1. Compact Mirrors
If you were a woman in the ’50s, chances are you had a compact mirror tucked into your purse at all times. These little cases often held pressed powder too, so they were handy for touching up makeup between the office, dinner, and the dance floor. Many of them were decorated with ornate designs, initials, or even rhinestones, making them feel like tiny works of art.
Even women who didn’t wear much makeup liked to carry them because mirrors weren’t always easy to find in public restrooms. A quick peek in a compact could save you from walking around with lipstick on your teeth or hair out of place. They were as much about presentation as practicality, and they became a symbol of feminine grace.
2. Handkerchiefs
Handkerchiefs weren’t just for sneezes, they were an everyday necessity. Men kept them folded neatly in jacket pockets, while women often carried more decorative versions embroidered with flowers or lace. Offering a handkerchief was even seen as a polite gesture, whether someone was crying at the movies or coughing on a crowded bus.
Unlike today’s disposable tissues, handkerchiefs were washed and reused, which meant people had entire collections of them. Mothers often slipped a clean one into their children’s pockets before school. It was one of those items that said you were prepared for whatever the day might throw at you.
3. Cigarette Cases
Cigarettes were everywhere in the ’50s, and people treated them almost like accessories. Instead of crumpled paper packs, many carried sleek metal cases that opened with a satisfying snap. These cases often held just enough for the day, and some were engraved with initials or gifted for special occasions.
Pulling out a cigarette case in public wasn’t just about smoking, it was about style. Hollywood icons did it on screen, and regular folks copied the look. Even people who didn’t smoke often had lighters handy because someone always seemed to need one.
4. Calling Cards
Before cell phones and quick texts, calling cards were the polite way to leave your information. They were small, elegant cards with just your name, sometimes an address or phone number, depending on the person’s status. When you stopped by someone’s house and they weren’t home, you left a card to show you had called.
For women especially, handing out a calling card was a way to make social introductions without being too forward. They were a mark of etiquette, and people often carried little cases just to keep them tidy. Today, they seem old-fashioned, but back then, they were as necessary as having a contact saved in your phone.
5. Coin Purses
With payphones, vending machines, and buses all running on coins, a small coin purse was a must. They came in all shapes and sizes, from simple leather pouches to clasped vinyl ones that snapped open with a squeeze. Kids often had them too, filled with change for candy or soda after school.
Unlike wallets, which were bulkier, coin purses fit neatly in a pocket or handbag. Many women had one just for bus fare so they didn’t have to dig through their larger purses. For men, a small leather coin holder meant they weren’t jangling down the street with loose change.
6. Pocket Combs
A tidy appearance was everything in the ’50s, and pocket combs were the secret weapon. Men slicked back their hair with pomade, but that style needed frequent maintenance. You could spot guys pulling out their combs in diners or on street corners, running them through their hair to keep it neat.
Women carried combs too, especially with all the teased and sprayed hairstyles that needed a touch-up on the go. Many came with a little protective sleeve so they wouldn’t snag on things in a purse or pocket. It was almost second nature to check your hair with a quick comb-through before walking into a room.
7. Gloves
Gloves weren’t just for winter warmth, they were part of everyday fashion. Women wore them with dresses, whether going shopping or attending church, and they often kept a spare pair in their handbags. Men, too, carried leather driving gloves for practical and stylish reasons.
They signified polish and manners, and leaving the house without gloves could feel incomplete. Even in warm weather, light cotton gloves were popular for women. Today they might seem unnecessary, but back then, gloves were as much a part of your outfit as shoes.
8. Matchbooks
Matchbooks were everywhere in the ’50s, often handed out free at restaurants, bars, and gas stations. People collected them the way we collect business cards or fridge magnets now. They were not only for lighting cigarettes but also candles, fireplaces, or even the stove if the pilot light went out.
Many folks carried a few matchbooks at all times, and they doubled as little notepads for jotting down phone numbers or reminders. Advertising on matchbooks made them a kind of mini billboard in your pocket. Even non-smokers often had one tucked away just in case.
9. Sewing Kits
Accidents with buttons and hems happened often, and people preferred to be ready. Tiny sewing kits, often called “sewing notions,” came in compact cases with a few needles, thread, and maybe a small pair of scissors. They were popular travel souvenirs too, especially from hotels.
Women especially kept them handy for mending stockings or repairing a loose seam. Even men found them useful, particularly soldiers or travelers. In a time when clothes were mended instead of tossed, these kits were lifesavers.
10. Roller Skate Keys
For kids and teens in the ’50s, roller skates that clamped onto your shoes were the norm. But to make them fit, you needed a special skate key. Without it, you couldn’t tighten the skates, so kids often wore the key on a string around their necks or kept it in their pocket.
It became such a common item that nearly every household with children had at least one lying around. Parents carried them too, since kids often lost track of theirs. For many, the little metal key is one of the strongest symbols of childhood in that decade.
11. Fountain Pens
Even though ballpoint pens were starting to catch on, many people in the ’50s still swore by fountain pens. They were a mark of refinement, and often came with refillable ink cartridges. Businessmen, students, and even housewives making lists often carried one clipped neatly inside a pocket or handbag.
Fountain pens were sometimes given as graduation or work gifts, engraved with initials. They required a bit more care than today’s throwaway pens, but people valued them for their elegance. Having a good pen was part of looking professional and put-together.
12. Flashbulbs for Cameras
Photography was booming in the ’50s, but cameras weren’t quite as simple as pulling out your phone. Flashbulbs were separate pieces you had to carry around if you wanted good lighting indoors. They were single-use, so you needed a pocketful if you planned to take lots of pictures at a party or event.
People kept them in small boxes or tucked into jacket pockets, ready to screw in for the perfect shot. They added an extra layer of fuss to photography, but they also made capturing moments possible. Families often carried both the camera and a stash of bulbs, making every outing a bit of a production.