1940’s in fashion for women in WW2. Trends, utility dresses, seamed stockings, peplum’s, shoulder pads, and the post war New Look.
Women in World War 2 left us an iconic and beguiling style which is forever celebrated in movies, books and magazines. Rationing encouraged women to “make do and mend”. With all resources going to the war effort, Fabric shortage meant longer skirts and less revealing evening dresses. Austerity was reflected by a more austere fashion in the early 1940’s. Makeup and hairstyles however never looked better.
Browse the 1940’s fashion trends as worn by women in that troubled decade. Find inspiration for your next 1940’s style dress, victory rolls hairstyle.
Now you know the highlights, dive in to our archive of 1940’s fashion history. Find out how women in WW2 lived, worked, served in the forces and of course dressed.
Hollywood designer suits modelled by Jane Wyman – Hattie Carnegie presents suits incomparable in every detail. Jacket lines have a pleasing variety. Some are snug, button-down-the-front affairs; some nip in at the waist and flare slightly below it – some are cutaways with elbow-length sleeves, and some are cut wide in the bodice to serve …
What dresses to step out in for January 1941 – 1940’s Fashion Report. Three lovely outfits to start with. Like an expensive English classic with its impeccable tailoring, soft wool and cashmere jersey, rib-boned cardigan front. A natural for year round wear. P stands for pinafore dress, pleated ruffs n pockets a-plenty. In other wards …
Carousel Film Tribute to Paris – Anaïs Nin -“Paris intimate like a room.” Stills and Stories and a video tribute to Paris. Carousel – 140 Years of Parisian Cafe Culture – 1877 to 2015 Think of France, and you think of Parisian cafe’s, the Belle Epoch era, the paintings of Edouard Manet, Edgar Degas and Renoir, …
Straight from the Underworld – Nov 1940 – 1940s Winter Foundation Wear. Our time travelling beauty correspondent Carolyn Van Wycks reports from November 1940 with a quick perusal of the latest undergarments for ladies from the leading 1940s foundation wear brands. ” THE NEWS from the outstanding authorities on fall / winter foundation fashions this …
One in wartime Britain, the other in pre-war America 1941 – In late 1941 – quite coincidentally, there were two picture essays of a typical day in the lives of two different women in the 1940s. The first, an American housewife, by the name of Jane Amberg from Kankakee, Illinois.USA. The second, a young British …
The first fashion show from liberated Paris – The liberation of Paris sent a thrill of mixed anticipation and anxiety through the dress designers of London, New York and Hollywood, some of whom have thrived mightily during Paris’ long night. The first Paris fashion shows, therefore, brought forth groans of both dismay and criticism. Paris …
When leaves fall – you want a fall suit – Francis Rafferty models a suit to meet the first cold snap. It’s a crisp wool sharkskin with a trio of pocket flaps and you’ll love it from the moment you pull it on, and wear it till spring ! Grey or tan ! By Zimco. To …
USA War Restrictions on clothing 1942- See the lavishly illustrated concise history of 1940s womens fashion dress and style. Uncle Sam, disguised as Stanley Markus, of Dallas department store Neiman Marcus, one of America’s great fashion stores, last week assumed the role of 1940s war fashion designer. In a sweeping order affecting all women and girls’ …
Women go ‘slack-crazy’ in 1942 – As men are being warned that two pants suits, vests and trouser cuffs will soon only be a memory, women are breaking out in a rash of pants! High school girls on their way to school, office workers in first-aid classes, city women shopping, factory girls, all of them …
Some early post war summer styles- To the left – actress Diana Lynn sports Henry Rosenfield‘s superbly cut “sun dress” of Shire cotton poplin. It has a tiny separate jacket to cover its one bare shoulder ! To the right – a lustrous melon colored tropical worsted by Junior Deb. Gracefully ballooned sleeves with the …