Why did the 1950s hide belly buttons?

Actually the premise is inapt. Women until the advent of the bikini generally did not appear in public with a bare midriff in the US. read more

That is far from the idea that belly buttons were banned in the 1950s and many publications and artworks did, indeed, show navels. The movies and tv disallowed showing of navels in order not to offend the most conservative viewers (navels became banned in 1934 when the film industry adopted the Hays Code). read more

•1957: Before it airs, CBS yanks the pilot episode of "Leave It To Beaver" because of its plot: Wally and the Beav mail-order a baby alligator and are forced to hide it in the tank of the family's toilet. read more

The navel has been historically subject to many customs, fashions and taboos. Various cultures view the sexual and cultural significance of the navel differently, and these views have changed over time, which has shaped social mores relating to the navel in design of clothing and social traditions and practices. read more