World War Two Fashion

The Impact of War on 1940′s Fashion in the USA.

How were the styles of women’s fashion in the United States influenced by World War II during the 1940s?

by Tia Craig.

Joan Fontaine and Olivia De Havilland – 1940s War Style

1. Summary

How were the styles of women’s fashion in the United States influenced by World War II during the 1940s? Investigative research consisted of primary and secondary sources. Firstly, research took place on the internet in order to find more about the war and how they affected women’s fashion in the United States. As a significant primary source, my grandmother Jackie Nelson who lived through the war and experienced the changes that occurred was interviewed. Lastly, books borrowed from the local library contained very useful information on this topic.
The influence of World War II is evident through the photographs and information that depict the variation in the styles and trends of women’s fashion throughout the decade.Not only does this include a change in fashion when the United States first became involved in the war, but also during the postwar years when signs of people’s desire for luxury and fashionable items caused by the restraints of the war became noticeable. Therefore, the argument arises as to whether the influences and changes had a positive or a negative impact on fashion. People in the United States may have recognized it as a negative short term impact due to the many strict limitations and sacrifices that had to be made. Even though the wait was long and often times challenging, in the long run it seems to have made a positive impact on women’s fashion as new styles and trends resulted from the cause of the war.

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