1940’s in fashion

1940’s in fashion for women in WW2. Trends, utility dresses, seamed stockings, peplum’s, shoulder pads, and the post war New Look.

1940’s in Fashion

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.

Key Trends of the 1940’s in Fashion and Style

  • Seamed stockings
  • Bolero jacket
  • Shoulder pad dress
  • Shirt dress
  • Utility Dress
  • Victory Rolls
  • Trench coats
  • Sailor pants
  • Bobby socks
  • Bullet and strapless bras
  • Red lipstick

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.

Vintage Vogue – 1940’s

Lisa Fonssagrives,The collection just gets better and better.Well done to Jessica [aka myvintagevogue ]These fabulous fashion images are from the 1940’s.See My Vintage Vogue

Norman Parkinson Glamour Gallery

After Van Dongen. Adèle Collins ,Vogue, 1959 Wenda Rogerson and B. Goalen, Vogue ,1949Enid Boulting ,Vogue ,1950 Melanie Hampshire with Jill Kennington -1963 The great Norman Parkinson, portrait and fashion photographer for Vogue.Parkinson always maintained he was a craftsman and not an artist. From his early days as a photographer up to his death he …

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Myrna Loy

With William Powell in the glorious Thin Man series With William Powell in the glorious Thin Man series Myrna loy Myrna Loy ! She was truly unique. These great high resolution images of Myrna Loy come courtesy of Doctor Macro

World War Two Pin Ups

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 …

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Vintage Stockings – an image and film history

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 …

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