Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is an electrifying musical memoir that recounts the iconic rocker’s meteoric rise to fame from 1956 to 1959. For every Friday performance during the run, we invite audiences to dress up in their favorite retro ensemble inspired by Holly and his contemporaries! Not sure how to start assembling your outfit? Take a look at some of our sartorial suggestions to help you get into the groove for this sensational musical. 

Flashback to the Fifties

American fashion in the 1950s was defined by conservative sensibilities, leisurely lifestyles and occasional moments of glamour. It was the decade that introduced Christian Dior’s ultra-feminine “new look” dress silhouette, the clean-cut business man’s style, and the new teenage aesthetics of all-American prep and rebellious greaser. Colors all over the spectrum were embraced, and patterns like stripes, gingham, florals, plaid and polka dots were everywhere. The decade celebrated fashion as not only a luxury but a means of identity and status. 

Ladies' Fashion

Think: chic, sophisticated, elegant and feminine.

Typical ladies’ fashion was divided into three main styles: house dresses/ensembles, party/cocktail dresses and evening dresses. For Flashback Fridays, we recommend donning a party dress that looks stylish and put together, while still allowing you the comfort of having a good time at the show. 

Attire

• Knee-length swing dress (or skirt) with a crinoline petticoat for extra volume
• Collar-less dress with a scoop or V-shaped neckline 
• Tea-length sheath dress
• Knee-length "wiggle dress" that emphasizes curves, no matter your shape

Accessories

• Stiletto heels
• Small handbag that matches your shoes or hat
• Matching jewelry, including clip-on earrings, necklace and bracelet
• Statement-making pillbox hat or tilt hat — netting optional!

Hair and Makeup

• Bold red lipstick and long eyelashes
• For longer hair: a voluminous bouffant (or beehive)
• For shorter hair: a curly coif
  

Men's Fashion

Think: clean, traditional, and casual yet put together.

In the decade following World War II, men returned to the workplace in droves, and the fashion followed suit — literally. Professional style favored a comfortable suit in neutral colors, or a sport coat over a collared shirt and sweater vest. For Flashback Fridays, however, we recommend opting for leisure wear, as men of the decade would have preferred a casual get-up for social events. In these settings, men drifted away from the stuffiness of muted hues in favor of vibrant colors and patterns.

Attire

• Button-up sweater cardigan
• Knit collared shirt
• Polo shirt with a sport coat in a bold color (or patterns like stripes and plaid)
• Casual slacks

Accessories

• Fedora hat
• Black, or brown leather shoes — make sure they're polished and shiny!

Hair

• Well-groomed, cleanly cut hair style
• Clean-shaven face
  

Teen Fashion

The 1950s saw the birth of the “American teenager.” Young adults of this era carved out a formative period of their lives to focus on high school, socializing and entertainment, while delaying the inevitability of adulthood. Quintessential archetypes you may be familiar with include the “all-American prep” and the “teenage rebel/greaser.” See which style you feel drawn to for Flashback Fridays in these suggestions below.  

All-American Prep
Think: preppy, conservative, wholesome and approachable.

Attire

• Girls
  • Matching sweater set with sweater clip
  • Circle skirt with a novelty applique (like a poodle) and crinoline petticoat for volume
• Boys
  • Casual slacks
  • Knit polo t-shirt in a vibrant color or pattern
  • Varsity sweater or jacket

Accessories

• Girls
  • Kitten heels or ballet flats
  • Two-tone saddle shoes with white socks
  • Wide, waist-cinching belt
• Boys
  • Class ring

Hair and Makeup

• Girls
  • Low-key makeup with light rouge
  • For longer hair: a curled ponytail
  • For shorter hair: a curly coif
• Boys
  • Short, clean-cut hair style
    

Teenage Rebel/GreaserThink: hip, cool, relaxed and confident. 

Attire

• Girls
  • Form-fitting, off-the-shoulder sweater
  • Knee-length, form-fitting skirt
  • Pedal-pusher pants
• Boys
  • Dark blue jeans, cuffed at the ankle
  • Clean white t-shirt
  • Black leather motorcycle jacket

Accessories

• Girls
  • Clip-on hoop earrings
  • Lightweight scarf
• Boys
  • Converse sneakers or motorcycle boots
  • Black hair comb — with an extra jar of grease, just in case you need to touch up your 'do!

Hair and Makeup

• Girls
  • For long hair: a voluminous bouffant (or beehive)
  • For short hair: Tight curls
• Boys
  • Pompadour — slicked back on the sides with volume on top

Flashback Fridays for Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story take place on Fridays, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7, and Feb. 14. Be sure to snap a picture of your ensemble and tag us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! To snag tickets to Buddy and to learn more about the production, visit our production detail page. 

Photo of Dean Elliott by John Persson. Photo of Lee Ormsby, Dean Elliott and Miguel Angel by Johan Persson.