One of the key pieces of the fifties is the Corolla dress : a tight bust and an oversize petticoat. The French couturier Christian Dior created the Corolla dress ; it belongs to the “New Look” style. In 1954, Dior presented the “H-line” : a silhouette relatively straight from the shoulders to the hips. It was a sheath dress with a scoop neck and a dropped waist. In 1958, Yves Saint Laurent for Dior launched the trapeze dress : a fitted top just under the bust and flared out in a slim A line to the knee.
Besides, during the fifties, the floral, tropical, plaid, polka dot, gingham check and stripe patterns were very used . Another key piece of the 1950s is the shirtwaist dress : a fitted button-down top ending at the waist and a full skirt. The bell shape dress was also a trend in the 50’s : a tailored and fitted bodice and a skirt started at the waist, puffed out around the hips, and then fitted at the calf, creating a bell-shaped skirt.
Sources : http://www.marieclaire.fr/,les-looks-des-annees-50,706684.asp ; http://vintagedancer.com/1950s/1950s-dress-styles/ and http://www.retrowaste.com/1950s/fashion-in-the-1950s/