In a nutshell, 1940s women’s fashion was about creating an hourglass silhouette with masculine details : padded shoulders, nipped-in high waist tops, and A-line skirts that came down to the knee. This was the everyday shape for clothing, from suits to dresses. Even pants had a similar high waisted, wide leg shape.
What was 1940s fashion?
Popular 1940s outfits for women included square-shouldered jackets with simple blouses and a matching skirt, shirtwaist dresses in long or short sleeves, and Kitty Foyle dresses (dark dresses with white or light collars and cuffs).
How do you dress like the 1940s?
- A-Line Skirts teamed with modest, button up blouses,
- Nude Seamed Stockings,
- Red Lipstick,
- Pin curls and Victory Roll Hairstyles,
- Wide Pants worn on the waist,
- Floral Print Dresses and Blouses (Shop here in the UK),
- Women’s Suits,
- Patterned Sweaters,
What were 1940s dresses called?
The shirtwaist was by far the most common 1940s dress top. Instead of buttoning up the back, shirtwaist dresses slipped over the head and buttoned in the front with rather large (2 inch) buttons. Four to six buttons extended down to the waistline. Buttons could be white plastic or covered in fabric to match the dress.
What was mens fashion like in the 1940s?
Longer, looser, jackets, double pleated pants, big hats, and even wider ties made their way into late ’40s men’s fashions. Men were eager to put the war behind them and embrace the clothing they were previously forbidden to wear.
What did ladies wear in 1940?
1940s fashion in Britain
The outfits were topped by jackets, boleros and cardigans and jumpers for casual wear. They were underpinned by foundation wear like girdles to give a flat stomach and bras to give an uplifted, quite pointed bust and finished with gloves, stockings, hats and kitten heeled court shoes.
What were the trends in the 1940s?
1940s Fashion Trends
Plaid A-line skirts with white button down blouses . Victory suits: man-tailored skirt and jackets. Wide leg, high waisted pants. Workwear overalls and jeans created the Rosie the Riveter look.
What colors were popular in the 1940’s?
Among the most popular interior colors were were navy blue, sunshine yellow, red and white, and light green .
What is the 1940s era called?
The 1940s tower over every other decade of the 20th century as the most full of sorrow, patriotism, and ultimately, hope and the beginning of a new era of American dominance on the world stage. This decade, commonly called “ the war years ,” is synonymous with World War II.
How do you tell if a dress is from the 1940s?
DATING VINTAGE CLOTHING BY SEAMS
DATING TIP: Identify whether the garment has frenched, pinked or serged seams. PRE-1940s: French seams were used on turn of the century clothing through the 1940s. French seams are the neatest finish of seams, as the raw edges of the fabric are fully enclosed for clean lines.
What did babies wear in the 1940s?
Hand-knitted garments like sweaters and cardigans were easy and popular items for young children. Young boys wore shorts or trousers with a blazer or jacket for more formal occasions or sweaters for casual wear. Along with knitted pieces, cotton dresses were popular for young girls (Fig. 26).
Did men wear shorts in the 40’s?
With the exception of gym shorts and swim trunks, men did not wear shorts going into the 1940s . ... 1940s men’s shorts had a pleated waistband and a long just-above-the-knee length. They were worn with a belt, casual shirt (knit shirt or polo), tall over-the-calf socks, and casual shoes.
What type of hats did men wear in the 1940s?
1940s men were nothing without their hat. Popular men’s 1940s hats were the wool felt Fedora, Trilby, Homburg, and Pork Pie . For summer, the straw Panama (similar in shape to the felt version) kept heads cool.
Were suspenders popular in the 40s?
Suspenders were worn by men in the ’40s, although belts were more popular . They came in thick stripes with button loops. Belts had largely replaced suspenders as pants became more fitted at the waist. They were about an inch or so wide with small metal buckles that were often covered in matching leather.
