With hearts renewed hope after the horrors of World War II, it was the time for a baby boom. Kids no longer had to wear hand-me-downs as the recovering economies offered jobs that afforded families money for children’s Clothes. Fashion trends for children reflected this cheerful decade with bright colors and more embellishments. 

While children’s formal wear largely borrowed from adult fashion, daytime casual wear showed a lot of variety for both boys and girls. High-waisted skirts, poodle skirts, and saddle shoes or ballet flats for girls, while boys sported overalls, three-piece suits, camp shirts, and wide-legged pants. Children’s clothes from this decade have a timeless classic vintage look.

Take a look at these children modeling fall clothes taken by LIFE photographer Nina Leen in 1957: