Pedal pushers are calf-length trousers that were popular during the 1950s and the early 1960s. Often cuffed and worn tight to the skin, they are related in style to capri pants, and are sometimes referred to as “clam diggers”.
Besides cycling, pedal pushers were perfect for sports and outdoor activities like golf, tennis and sailing.
Young women also favored pedal pushers for everyday wear, pairing them with flats, loafers or saddle shoes.
For dressier looks, pedal pushers were worn with heels and nice blouses or knit tops.
The versatility of pedal pushers meant a woman could easily transition from running errands to attending a party.
Pedal pushers became a signature look of the stylish, on-the-go 1950s woman.
By the mid-1950s, denim pedal pushers were adopted by teenage girls as a casual weekend style.
Plaid pedal pushers also became part of 1950s schoolgirl style, paired with knee socks and penny loafers.
For evening glamour, pedal pushers were made from eye-catching metallic fabrics and velvet.
Pedal pushers were a staple in 1950s wardrobes from spring through fall.
Their breezy comfort and flattering silhouette made pedal pushers a warm weather favorite.
As a more conservative era, pedal pushers maintained a high waist and appropriate coverage.
Pedal pushers easily adapted from day to night with the switch of a few accessories.
The cuffed hemline gave pedal pushers their distinctive, youthful 1950s vibe.
By the 1960s, pedal pushers evolved into the sleek capri pants making waves in fashion.
But in many women's memories, pedal pushers remain tied to the carefree fashions of the 1950s.
With their calf-length cut, pedal pushers showed off women's slender legs in a graceful and subtle way.
Thanks to pedal pushers, 1950s girls could move freely and enjoy outdoor activities without hindrance.
Pedal pushers quickly won over the youth with their energetic, youthful vibe suited for their modern lifestyle.
From Hollywood to college campuses, pedal pushers appeared everywhere as a symbol of the new era.
