The 40s were a decade of revolution, creativity, and transformation, and more so in the area of fashion. When World War II was going on in the world, fashion adapted to the demands of the time, and it acquired a different meaning. The fashion of the 1940s was not lacking in any way, despite the limitations of war. The period introduced traditional fashion that is still influencing current fashion trends. It was functional and alluring, the 1940s fashion, either due to the restricting circumstances of wartime or the glamorous and sophisticated shapes that were created after the war.
The Evolution of 1940s Fashion
The war that was still going on in the early 1940s had an enormous impact on 1940s fashion. Most of the styles that dominated this period were due to rationing and scarcity. However, with the termination of the war, fashion was greatly changed, and the direction shifted towards a lavish and luxurious appearance. The 1940s were the period when clothes were designed to meet the demands of war and peace, and the fashion that emerged was a rare combination of usefulness and elegance.
1940s Fashion During Wartime
The fashion industry was hit hard when World War II broke out. With the scarcity of resources, women’s clothing was extremely affected by rationing. Clothing that was once prohibited, such as wool and silk, became legal. The outcome was the emergence of a more realistic dressing code. It came out with the now legendary slogan of Make Do and Mend, which urged citizens to make their clothes last longer by repairing and refashioning them.
Consequently, the fashion of the 90s experienced an increase in popularity of simple and functional clothing. Skirts became shorter, and dresses were made leaner in order to save or conserve fabric. But within these limitations, style had a place. Women’s fashion also experienced this trend, with the knee-length skirt being popular due to its functionality as well as its looks. The utility dress had become an icon of wartime fashion, frequently in a boxy masculine cut and with elements such as patch pockets and pleats, which made it a useful piece of clothing, both at work and at play.
The other way the military influenced fashion was through the military influence of the period. The styles that were influenced by uniforms, like broad-shouldered jackets, double-breasted blazers, wide lapels, etc., entered civilian collections. Women started wearing work clothes, including overalls and trousers, as more and more women started working in factories and offices during the war. The styles reflected an attitude of independence and empowerment of women who were moving into areas where men had dominated.
Post-War 1940s Fashion: The Rise of Glamour
As the war came to a close, so too did the more comfortable, glamorous fashions. During the 40s, fashion ceased to be determined by rationing and utility. Quite to the contrary, the fashion industry adopted excess, and the atmosphere turned to a celebratory mood. Another of the most dramatic changes in fashion of the 1940s was the arrival of Christian Dior and their new look, the New Look, in 1947. This line had full skirts, tightened-in waistlines, and rounded shoulders–a design that was a marked contrast to the more practical fashions of the war years.
Dior had already made a drastic move in New Look and a fresh start in fashion. It was a highly feminine shape using hourglass lines and luxurious fabrics such as silk, velvet, and satin. It was a startling contrast with the less extravagant fashions of the early 40s and was a reflection of the post-war urge to luxuriate and be female.
Dresses in the late 1940s were often elaborate in their details, with pleats, draping, and lace. Dresses had become more luxurious, and color had been extended beyond the greyness of war to more vibrant colors. Designers began to experiment with different cuts and different forms, using the components of earlier eras like the 1920s and 1930s, but reworking them.
Men’s 1940s Fashion
The war influenced the fashions of men in the 1940s as much as it influenced the fashions of women. The previous half of the decade was characterized by the dominant military influence in the clothes of men. Men had custom-made suits with wide shoulders and wide lapels, usually influenced by the structured uniforms worn by the military. These suits were crafted in strong and practical materials and had clean lines which hinted at power and dominance.
Casual men’s clothing also came about in the 1940s. Dressing down became more acceptable as more men worked within offices and other non-military settings. The use of casual clothing such as polo shirts, tweed jackets, and sweaters became common during this period. However, male fashion had not yet lost the element of formality, as suits and hats were a must for any social event.
Accessories in 1940s Fashion
The 40s were one of those periods when accessories were an important way of establishing the style of a person. Women embraced all forms of accessories such as hats, gloves, and scarves. Hats in particular featured prominently in the 1940s fashion. Hats were both useful and fashionable in their wide-brimmed styles and their more military-type caps. They usually captured the style of the day, such as the traditional cloche hat or more outlandish ones in the post-war years.
Another necessity of women during the 1940s was gloves. They were put on with nearly all the clothes, both casual and formal. Evening gloves would often be satin or velvet and would go well past the elbow, giving them a very elegant appearance. Jewelry, brooches, and wearing scarves were also important in this decade and offered minute, yet very chic details to otherwise plain clothes.
Pocket squares and ties, as well as hats, were key accessories in the men’s wardrobes. Ties were frequently very loud, in stripes or geometric designs, and they put a personal touch to an otherwise formal outfit. Men of the 1940s also wore hats, the most popular among which were fedoras and trilby hats. Find out more about 1940s fashion accessories
Fashion in the 1940s: Bold Women
In women, the fashion of the 1940s provided a good compromise between households and femininity. Practicality was also a factor in the early years of the decade; however, by the end of the 1940s, it was evident that the world of fashion had changed. As women began adopting richer and more voluminous forms, fashion designers began providing a range of luxurious fabrics, elaborate patterns, and elegant shapes. The 40s of the past century were the years when people could dress to express those things, only partially protecting their bodies but also strongly explaining their personalities, their strength, and transition.
Many of the trends and styles of this age have been transferred to the present style. The tailor-made suits, curved shoulders, and soft, feminine shapes of the 1940s garb are still being worshiped. It can be an old dress or a 2012 redesign of a 1940s suit, but the style of this age continues to influence fashion designers and fashion lovers.
The Legacy of 1940s Fashion
It is possible that the 1940s were actually a decade of transition, but it was also the birthplace of many of the fashions we witness today. The practicality of wartime and the glamour of the post-war universe formed a special amalgamation of styles that has had an enduring influence. We can still find a trace of the 1940s fashion in the current-day suits and even ordinary clothing, which proves that the style of the 1940s is eternal.
The 1940s style was not really about clothes but about survival and adaptability. It addressed the problems of the day and the general yearning to be refreshed and reborn. The 1940s are among the most significant periods in the history of fashion, the era when fashion itself became an image, or rather the embodiment of power and the will of the people wearing it, and it still holds a certain significant place in the history of fashion.
FAQ’s
What did the war do to the 1940s fashion?
The war in the 1940s also had a great influence on fashion, as people could not buy fabric in large amounts because of fabric rationing and felt the need to dress in a more utilitarian way. Dresses of women were simplified and shortened, and the military uniform affected the clothes of men.
What did the 1940s in women fashion represent as far as major styles in women’s fashion?
Women’s Fashion was conservative in the early 40s- utility dresses and suits- but towards the end of the decade, there were more glamorous, feminine fashions- the full skirt and pinched in waist of the Dior New Look.
What were the accessories of the 1940s?
Fashion hats, gloves, scarves, and jewelry were other necessary accessories of the 1940s. The women were also wearing hats along with their dresses, and the men were also matching up the suits they wore with ties, pocket squares, and fedoras.
What became of men in the 1940s?
The influence of military styles on men’s fashion in the 1940s occurred in the early years of the 1940s, but towards the end of the decade, casual fashion gained popularity. Polo shirts and tweed jackets were also common, and so were broad-shouldered suits with wide lapels.
How has the fashion of the 1940s affected the clothing of today?
Most of the modern fashion started to be inspired by the 1940s and its custom suits, female forms, and structured clothes are also current. It is a classic style because it inspires many modern designers.
Conclusion
Fashion of the 1940s was quite an eclectic mix of functionality, gender, and glamour. It was a period during which clothes, in addition to being a product of the requirements of the day, symbolized a change of social attitudes. The 1940s put a permanent mark on fashion with utility dresses during the war and the lavish New Look after the war. Fashion of the 1940s inspires vintage lovers and contemporary designers to this very day, which proves the fact that the fashions of this decade really are timeless.