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.
Jean RogersJean Rogers (March 25, 1916 – February 24, 1991) was an American actress. She is best remembered today as Dale Arden in two of the three Flash Gordon serials.Gene TierneyGene Tierney (November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was an American film and stage actress. Acclaimed as one of the great beauties of her …
Two examples of vintage advertising using that old useful weapon called Glamour.Sources Nostalgia Villeand Magazine Art
1920’s hosiery ad – illustrated by Coles Phillips. Vintage Stockings History and Archive films The story of how hosiery developed into such a uniquely feminine piece of apparel is largely to do with the developments in fiber. During the late 1800’s, the fibers used in hosiery changed over from woolen to cotton. By the early …
The Invention of Nylon Stockings When Nylon arrived on the scene in the late 1930’s, it triggered what can only be described as a form of mass hysteria amongst women in the USA. During the Second World War – nylon was strictly rationed. Women even handed them in at war depots so that they could …