50 Stunning Pictures That Show What Everyday Life Was Really Like In The 1950s

Arietta, also known as Arietta's Vintage Life on YouTube, created her channel to be a cozy corner of the Internet, where she shares her blend of slow living, timeless style, and creative homemaking inspired by the 1950s.

Over on her channel, she has over 127 videos on vintage sewing, DIY home projects, cottage-style decor (retro charm on a budget!), beauty and self-care routines for women embracing life over 40, reflections on slow mindful living through a 1950s lens, and a little jazz, of course.

Naturally, we were curious to know what sparked her love for this specific decade.

"It began with the Hollywood icons—Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Doris Day. I was mesmerized by their elegance, femininity, and timeless beauty," Arietta told us.

"Even as a child, I aspired to carry myself with that same grace and allure. It was the movies that first opened the door for me. Over time, that love expanded to include the glamorous fashion, the sleek cars, the bold makeup, and the charming architecture. But at its core, it’s always been about aesthetics and style for me."

She started slowly embracing the '50s lifestyle by adding retro-inspired pieces to her wardrobe, wearing red lipstick, and trying vintage hairstyles.

"Over time, my confidence grew, and I eventually embraced a full 1950s style. Now, it’s how I dress every day, everywhere I go. It’s not a costume—it’s just how I express myself. The style makes me feel feminine, powerful, and entirely myself."

Arietta describes the 1950s as a visually polished and stylish decade full of strong silhouettes, impeccable grooming, and a sense of elegance in everyday presentation.

"But I always like to clarify: I celebrate the style, not the values of the era. My motto is “vintage style, not vintage values.” I’m inspired by the glamour—not the societal limitations," she notes.

Besides being very stylish, the 1950s were quite a whirlwind of a decade. It has many names, each reflecting a different facet of society.

One of the names the '50s were called is the Golden Age of Television, as at that time, television was rapidly becoming a central part of American culture. After World War II, television transitioned from being a luxury item to a common household feature. By the end of the 1950s, television had reached 90% of American homes, completely transforming the entertainment industry.

It also fell in the middle of the Atomic Era, or Atomic Age. It started in 1945 with the first detonation of a nuclear weapon in New Mexico. After that, these kinds of weapons continued to be improved, and by the 1950s, the tests had even become a tourist attraction for visitors, especially near Las Vegas. Due to this, it was nicknamed Atomic City, USA. During the testing, the government downplayed the possible danger of nuclear weapon testing, focusing on the patriotic mission of the program.

The Cold War was also happening at the same time, which prompted the need for nuclear weapons. It also gives the 50s the name of the Cold War Era, during which the battle was happening on political, economic, and propaganda fronts, with only limited use of weapons.

The 50s are also named the Rock ’n’ Roll Era, the Baby Boom Era (due to the post-WWII baby boom), the McCarthy Era (referring to anti-communist sentiment in the U.S.), the Eisenhower Era (U.S. president from 1953–1961), and the Suburban Boom Era (due to the mass suburbanization in the U.S.).

Truly, a lot has happened during the 1950s. But what not a lot of people might know about the decade is that it had incredibly detailed fashion, Arietta says.

"People often overlook how incredibly detailed the fashion was—not just in design, but in how women styled themselves daily," she says.

"From matching accessories to carefully maintained hairstyles, everything was curated with intention. There was an art to presenting oneself that I find both empowering and beautiful, even if I reframe it through a modern, feminist lens."

In case you're curious to learn more about the 1950s and how modern life looks inspired by it without subscribing to its outdated ideals, we invite you to check out Arietta's YouTube channel.

"There, I share my journey of embracing 1950s-inspired fashion and femininity, blended with a slower, more mindful way of life. It’s a celebration of beauty, self-expression, and modern empowerment all wrapped in vintage elegance!"