How to get retro right – A modern fashion guide based on style from the 1950s

What decade was the coolest?

Sure you might argue the 60s were swinging, and the 70s had that uptown funk, but it was the 50s that saw the birth of cool. Okay, so maybe not 1950s Ireland, but across the Atlantic things were getting a whole lot cooler. The war was over. James Dean was a Rebel Without a Cause. Marlon Brando was The Wild One. Elvis was a Hound Dog. It was a cool time to be alive. The style of the 1950s relected the youth, and the era of Rebellion.This attitude lives on today. Musicans like Alex Turner of  Arctic Monkeys, and The Strokes' frontman, Julian Casablancas, have embraced the IDGAF spirit of the 50s in their personal style. When taking style cues from generations past, its easy to go overboard, and end up looking like you're off to a fancy dress. We've selected the key elements of 50's style to incorporate into your wardrobe. More James Dean. Less Danny Zucko. The Biker Any respectable 50s greaser would have had a leather biker jacket. Select a genuine leather jacket, it'll cost more, but if you take care of it, it'll last you years. Keep it casual with jeans and a white t-shirt. The Bomber The bomber jacket has made a big comeback recently, and bang on trend right now, so make sure you wear it right. Bomber jackets are cropped shorter than your regular jacket, so they're a great style option for shorter men. Bomber jackets come in a great variety of materials too. Go sporty with a cotton bomber, or choose dark suedes and leather for a more formal option. The Porkpie It takes a certain man to pull off a hat, and it takes an even braver man to pull off the porkpie hat. This is one 50s style we would suggest you avoid. The Roll Up The 50s was the era of 'mend and make do'. Clothing was expensive, so if a pair of jeans didn't fit, you rolled them up. This turned up trend continues today, and is an easy way to add a 50s touch to any pair of jeans or chinos. Article brought to you by Zaconey- American Spirit, bottled.