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.
1940’s Department Store Fashion – Louisville. All images – Royal Photo Company Collection Deep in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky was the now long departed Kaufman Straus Department store which carried up to date women’s clothing from 1879 to 1969. By the 1930’s and 1940’s – fashion shopping was a family affair where mothers,daughters,aunts and …
The Neiman Marcus Department Store – 1940s Fashion. The photos featured here were taken between 1939 and 1945 by Life photographers Nina Leen and Alfred Eisenstaedt and curated by the online Life Photo Archive “I dreamed all my life of the perfect store for women. Then I saw Neiman Marcus, and my dream came true.” …
Winter Shoe Styles of 1942. 1- The wooden sole oxford to wear with all tailored things. Uppers are that kitten-soft crush leather that looks so smart and feels so good. Wooden soles are skillfully carved and hinged so that you can walk away easily and bend your foot naturally. The perfect oxford for holiday festivities. …
12 Steps to a 1940’s Hollywood Makeover. Paramount Studio make-up guru Eddie Senz reveals his beauty secrets to Modern Beauty Shop in 1943. An exclusive behind the scenes look at a 1940s Hollywood makeover. A step by step guide of adapting the Hollywood makeup look for a 1940’s beauty street look. Eddie Senz ” The …
1940’s Fashion Parade – Spring Dresses from the 1942 Sears catalog After the cold bitter months of winter, women across America eagerly scanned the juicy spring catalogs for some nice frock inspiration. Here’s a selection of spring dresses from the Sears Catalog of 1942. They were grim times for women at home, many of whom …
Deborah Kerr models the 1942 British Utility Dress Typical Utility dress of pale blue light woolen, it has double-breasted bodice and pleats in the skirt. Spectator model at 62 shillings and 10d. Everything about it is top flight except the price . Originally published in Picture Post 1942. Text transcription copyright Glamourdaze.com 2013 Look in …
Glamourdaze chats to Fleur de Guerre vintage style model and authoress of ‘Diary of a Vintage Girl’ The vintage fashion blogosphere is certainly a strange country, populated mostly by women who have a distinct penchant for the ‘feminine’, but with an attitude that says sweetly but clearly ‘mess me with me and you’re dead !’. …
1940’s War Fashion – Paint your own stockings! Q: What’s a 1940s wife more afraid of finding on her man than lipstick on his collar? A: Leg paint on his back! [Quote from Oak tree Vintage ] The Great Stocking Shortage. Nylon stockings exploded into the average American woman’s life in 1939, when Dupont began …
The Four Keys to Beauty for Women during Christmas 1941 A 1940’s British War Time Woman’s Beauty Guide. Back in December 1941, Britain was entering it’s third Christmas at war. Here you can read some of the makeup and fashion advice that was read by many women that cold month as they prepared for what …
British War Time Christmas Beauty Tips for Women in 1941 A touching and a unique record taken from the 1940’s British fashion periodical Good Taste – Dec 1941. The writer envisions various date scenarios and dishes out advice on the appropriate clothing, hairstyle and makeup to wear for these very special occasions with their soldiers …