The double breasted suits were forbidden during the war except for formal occasions such as weddings. Historical timeline. The emblematic wide-shouldered, slim-waisted, narrow-hipped silhouette of the 1940s was established. History of Fashion 1930’s – 1940’s ‘It is no longer smart to be so boyish. Frivolity and extravagance were put on hold. The restrictions were not as dramatic as they were for women. At the beginning of 1945, the roundness was first achieved by pulling the waist tight, emphasizing fullness above and below the waistline. Pieces were extremely well-tailored and the styles started to work for a multitude of occasions. In the men’s fashion field, 1949 saw the death of the exaggerated drape jacket, which hung loosely from the shoulders with hardly any indentation at the waist-line. One extravagant wrap was a greatcoat cut like a cape, lined with seal. In the evening they rose to shoulder level; were smartest in black glace kid. Fashion was of course affected by this and the glam 20s were exchanged to the practical style of the 30s. Spring of 1949 went down in fashion history as the flying panel period. Utility and practicality became more fashionable and “Rosie the Riveter” was created as a role model. Or she would wear a cozy quilted robe with a matching gown. 1940. Long coats adapted from officers’ greatcoats, and short coats adapted from seamen’s jackets, were seen everywhere practical, dashing, adaptable; but it was the fur-lined coat, launched in the autumn, that became the big news of winter. Late-day and evening skirt lengths; however, were extremely erratic. Teenage girls began to sport sweaters, knee-length skirts, and bobby socks during the 1940s. Three-piece suits gradually went out of fashion in the early 1980s and lapels … Let’s begin the 1940s Style Guide series with a more detailed summary of fashion history. Date Event; 1940: Germany advances. Learn about the history of 1940s wedding gowns and view a picture gallery with over 50 pics. How about a trip to the big game? All of the new styles originated there. Lanvin, Molyneux, Mainbocher, Patou and Maggy Rouff all had active fashion houses as … But what did she smell like? They were usually in soft Scotch cashmere with a plaid pattern. The United States Production Board put into place ‘Limitation Orders,’ order L-85 governing women’s clothes, which were in effect until 1946. The 1930s will be remembered for their glamour, despite the Depression. Trench coats, bomber jackets, knit undershirts, pea coats, chino pants, and aviator glasses all have roots in WWII military clothing. The Belt of the Year in 1948 was the dog leash, a thin, rounded and made in a variety of colors and materials. These suits range from 1940 to 1953 from top left to bottom right. American cotton began to take over as a casual fabric of choice. Timeless 40s fashion trends make a memorable comeback October 12, 2017. Ask us anytime. Colors continued dark or neutral. 1940s Fashion for Women. The war also brought social and cultural change as greater numbers of women entered the workplace. March 1943. Leather was needed for their boots. In 1941 they called scarfs “mufflers” and everyone wore one. And that look was often quite masculine, even militaristic. Clothes were at once less cautious and less tricky. All of this interference resulted in a slim, uncluttered look. It was a very flattering look to the female figure. Christian Dior showed the first short-and-long evening dress, spiraling from above the knee to train length. A gown in star sapphire blue, purple or black, with swirls of gilt and coral at the deep slashed throat is a perfect example of something a woman would relax in in 1941. Zippers in flys, called front fly fasteners, were allowed, although button flys were preferred and easier to obtain materials. points. There was a marked tendency towards asymmetry in clothes of all types. While fashion illustrations may not be as widely created or used today, some contemporary artists continue to keep the craft alive with their dazzling designs and dedication to documenting today's styles. One might say that women's fashions of the 1940s were dictated by Adolf Hitler. 1948 Men’s Suits Inspired by the Zoot Suit. This website is supported by advertising in the form of product links, banners, and sponsored articles. The 1940s style influenced the rock and roll style of the Fifties. Long evening skirts swayed to one side. An abridged historical timeline of how men’s fashion and style came to be. Even pants had a similar high waisted, wide leg shape. Image courtesy of McCall's. When she goes out she wants to wear a honey-smooth dinner jacket, with it lapels and cuffs encrusted with glittering “jewels.”. There was much beige and grey. }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-8euk5j4i4")); Receive weekly articles about 1900s-1970s fashion history and style ideas for women and men. And for her trim little sweater in jacquard knit, all pure wool. She had all kinds of perfumes to choose from: Charbert’s Amber, Houbigant’s Chantilly, D-Orsay’s Le Dandy, Corday’s Jet, Bourjois’ Mais Oui, Suzanne’s Tout de Suite and Arden’s Blue Grass were just some of the popular perfumes at the time. Women were particularly fond of ballet slippers in 1945. Long sleeves were out, dresses were casual, and pants and ‘playsuits’ became everyday attire. Search the RetroWaste database for all things vintage!! And for her tweeds, nothing could be better than crocodile skins from the Argentine. If she likes jewelry she might wear a pin with an exquisite basketweave bowknot in gold plate with rhinestones. Evening dresses often came with farthingales to make hips seem larger and the waist thinner. New York and California remained in the fashion game, and American designers started to be known by name. Hardly any change from the late 1930s: Wide shoulders - emphasised even more than before -, and skirts that only just cover the knee. Also, with the rising of the hemline came a new focus on shoes. Skirts were straight in the front and sides, with all fullness drawn to the back. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Clothes were pared down to create a tight fitting, spare look. It certainly had been a while. The government enacted a bill – CC41 – that provided strict guidelines around how 1940s fashion trends evolved. Metal and various chemicals were needed to make just about everything for the war effort. Dior’s ultra-short sheath, with a huge hip-swathe trailing the floor, was the most dramatic of a whole range of models which achieved short-and-long hemlines by panels, wrap-around swathing or slanting overskirts. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); Jackets, blouses, sweaters, and skirts were short and close-fitting, all unadorned and with the requisite sharp shoulder pads. By winter, 1943, the covered-up, short-skirted dinner dress of 1942 had become a full-fledged, decollete evening dress: short black slipper satin dresses with ribbons of satin over bare shoulders; halter tops of white satin and sequins barbarically strapping naked backs above simple short black crepe skirts; short black crepe dresses with deep oval decolletage and tiny cap sleeves dangerously edged in black lace. Like a huge sigh of relief. It took until the end of the decade for women to adopt Dior’s New Look that returned women to an ultra feminine silhouette, and for men to adopt a relaxed fit in their clothing. With a distinct war era and post war look (discussed later), women’s dresses, skirts and pants in the 1940’s were defined by the silhouette. Peculiarl… The trend of wearing “separates” continued to grow. This was the everyday shape for clothing, from suits to dresses. Men were eager to put the war behind them and embrace the clothing they were previously forbidden to wear. Suit pockets could not have flaps, trousers could not be more the 19 inches around or be cuffed, and suits were sold without vests (waistcoats). European designers didn’t have the worry of a war in their backyard and, with the end of World War II, people felt like it was OK to care about something as trivial as fashion again. The heels on shoes could only be 1 ½ inches high. Collarless knit tee shirts, open collar dress shirts, ascot ties, slip on loafers, and sandals in summer became the everyday man’s dress code. For black tie nights, he wore a shirt with attached collar and French cuffs, with gold plated cufflinks, matched to its pique pleated bosom. With the end of the war, designers were finally able to dip into their array of beautiful fabrics again. ... •The University of Nebraska Cornhuskers start off the decade of the 1940s by playing in the Rose Bowl New Year’s Day 1941, losing to Stanford University. When she plays cards in the evening she wears a pure cashmere cardigan in maize, gray, blue, natural or purple. Many different fashion trends and styles were introduced during this time. Bias cut dresses were modest but feminine. This gave a broad shouldered look. ... 2019 The 1940's • 1940-1949 • Fashion History Movies Music The 1940s style can be divided into two categories. And she has a HUGE collection of Argyle socks. Although eveningwear was still made and worn, people began to dress more casually in restaurants and theaters. Dressing in vintage style clothing for a themed event or personal fashion is our passion. The younger generation made almost a uniform of the pinafore or jumper dress, perfect in cottons for summer; and in gray flannel, checked tweed, or bright wool jersey a wonderful campus costume worn with any of many shirts and blouses. Urchin hair cut and petulant earrings a distinctive fashion style in 1949. 1942, a woman donates her silk stockings to be made into parachutes. At his feet his wore “Freelancers” — bootmaker finish moccasins. After Germany took over Paris in 1940, many of the designers closed their fashion houses, some fleeing the country. Colors lightened and fancy fabrics slowly came back. Embroidery was seen in almost every form: passementerie, jet beading, silk tassels, ball-fringe and more. The tables turned in the 1940s. VintageDancer.com links to clothing for sale online to make finding vintage inspired clothing easier. Click on the picture or title of the product and you will be redirected to the online merchant selling that item. Three jackets in particular marked a development: 1.) The waist was slightly defined with a simple belt. In Europe, fabric could be had for fewer coupons than a ready-made garment. This basic outfit dispensed with stockings and most underclothing, and over it a pinafore or simple wrap-on skirt completed a whole costume. Sep 22, 2019 - Women's fashions of the 1940s. Even the raincoat made a welcome fur-lined appearance, giving women an opportunity to be warm in any weather. One rever would be longer than the other; a peplum would spring from the hip at one side only; a line of buttons (and buttons were everywhere) would march down one side of a bodice or skirt; necklines were cut to one side; evening dresses had one shoulder strap. The plain and functional styles lasted throughout the war. Fur was very popular, as were animal skins. Coco Chanel brought the day suit into fashion, with a fitted jacket and a long skirt. the short, fitted jacket, nipped in snugly at the waist, slightly flared out over the hipbones; Still marked by the simplicity that wartime fabric shortages and the wartime work and psychology of women demanded, the simplicity was tempered by inventiveness of cut, a genuine suppleness of line. She would like earrings with golden swirls with ruby and rhinestone bands. Civilian clothing had to resort to using new materials. Jackets could not have pleated backs, metal zippers or buttons, feature raglan sleeves, or have half-belts. She loved those goofy elbow mittens, to echo her knee-high hand-loomed socks. However, most were also ready for a change. A woman’s duty was to take care of the homefront, both at her household and in jobs previously held by men. Due to the absolute necessity of belts in the wardrobe, manufactures began producing more inventive belt styles than had even been seen before. Waterproofed boots with a lining of warm electrified sheepskin. It was intended for late afternoon and evening wear. The lampshade dress fit very tightly from shoulder to mid-thigh, where it flared out intensely. It was a time of great transition, which was reflected in fashion. Longer, looser jackets, double pleated pants, big hats, and even wide ties made their way into late ’40s men’s fashions. Kerchief-pointed skirts, wavering between knee and ballet length, were another aspect of hem-line uncertainty and another reminder of the ’20s also recalled by the ever receding length of hair. The improvement in machinery, textiles, and manufacturing of military clothing made post war ready to wear civilian clothing a booming industry. Suit jackets had round collars and round-cut hemlines, while suit skirts belled out in front. the bolero, fitted close to the lines of the figure after the authentic Spanish fashion; The other silhouette was chunky, bulky, giving the effect of fullness without gathers robust boxcoats in wool or fur, or wool lined in fur; wool dresses cut with the generosity of officers’ greatcoats, then decisively belted in. Crocodile purses, wombat collars, lambskin lining, and leather sleeves — no animal was off limits. Even though Paris was short on just about everything but talent, designers did their best to keep their position as the fashion capital of the world. Simple tweed reefers, loose box coats, slim mid-length tuxedo coats all wore fur linings. Hats were trimmed with fantastic feathers. Colors were delicate, pale blues and pinks, pale yellows and violet, were common color combinations. The new look, which had blossomed, billowed and exploded the point of near absurdity, finally collapsed. Jackets and shirts came with shoulder pads in them. With the world involved in war for the first five years, the hope for peace becomes the desire as the decade closes. The style was of a newly empowered but still feminine woman. Fashion in the 1940s was a good mix of comfort and glamour. RetroWaste makes every effort to provide quality learning materials and access to legal purchase methods within the confines of U.S. law. One was again due to Dior: a dropped, markedly extended shoulder line the first sign of an important shoulder treatment since the removal of square padding left shoulders naturally rounded. After the death of Georges Vuitton in 1936, Gaston-Louis Vuitton took control of the business. Stoles became popular again, made of tweed, wool, jersey, and fur. He favorite bracelet is a rhinestone bracelet in a sunburst-and-knot design. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; There were specific outfits that were meant for specific times of the day. 1940’s fashion timeline. The New Look didn’t take off in the United States. It was the total opposite of what had been worn for the last three years. Ironically, the very clothing that caused such turmoil during the war years, the Zoot Suit, was the single piece of fashion that influenced men’s post war clothing. With so much military surplus available after the war, civilians would buy and wear military clothing for several more years. Discover (and save!) Shirts were ready to wear, came in a wide variety of styles and mixed well with skirts. If the 1920s were the happiest of decades with a forceful optimism, the 1930s were quite the opposite. Even though the war was a terrible thing, the fashion industry boomed. This contrast of soft and sharp was achieved by using soft fabrics and stiffening them with a crisp lining at strategic Pamphlets with titles like ‘Make and Mend,’ and ‘Make It Do Until Victory’ showed women how to fix and care for their clothes to make them last, and to make them from other household items like blankets and curtains. New York took over, creating a look that was dominated by the war going on across the ocean. Suits were still the most popular single fashion. See more ideas about 1940s fashion, vintage outfits, 40s fashion. The later the hour, the more skirt lengths wavered. See more ideas about 40s fashion, 1940s fashion, fashion. The only clothing item that was rationed were leather shoes starting in 1943, and they were only available in black, white, navy and brown. In Britain the clothing restrictions were harsher. Nylon lingerie appeared in sufficient quantities to be on display instead of only under the counter. In 1947, Paris designer Christian Dior showed his debut collection, soon to be dubbed the ‘New Look,’ which was the total opposite of the severe styles of the war. Late 1930s Women’s Fashion. Gloves were wrist length, scarves were short and even the hats were small. Timeline of the 1940s 1949 China becomes Communist First non-stop flight around the world NATO is created The Soviet Union has an atom bomb 1948 Velcro is invented Velcro Invented in 1948 by the Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral, Velcro is a hook-and-loop fastener, and Dresses and gowns began to be bias cut, meaning the fabric was cut diagonally, allowing it to cling to curves. Fashion did not reflect real life in the 1930s. At ease, at home, the man relaxes with his pipe and the paper in a chevron-weave smoking jacket. Fashion followed movie stars’ apparel both on and off the set. Fine Irish linens returned and were used for simple things like day dresses, or for extravagant lace. Skirts were shorter and tighter than anyone was used to, and shirts and jackets were plain and practical. By day the general level had risen again to 14 or 15 inches from the ground, sometimes rising further at a wrap-around point, or slit for walking freedom. The straight, spare skirt was broken across the front by soft trouser pleats, and a new hike-back skirt appeared still straight in front, but hiked up slightly in back to make it swing out gracefully behind. Rich furs, white paste jewelry, and coordinated accessories looked like a million bucks. However, that trend was only popular with the young, urban men during the war years. It was a sign of support for the war to be seen in your pre-war suits. Navy blue was chosen for winter and for evening, and other colors particularly favored were dark greens, many browns and clear geranium reds. The biggest influence war time restrictions had on men was the further introduction of casualness. The original company or artist retains all copyrights. There were, however, a few features that made a suit style unique to the 1940s. Women felt that Parisian designers had acted as though no war had taken place, while they sacrificed their wardrobes for the war effort. This curvette was the most popular headpiece (it could scarcely be called a hat) of the young. The floor-length crinoline skirts, were kept for debutante and ball dresses. Femininity was in full swing in 1946, After long, wartorn years of wearing suits, women turned to dresses again. The 1940s were defined by a clean and slim silhouette with a somewhat military feel. A new evening dress line was widely draped at the hips, narrowed to the ankle and then considerably slit. Share your love for 1940s Fashion: Clothing Styles & Trends. Another trend was the molded body-line, interrupted by sharp-angled shapes in collars, cuffs and stiffened hip draperies. Often the only tight parts of an outfits were at the neck, waist and wrists. Brief Timeline of Events 1950 – 1960 Timeline By Pauline Weston Thomas for Fashion-Era.com 1950s Timeline The scientific and mass production advances made during the second World War, meant that the fifties changed forever the way people lived, for example, technological changes in fibres, communication and medicine. Shoulders were covered by tiny boleros. The zipper became … Pouch pockets and huge flap pockets, placed far to the side, widened Fashion in 1943 began to show momentum of its own, an honest freedom from the great tradition of Paris on which it had leaned so heavily, for so long. He also loved his ulster, complete with wombat fur lined collar and the sleeves are leather lined. The Type A-2 leather flight jacket is a military flight jacket typically connected with World War II U.S. Army Air Force pilots. In some evening dresses the entire bodice consisted of twin pockets. The deep oval decolletage with its little cap sleeves proved so becoming to so many women, and such a relief from high-neck, long-sleeve fashions that it spread to clothes of every description. The Kiltie, a short pleated skirt which came in varied lengths, was a vital part of the playtime wardrobe. The early 1940s was an extension of the past decade, but with a reality check. As such, 1948 fashions are markedly more embellished in the back than 1947 designs. Citizens were encouraged to mend old clothes, recycle old fabrics into new garments, and combine dresses to make new ones. Eventually the round look took every costume. Preferably a pair that matches your outfit. The silhouette was soft, an extreme hourglass figure achieved with a corset and bust and hip padding, and the skirts were enormous confections of fabric. Patent leather made a comeback in 1948 as well, especially in bags and belts. The economy prospered, and clothing manufacture became cheaper and easier thanks to new methods devised for the war. The spring and summer also saw a new low level in daytime necklines. Read: Privacy Policy, Disclosure, Terms and Conditions. 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. Some were wide burnished bands of leather and others were cut to fit the waistline. Another thing women ALWAYS wore: gloves. After the war, the need for suits to be worn at all times was replaced by more causal sporting attire. Because designers were largely restricted in how much yardage they could use in creating their vintage fashions, they improvised. Back to the lady. Cheaper materials were used to produce clothes and simplicity was the new virtue. Gold neckbands, African-inspired metal rings and gold chains were wrapped around the neck and wrists.Buttons were brassy and belt buckles shined like a cowboy’s saddle. She wears socks instead. In Britain and elsewhere in Europe, ration coupons for clothing were given out on top of the restrictions, and they didn’t go far. The hat was still an important accessory and print wa… An eighteen year-old guy thinks his poplin jacket is pretty special. An asymmetrical look was important in 1946. Court shoes and naked sandals (with covered toes and heels) divided the honors. Since the dawn of mankind, fashion has been prevalent. Aside from breakthroughs in man-made materials, fashions of the day were most affected by the governmental clothing restrictions put in place for the duration of the war. While not overly feminine, they still had a distinct look from man-tailored suits, and were exactly what women were looking for. Oliver Twist waistcoats suddenly appeared in every material and color imaginable, but especially of suede and velvet. 1940s Timeline Timeline Description: War and recovery are the themes for the 1940s. The freedom casual clothes brought to men was a big sigh of relief. It was seen in every material: felt, fur, crocheted wool flecked with colored sequins for the evening. This original method of achieving a slim look combined with becoming movement made such an impression that the Paris spring collections were full of developments of this flying panel theme. As soldiers came back, women stopped working and returned to new homes and cars in the suburbs. Late 1940s Women's Fashions: Image courtesy of Simplicity Printed Patterns. All cable-stitched in fireman red or white. « History of Men’s Watches – 1900s to 1960s, Forties Fashion: From Siren Suits to the New Look, Esquire’s Encyclopedia of 20th Century Men’s Fashions Hardcover, Vintage Fashion: Collecting and Wearing Designer Classics, Everyday Fashions of the Forties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs, http://www.centuryinshoes.com/decades/1940/1940.html, http://www.headoverheelshistory.com/1940.html, Privacy Policy, Disclosure, Terms and Conditions. This 1949 fashion trend is shown by a sheath evening dress in black wool, slit above knee at back and with grosgrain panels trailing to the ground and the three-step hem levels caused by varied length panels were the forerunners of a whole crop of uneven hems in the autumn collections. With red ric-rac, maize with green — or pink with blue, cuffs and stiffened hip draperies all. The styles started to be bias cut, meaning the fabric was cut diagonally, allowing it cling. 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