Sock Hops, Part 3: Four Steps to Having Fun

Sock hops can be a lot of fun if you follow these 4 simple rules.

1. Dress the part

You are sure to ruin the fun by not taking the time to get all dressed up. Most of the fun is seeing all the different outfits. A lot of conversation is centered on everyone’s outfits and how they got them and designed them.

Also, make sure that the outfit you do pick out is comfortable. You will be dancing and moving around a lot and playing games. If your outfit isn’t comfortable your fun won’t last very long.

It’s important to remember that you will be dancing around in socks so make sure that you don’t care that they get dirty or possibly ruined from the dance floor. If you choose to leave on your shoes make sure that you’ve bought some nice comfy ones like oxfords.

2. Go with people you know and be social

It’s always great to go with friends that you know and are comfortable with. Many times it’s important to get out of that comfort zone and meet new people. At a dance you are either going to want to ask people to dance or dance with others you don’t know. Don’t be shy. Just let loose and have fun getting to know people.

3. Know your 50s music

A huge part of sock hops are the music. If you know some popular 50s music it can make the dances a lot more fun. If you don’t know anything try Googling popular 50s music. Becoming familiar with the music will make the dances more fun as you sing along with your friends or request your favorite songs.



Some great artists of the fifties would include: Bobby Darin, Danny & The Juniors, The Crests, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Little Richard, The Diamonds and Fats Domino.

4. Get out and dance!

A sock hop is all about dancing. If you are insecure about dancing learn some sweet fifties moves before you go. A lot of dance studios will offer fifties dance lessons. They will also have sock hops too. Another options would be to get on the internet and search for fifties dance moves. On YouTube some people have actually posted videos teaching certain fifties dance moves. Your friends and you can practice before you go to make sure that you’re comfortable with the new moves.

Don’t focus on what others are doing, just kick off your shoes and have fun. Sock hops are meant to help people let loose and dance. Don’t ruin it for yourself and your friends by staying on the sidelines.

Sock Hops, Part 2: The Essentials

There are so many things to think about when putting together your own sock hop. In the midst of all the plans and outfits and other stuff, our minds can forget about the most essential things. Just to make your life easier, we’re going to go over the ‘must needs’ for a perfect sock hop party.

Sock Hop Invitations:
When throwing a theme party we first have to make sure that our invitations are consistent with that theme. Our friends need to be able to feel from the invitation what kind of party this is. You can keep it real simple if needs be. Try making your own invitations. They don’t need to be fancy, just fun. Remember to keep with the colors of the 50’s and 60’s, and certain patterns can even bring out that time period. Don’t forget to tell your friends to dress up in their best fifties outfits!

Sock Hop Costume:
When picking out the perfect outfit you’ll need to study up on what was popular. Girls can never go wrong with a classic poodle skirt, poodle top or blouse, crinoline petticoat, saddle oxford shoes, chiffon scarf, cinch belt and cateye glasses. Guys will be able to pull off a nice fifties outfit with a pair of rolled up jeans, white t-shirt, oxford shoes or Converse shoes, leather jacket and greased back hair.

Sock Hop Food:
Don’t forget to serve good ol’ American food. Anything you would find in a malt shop will do. Serving hamburgers, fries and a malt is the perfect 50’s treat. Don’t forget some ice cream in tall serving glasses. These were seen everywhere during the fifties and sixties. If you are having servers, you can have them wear roller skates too. This was very popular at the time.

Sock Hop Music:
Just the right music and decorations are the perfect finishing touches to your party. Stick with the classics that everyone will know. Even throwing in a few modern remakes will liven up the crowd. Some classics of the 50’s and 60’s would be; Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Beatles and The Beach Boys.

Decorations:
For decorations you want to set the scene. Make it look like a malt shop with pictures of the fifties or sixties or a juke box. You can also decorate in flashy bright pinks, seafoam green, and chartreuse. Another idea would be to have 50’s car decorations or posters.

Sock Hop Extras:
Bring in some extra fun with prizes. Give prizes for dancing and dress. You could also have a dance off. Also, many people don’t know how they danced in the fifties and sixties, you can teach different kind of dance moves like the jitterbug and the stroll.

Most of all, remember to just have fun. As the host or hostess you always want to make sure everything is going perfectly and everyone is having fun. Stop worrying and just get out on the dance floor, kick of your shoes and enjoy.

Sock Hops, Part 1: What's a Sock Hop?

Movies depicting the fifties and sixties show fun sock hops with great music, dancing and of course, the latest men and women’s fashion of the day. By the late sixties sock hops started to disappear but recently themed parties and people wanting to relive those happy days have brought them back.

Sock hop dances started out first in high school auditoriums because the teachers didn’t want the students, mostly the young girls, to scratch the wooden floors with their shoes. So, they started asking the students to take off their shoes when they would go out and dance. The young teens would kick off their shoes and dance around in their socks. This started a new cultural trend that lasted all through the 50’s and most of the 60’s.

The name sock hop, or soc hop, was soon a commonly heard name for teen parties. Teens during the 50’s and 60’s were brought together at these parties by their love of the new music appropriately called rock ‘n’ roll. First parents thought the name was derogatory, but soon realized it was a description of dance moves taken on by some of the singers.

Sock hops in many ways were a way for teens to kick off their troubles and get out and enjoy music with their friends. Sock hops were enjoyed mostly at high school auditoriums, then moved to more private parties at homes or at malt shops. Anywhere they wanted a crowd they would advertise for sock hops. Like the young teens of the fifties and sixties, many people today love to relive these parties. Some like the theme, others the fifties and others the fashion. Whatever your reason, you are sure to have fun at a sock hop.

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.