1940s fashion report from Gwenn Walters –

Merle Oberon, Marlene Deitrich, Ann Sheridan and Irene Dunne model a day fashionable day suits from February 1940.

Merle Oberon is the crisp “suit-type” who likes to travel “light” and is apt to turn up at El Mirador in Palm Springs or at the new Arrowhead Springs Hotel in this chic little beige tweed dressmaker suit, nipped at the waist, flared at the skirt, and picked up by Miss Oberon’s own exciting accessories – a criss-crossing black crepe scarf with pocket-kerchief to match, and a staggering lapel clip of gold and diamonds to match her beautiful wide bracelet and her giant pinky ring! This – in case you want to know it – is how smart women make their 1940s style look different from everybody else’s.

Irene Dunne sets the rest of us a fashionable pace for the early Spring in her chic dressmaker suit of grey woolen strikingly set off by black quilted silk jersey muff and visor beret. The skirt with garnered front fullness is contrasted by a fitted jacket which is belted and trimmed with black silk braid. Miss Dunne is currently filming “My favorite Wife” at RKO.

“Just perfect for travel,” says Ann Sheridan – this two-piece suit designed for her by Howard Shoup to wear in the new warner Brothers picture “It all came true”. It’s of navy crepe with a lively, flaring skirt and a smart little open front cardigan jacket, button trimmed from neck to hem, that hides a white crepe blouse. This darling navy and white outfit is completed with a red straw breton and a navy envelope bag.

A suit with an air! the dazzling Marlene Dietrich dons grey and white checks to greet her fans. Note the new longer-length nipped-in pocket with the very new dig-down pockets and the box pleated skirt for that easy fullness which American women adore. The amusing stovepipe hat is of black felt, the spat shoes are of black patent leather and grey suede and the gloves and ascot are stark white – just Marlene’s way of saying, “Spring is coming!”