I Dressed Like a 1950s Man for a Week, Here's What Happened

Summary

The host spent a week adopting 1950s men’s style and grooming, exploring how dressing more formally affected his confidence and how people responded to him. He contrasts the era’s emphasis on looking presentable with modern casual dress, while noting that jeans, Harrington jackets, and other relaxed styles were also part of 1950s fashion.

Grooming and daily routine

For a close shave, he found this routine especially effective:

1. Take a hot shower.
2. Apply shaving soap or cream with a brush.
3. Shave with a double-edged safety razor.
4. Finish with aftershave.

He styled his hair with Vitalis hair tonic and Brylcreem, applying a small amount to slightly damp hair and combing it back or into a part. His routine also included making the bed, eating scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast, ironing his clothes, and polishing his shoes.

Clothing and style tips

His outfits featured high-waisted, pleated trousers; button-down shirts; ties; suits; loafers or boots; and accessories such as fedoras, tie bars, scarves, and trench coats.

He learned that trousers traditionally sat at the natural waist, around the navel, and that a loose, full cut allowed more movement. He advises choosing either a belt or suspenders—not both—and wearing socks high enough that bare skin does not show when trouser legs ride up. Historical accessories included sock garters and shirt stays.

For suit fit, the shirt cuff should show about half an inch beyond the jacket sleeve, and the jacket should end around the bottom edge of the thumb. His second-hand suit looked good but would have benefited from tailoring. He also demonstrates three tie knots: the four-in-hand, half Windsor, and Windsor.

He describes several broad 1950s style categories:

• Formal: Suits, ties, dress shoes, and button-down shirts. Interchangeable jackets, trousers, and ties offered variety.
• Smart casual: Collared shirts worn without ties, polos, and short-sleeved shirts, with cardigans or Harrington jackets for cooler weather.
• Workwear: Jeans, leather boots, white T-shirts, and chambray shirts.
• Western: Jeans, boots, plaid shirts, and cowboy hats.
• Sportswear: Simple cotton T-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants.

His vintage-shopping tip is to look beyond popular thrift shops: less well-known second-hand stores may have a better selection. He found vintage and thrift stores useful for locating period pieces and similar styles.

The experience

The host and his partner dressed up for a day in the city and received compliments and friendly attention. He says taking more care with his appearance made him feel better and inspired him to put more effort into everyday outfits. He challenges viewers to wear their best clothes—even for an ordinary errand—and see how it feels.

He also connects presentation with confidence and self-care, mentioning the Buff fitness app as a way to track workouts, follow programs, and stay motivated. The video ends with a behind-the-scenes account of his research, filming, and editing, along with advice to start making videos with a phone and film more footage than you think you need.

Notable locations, products, and people

Vintage and thrift stores; Goodwill; St. Vincent de Paul; the city outing; Aqua Velva aftershave; Vitalis hair tonic; Brylcreem; the Buff fitness app; Levi’s 501 XX and Lee 101 Z Riders; the host; his partner, Mikaela; and his brother, Hudson.