiration from Doris Day & Grace Kelly
Doris Day shows how chic and practical pedal pushers are for… literally pushing pedals! (top left)
Doris Day loved riding her bike. This was not only an adventure, but a full body workout.
“My bike is an extension of my body, a part of myself.” — Doris Day
Plus she knew a thing or two about rocking cool athleisure, style while being active
Grace Kelly also opts for pedal pushers at the 1955 Cannes film festival. (top right)
Notice the chic and playful vintage patterns that these ladies are sporting!
These styles are so feminine, fun, and practical for any adventure, whether by foot, bike, or… boat.
Old Hollywood Capri Pants Style Inspiration – Playful Prints: Style Inspiration from Jane Mansfield
And of course if you want to up the spicy factor, while showing less skin, why not throw in a leopard print capri style bottoms?
As Jayne Mansfield poses for a snap on the grounds of the Warner Bros studio with her Chihuahua, this is her chic casual outfit of choice.
(How come I’m suddenly craving Taco Bell? Haha.)
Jayne Mansfield was one of most popular pin-up models of the 1950s.
This post was all about 1950s-1960s capri pant styles and pedal pushers
Which Old Hollywood styles were your favorite?
Any particular colors, or styles catch your attention?
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