The King!

Elvis Presley is recognized by millions as one of the most influential people in music history. Elvis’s influence was so widespread and so profound that many refer to him as the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ roll’. His career included acting, singing, song writing and performing.

Elvis wasn’t always the cool popular boy we usually think of when we think back on the 50’s. He was described in his youth as a “well-mannered and quiet child.” At times he was the target of classmate cruelty. Things were thrown at him because he was different. He stuttered and he was a considered a mama’s boy.

Even when he first started performing in the fifties he was described as a shy, well-mannered, quiet boy. Yet he was an amazing performer. None who talked to him could believe that he was the same guy on the stage singing and dancing in such controversial ways. The reaction of the crowd was something that had never been seen before. Yet, when he first started recording no one looked at him as anything different. Right before his first recording they asked him who he sounded like. His response was, “I don’t sound like nobody.” He soon proved that true and this was the voice and music America had been waiting for.

Elvis’s popularity never seemed to dwindle. He stormed the stages of the world through the 50’s and 60’s and on to our day with that fashion that won him recognition as well as lifted eyebrows. He was an icon for music, performing, as well as men’s fashion. Men and boys alike did everything they could to dress and act like him. The moves on the dance floor were forever changed by what was considered his ‘scandalous’ hip swinging and dancing.

Some may question whether he was better younger or as an older performer. The answer would have to be both. He evolved with the time. When he was younger he was the icon that America needed during their time of change. As he began to develop as a more mature musician he was still shocking us all with his movies and performances. He changed with the time to what his fans wanted. Possibly this is what makes him so timeless in our eyes.

The Immortal Jimmy

James Dean was a huge icon during the 1950s. He had it all going for him, the look and fashion, talent along with a great progressing movie career. His life was cut short at a very young age but this didn’t stop him from being a powerful fifties icon that is still idolized and discussed during our age.

His acting career first started when he appeared in a Pepsi commercial.



Soon after, he quit college to work full time as an actor. He appeared in shows and movies such as Hill Number One, Fixed Bayonets, Sailor Beware and Has Anybody Seen My Gal.

In the fifties his career picked up when he appeared in The Web, studio One, Lux Video Theatre and Omnibus. Omnibus was a stepping-stone for his role in Rebel Without a Cause because he played almost the exact same character.

Rebel Without a Cause (see trailer) was the movie that truly immortalized Jimmy Dean. Every girl in the fifties fell in love with him. Joe Hyams said that Dean was "one of the rare stars, like Rock Hudson and Montgomery Clift, who both men and women find sexy."

He also set a new trend for dress and acting. His fashion statement was nothing more than jeans rolled up, loafers, white shirt and a rugged jacket. This was enough to bring out the usual tread of the ‘greasers’ to the fashion front of the fifties.

Most people didn’t know that Jimmy’s first love wasn’t acting but racing. Following his movie East of Edan, Jimmy was able to buy a Porsche 356 Speedster which he raced frequently. This turned into an obsession with him. In fact, during the filming of the movie Giant, he was banned from racing. They didn’t want anything to prevent the filming of the movie to finish as planned.

He told his close friends soon before his death that he intended to give up acting all together to move forward with his racing career. His friends also record Jimmy as having horrible bi-polar mood swings and severe depression during this time. One close friend stated that during this period he gave away his cat just incase he decided one day not to return home.

Jimmy’s career never proceeded into the sixties. In September of 1955 Jimmy died at the young age of 24 in Cholame, California. He was on his way to race his new Porsche 550 Spyder when he was hit head on by a truck whose driver wasn’t paying attention. Jimmy’s last words were recorded as, “That guy's gotta stop... He'll see us.” Seven days before the accident one friend told him that "If you get in that car, you will be found dead in it by this time next week."

Men's Shoes in the Fifties

Mostly slip-ons or loafers dominated men’s shoes during the 50s. When you had to tie your shoes it usually meant one of two things, it was either a formal event or you were playing a sport. Converse shoes changed some of that. They were considered both sporty and fashionable.

Interesting to note, the famous Chuck Taylor Converse shoes, sometimes called chucks, weren’t very popular when they first came out in the year 1917. They were made in an attempt to be the number one basketball shoe but for the most part they were a failure. It wasn’t until basketball player Chuck Taylor called Converse his number one choice that the demand for Converse went up.

Black was the typically preferred color but soon the demand for other colors and styles came. At one point they even had knee high Converse. During the 50s, Converse ruled the basketball court. It wasn’t until the 1970s that athletes would choose other shoes for basketball.

During the early 50s Converse shoes unveiled their low top. The shoes were no longer just for the basketball court. They became the number one, top selling shoe. Men would wear these for sports, school, hanging out and dates. These came in any color or design. They were also available in leather.

Another popular sports shoe was the Keds. These had a similar design to the Converse shoes. The great thing about Keds is they were not limited to basketball use. These took off and were one of the most popular shoes available until the late 50s when other brands started to come out like Jeepers and PF Flyers.

These and Converse were about 10 dollars during the 50s. Although 10 dollars may seem pretty inexpensive to us, during the 50s that was considered a lot to spend on a pair of athletic shoes.

Both the Converse and Keds were worn with many colored socks and a pair of jeans that were rolled up a few times at the bottom. This was perfect for school or a casual activity.

Loafers were also worn with many different colored socks and a pair of jeans. These were considered stylish both for the young and old.

Oxfords were leather shoes that were very popular for men during this time period. They were considered fairly plain but could be found in all colors and sizes.

Elvis Presley made blue suede shoes a hit. At the time it wasn’t uncommon for them to be worn but such colors as blue would have been worn less frequently. Blue suede became what every guy wanted.

Women's Shoes in the 50's

Women’s shoes and socks of the 50’s were the perfect added touch to complete any outfit. Even now, when dressing up for a sock hop or Halloween you have to have just the right shoes to make the outfit a hit.

Flats as well as heals were in during this time period. Saddle oxfords are the traditional shoes to complete any poodle skirt. These were worn to school or a date. The flair of the poodle skirts and the comfort of saddle oxfords would make it a perfect outfit for any dance as well. Oxfords were white and black. They were best worn with white shoe laces as well.

The ‘ballet’ shoes were flats that were frequently worn to school and church. They were best worn with a pair of white socks with lace that was folded over.

Penny loafers were also a hit during this time period. These were flats worn by both men and women. They are much like the loafers worn today but they had a slit that was located toward the top of the shoe that you could put a penny in. If the shoes were really cool sometimes you could fit a quarter in it.

Many believe that the trademark shoe of the 50’s wasn’t the saddle oxfords but the stiletto-heeled shoe. These were very fist seen at a Dior fashion show in 1952. These shoes were all different colors and heights. They would go up to 5 inches and would be both open toed, close toed or pointy.

Oxfords are different than saddle oxfords. This was another style that was worn by both men and women. These had the same style as the saddle shoe but it didn’t have to be black and white. It was typically leather that could be any color. Some referred to these as Balmorals.

A popular type of high heel was Mary Janes. These came in all different heights and colors. They typically had strap that went over the top of the foot. These were worn almost anywhere: church, parties, dates, sock hops and shopping.

Bobby Socks were very popular in the 50s. This is a trend that was started in the 40’s. This is the name for the socks that fold over and at about the ankle height. Many times these were used for school uniforms. They were also worn with saddle shoes, loafers and oxfords.