1940s

Fashion in the 1940s

During the war years people had to learn to do without a lot of things. These things included fabric, so hemlines became shorter!
Knitting books published during the war years made the following proclamation:

To quote Batterberry: "Shoulder-length hair and deep eyeshadow are pronounced 'demode'. Both would seem messy and unsuitable if worn with uniform. Factory labour makes long tapering nails impossible. A fur-lined coat is more 'fashionable' than a mink, and all show of wealth or dressiness is in poor taste". (p.330)

So, everybody was doing their bit.


Militaire - A Sun-glo pattern



Fashions in the 40s were characterised by:

• Shorter hemlines
• Whimsical hats
• Military look was popular
• Trousers for women now popular
• Snoods
• Shoulder bags
• Mass produced "utility" clothes
• Shoulder pads
• Berets
• Crocheted headgear replaced bonnets
• Wedge heeled shoes
• Gabardine replaced leather for shoes and handbags
• Felt handbags
• Synthetic fabrics replaced wool
• Square-shouldered suits in tweed

1940-1944

"Silhouette: Square shoulders, short skirts, heavy shoes.
Bodice: FItted, with drapery, ruching or gathers; padded shoulders.
Neckline: High round, sweetheart, small collars.
Sleeves: Inset, short or long, puff.
Skirt: Knee-length, flared, straight, single pleats.
Fabric: Wool, cotton, linen, easy-care synthetics.
Trimmings: Limited buttons, contrast colour collar and cuffs, patch pockets.
Colour: Subdued, blue grey, bottle green, donkey brown.
Accessories: Tiny hats, large bags, shoes with high thick heels and some wooden soles.

Gothic - 1940s

1945-1949

Silhouette: As previous period to 1946; then shapely rounded bust, small wist, rounded shoulderline; from 1947: long narrow or full skirts.
Bodice: As preivious period to 1946; from 1947: fitted small waist, sloping shoulders.
Neckline: High round, sweetheart; from 1947: grown-on collars.
Sleeves: As previous period to 1946; from 1947: dolman, raglan.
Skirt: Knee-length to 1946; from 1947: mid-calf and longer.
Fabric: As previous period to 1946; from 1947: silk taffeta, cotton, linen.
Trimmings: As previous period to 1946; from 1947: decorative buttons, piping, inset panels of contrast colour or fabric.
Colour: As previous period to 1946; from 1947: pale, pretty colours with white accessories.
Accessories: As previous period to 1946; from 1947: small hats, short gloves, small bags, costume jewellery, nylon stockings, shoes with high slender heels."
(Peacock)

Berry Stitch Bedjacket - 1940s

Underwear and Sleepwear

• Brassieres with wired cups
• Scanties
• Flesh coloured nylon stockings
• Bedjackets

Hair

• Permed
• Shoulder length, in a snood
• Long waved and curled with centre parting
• Worn in rolls on the top and in the nape.

Men

• Trousers lost the cuffs
• Vests went out



Military look was patriotic during the war.
 Lumber jacket.

• Suits no longer came with two pairs of pants
• Lost patch pockets, pleats, cloth belts to save fabric
• Most evening clothes went out of fashion
• Zoot suits were in

Children

• Ringlet curls
• Buster suits for small boys - the pants buttoned onto the shirt.

Babies

1. Reference: "Fashion: The Mirror of History", by Michael and Ariane Batterberry, 1982, London, Columbus Books
2. "20th Century Fashion: A Complete Sourcebook", by John Peacock; 1993; London; Thames and Hudson, p.228-229.