Fashion History - Design Trends of the 1940's With Pictures
The Impact of World War II on Fashion
One might say that womens' fashions of the 1940's were dictated by Adolph Hitler. The German invasion of Poland in September 1939 set the tone for everything that happened in the next decade. And as fashion follows social trends and the events of the world economy, World War II necessitated changes in clothing styles and fashion design.
Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941 by which time Germany had invaded Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, France, Yugoslavia, and Greece. The world was at war and haute couture took a back seat to the privations of global conflict.
It may be hard for young people today to visualize the impact of World War II on the day to day lives of women in America and much of the rest of the world. Without going too much into the suffering and privations wrought by a world at war, suffice it to say that the war effected everything, even for those living in countries where the was was not actually fought.
Every woman in the USA knew enlisted men. The American military effected clothing styles in the US and many women's garments took on a military look that underscored the significance of the war. Women everywhere had to make do with less.
Women in the Military
World War II Style Utility Jumpsuit
The Effect of the War on Womens' Fashion
In order to supply the war effort, fabric was rationed. Nylon and wool were both needed by the military and Japanese silk was banned in the USA after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Rayon, the new synthetic fabric developed in the 1930's became the material most often used for the creation of ladies' clothing during the War.
By June 1941, with Britain under attack by the Nazis, cloth rationing resulted in a coupon system. Adults in Britain received 66 clothing coupons per year, reduced to 36 coupons by 1945. Supplies were limited and prices were high. Many governments placed restrictions on the use of fabrics and other materials used to make clothing as they were needed by the military.
While London was bombed, people also feared a gas attack as the Germans had used gas against the Allies in World War I. London's Harvey Nichols fashionable store offered gas protection suits of pure oiled silk in a variety of colors. Many women owned Utility Jumpsuits which one could put on quickly when the sirens blew. The jumpsuit, a new innovation, was warm and comfortable and featured pockets for papers and valuables.
Female Worker Wearing Blue Jeans (1942)
Paris Lost It's Influence Over Fashion
Paris lost its leadership role in the world of fashion. Couture houses that were still open drew disapproval from people in the Allied countries who resented the fact that some of the top designers appeared to work in cooperation with occupational forces. And when the rest of the world was scrimping, Paris offered superfluous use of fabrics, including cuffs, dolmen sleeves, nonfunctional buttons, draped fabric, and pocket flaps.
Coco Chanel, the famous fashion designer, closed down her fashion studio during the war years but was sharply criticized for her relationship with a high ranking Nazi official. Chanel also supported the detested Vichy regime and called the French Resistance criminals.
Paris did, however, come up with one interesting mode of showing their clothing: Le Theatre de la Mode, or the Theater of Fashion which compromised 200 two foot tall dolls dressed in Parisian designed clothing.
New York Emerged as a Fashion Leader
What with the hardships of war and general disapproval of Paris, the fashion industry moved to New York with the American look.
Claire McCardell, for example, made use of fabrics that were not in demand by the military. Materials like cotton denim, jersey, striped mattress ticking, gingham, and calico were functional and comfortable and shown for every day wear.
"War wise" dressing became the fashion trend with both drab and patriotic colors like air force blue, cadet blue, flag red, black, browns, greens, tan, and gray flannel.
As wool was used for soldiers' blankets, fabric designers came up with wool blends made of recycled wool and rayon.
Rayon was the fabric of choice. It was versatile; did not shrink or crease, and could be produced in either light or heavy weights.
Utility Dress - Less Fabric Used for Womens' Dresses During World War II
Fashion in the 1940's - Fabric Restrictions Put a New Emphisis on Legs
Hemlines Went Up
Both Britain and the United States put official restrictions on the use of the materials used in the production of garments. The L-85 Order specified the amount of fabric that could be used to create a garment. Hems rose with fabric restrictions. The order also restricted the number of pleats and trimmings as well as jacket and trouser lengths. The metal used for zippers was needed by the military and buttons were limited - useful only, not for ornamentation.
Women brought up during the austerity of the Great depression made do by recycling, making coats and jackets out of old blankets. Winter wear moved away from the use of wool and incorporated velveteen and corduroy for cold weather suits and dresses.
Less fabric meant lean styles, with narrow hip lines and a trim over all appearance. Short and boxy was the fashion style of the day, out of necessity.
Oddly enough, sequins, unnecessary for the war effort, popped up n sweaters to add a note of glitz. And although Hollywood still depicted glamorous stars, the female stars portrayed a new kind of elegance. In the 1945 movie Mildred Pierce, Joan Crawford appears as a struggling single mother who dresses for success in attractive yet rather severe styles. The beautiful Lauren Bacall, in The Big Sleep (1946) appears sexy and glamorous in slacks and many fashion designs of the day.
Shorter skirts placed an emphasis on womens' legs. Legs were 'in,' and the famous pin-up of Betty Grable looking over her shoulder in a swim suit is a great example of the importance of legs.
Womens' Suit - 1940's
The New 2 Piece Swim Suit - 1945
Women in the 1940's - Fabric Restrictions Meant Short Skirts
Other Fashion Aspects of the 1940's
- Hair was worn long and curled at the ends for a soft, feminine look. Beauty salons can be expensive and women saved money by having their hair cut less often. As so many women enlisted in the military or took factory jobs, it was easy to tie long hair back for safety. Then, the long hair could be worn down for casual or dress occasions.Women often knit or crocheted snoods which were an attractive combination of a hair net and a veil.
- Girdles were out as the rubber was needed for the war effort. Skirts and dresses were often fitted with adjustable waistlines. But it wasn't hard to be thin when food was rationed.
- The fabric used in the manufacturer of swim suits was also reduced causing the disappearance of the little skirt flap so popular on one piece suits. Fabric reduction was responsible for bare midriffs and the introduction of the 2 piece swim suit. The bikini made its debut in 1946.
- Shoe heels were lower and shoe designers thought to add interest with the introduction of the wedge shoe. Many women wore flat heeled shoes for safety and comfort in the workplace. T-straps and open toed shoes looked lovely and saved on shoe leather.
- Pants became a staple of women who worked in factories and soon gained widespread acceptance for casual wear and for work at home in the garden. The actress Katherine Hepburn helped make trousers a popular garment for women as she appeared in several movies wearing elegant, wide legged trousers.
- Stockings formerly made of silk were made out of nylon but when the military began to use nylon, many women used tan make up on their legs and drew a line up the back to simulate seams. Bobby socks became popular among the younger set.
- Shoulder pads became popular to highlight the masculine, military look. They also added an interest to the shape of the slim silhouette.
- Corsages made of fresh flowers like orchids and gardinias were worn to snazz up a plain black dress. Many women also owned corsages made of artificial flowers or gathered netting.
Tropical Prints Popped Up in Clothing as Well As in Home Decor Fabrics Like This Tropical Print Barkcloth
After the War
The end of World War II did not immediately change the fashion industry. Clothing rations and fabric restrictions endured some time after as the economy changed slowly from a war economy toward peace.
A new world consciousness emerged as Americans became aware of other places. Tropical prints became popular and featured exotic florals such as palm fronds and hibiscus blooms.
The colors and styles of Mexico and Latin America brought new colors like terra-cotta and turquoise to women who craved brightness and fun. Peasant blouses and skirts offered a soft, cool femininity for warm weather inspired by the popular artist Frida Kahlo.
The New Look - An Hour Glass Figure
The New Look on a Doll
The New Look
In February of 1947, Christian Dior introduced his New Look, a style that shocked and outrages some and thrilled others.
Hemlines were long in skirts and dresses with tons of fabric. Wide hats and tight nipped in waistlines gave women an almost antebellum look. The new female silhouette gave women an hour glass figure and a new, feminine extravagance so long denied.
The copious amounts of fabric used for skirts was viewed by many women as an insult to those still suffering the restrictions and effects of the war. Few women could afford the glamorous New Look when they could barely afford to put food on the table. Some saw Doir's New Look as a means to increase the profits of the textile manufacturers who backed the famous clothing designer.
Yet Dior's new silhouette was not without some approval. Sick of the privations and restrictions of war, many women found the flowing, feminine style to be very appealing and the New Look eventually won out, to influence womens' fashion well into the next decade.
Shorter Skirts and Bobby Socks
Hemlines Were Up in the 1040's
Women Began to Wear Shorts
1940's Clothing Ad
Books consulted:
Encylopedia of Clothing and Fashion; edited by Valerie Steele; Scribner Library
Series: Fashions of a Decade, the 1940's by Patricia Baker (see below)
Costume and Styles: The Evolution of Fashion From Early Egypt to the Present by Henny Harald Hansen; E. P. Dutton & Co.
 | Amazon Price: $121.22 List Price: $25.00 |
World War II's Influence on Music - The Andrews Sisters
Women's Fashion of the 1930's
- Fashion History - Ladies' Fashion Designs of the 1930's With Pictures
Here are the historic fashion design trends of 1932. The pictures of these vintage dress styles may not have been haute couture but were offered up for the readers of the Ladies Home Journal in May of 1932....
Women's Fashions of the 1920's
- Women's Fashions of the 1920's - Flappers and the Jazz Age
Women's fashions of the 1920's are a large part of the Jazz Age identity. New technology and the end of the horrors brought about by World War I and the Flu Pandemic of 1918 gave rise to a youthful exuberance...
Rationing During World War II
1940's Vintage Vogue Magazine Covers
- Forties | Find the Latest News on Forties at Vogue Archives
The latest tips and news on Forties are on Vogue Archives. On Vogue Archives you will find everything you need on Forties.
A Bit About Shoes of the 1940's
- Modern Shoes with 1940's Style
4 Styles of 1940's Shoes for Women By: Debbie Only two decades before the 1940's shoes started to be made in factories- thus lowering the prices, improving quality, and making "fashion" easier to follow. ...
How to Care For Old Textiles
- Vintage Fabrics - Living With Antique Textiles
The use of vintage fabrics can add interest to any home. Whether your decorating style is quirky, eclectic, classic, traditional, bohemian, minimalist, or organic; antique textiles lend a note of individuality...
Women's Fashions of the World War I Era - 1914 - 1920
- Women and Fashions of the World War I Era - Clothing of 1914 - 1920
Women's fashions of 1914 - 1920 were heavily influenced by World War I, or the Great War, as well as the women's suffrage movement. By 1914, women's clothing had lost the rigid, tailored lines of the...
Victorian Fashions
Elizabethan Clothing - Renaissance Fashion for Women
Aprons - practical, decorative fashion classics
- History of Clothing - Aprons - Practical and Decorative Fashion Classics
An apron is a garment worn at the front of the body, since ancient times, for practical, decorative, as well as ritualistic purposes. From the French word 'naperon', meaning a small tablecloth, aprons have...
 | Amazon Price: $2.56 List Price: $6.97 |
 | Amazon Price: $17.98 |
 | Amazon Price: $6.78 List Price: $16.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $6.21 List Price: $11.98 |
Comments
Very enjoyable and very well-written, Dolores, thank you. I remember Hepburn in slacks/pants and also Marlene Dietrich wearing them in publicity photos.
And Joan Crawford in those wide-shouldered suits always looked classy and elegant, although a bit like a defensive football player with pads. :)
Hi, Thanks for an informative hub. You can brought back the glorious era of fashion trends of old 40s and 50s into the modern era.
I think the only thing constant in the fashion world is 'change'
mwatkins - glad you enjoyed the hub! Thanks for commenting!
drbj - funny how some of these styles came back. In the 1980's women wore shoulder pads and some of the skirts had a New Look extravagance. Thanks!
Johnny - in every decade, it seems like fashion follows the economy and current events. The austerity of the 1930's and 40's had a real impact on the clothing styles of the day. Thanks!
I could care less about fashion, but for some reason found this to be sort of delightful. Thanks.
Hi Dolores - Good article. The "Big War" was gone by the middle of that decade. People then went sorta nutty catching up on the many things they had missed... cars, foods, housing, education, and each other (now that millions had come back home from the military). Back in '45 I was just turned 14 and "fashion" did not mean a rip to me then, but the older ones joined in and all went bonkers. Thanks for the article. It was fun to read and to remember.
Gus :-)))
Once again Delores you have brought a smile to my face. The beautiful pictures, the videos, the awesome adverstisement from that era, all so very special. It is one thing to write about the era and another to bring the era to life through your writing and details. I praise you for your hard work and thank you once again for sharing with us.
Excellent, Dolores! It truly was a major era for fashion. You've "done it proud"!
The more "fashions" change, the more they are the same...
Loved the jumpsuit and knowing where it all started is really neat! Love some of the old vintage photos and didn't the women all look so lovely? Now it's sagging pants and nose rings! Go figure!
Steve - well thank you! Here on HP, I often read about things that I am not really interesting in and wind up just fascinated in something new! You are so kind!
Gus - the war may have ended mid decade but the impact was felt for several years after, especially for people in the war torn countries. Britian, for example, kept a system of rationing in place for some time after the war. Glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate your comment.
lcg - thank you so much! You are too kind! I had a lot of fun gathering the info but did have some trouble finding the pictures that I wanted.
Nellieeanna - thank you very much, dear!
dallas - yes, so often we see certain designs reappear in the fashion industry. Some looks are so beautiful or interesting that we just have to revisit them!
Audrey - writing this makes me wonder what will come next. I don't know. I think a little ring in my eyebrow might be fun! Thanks!
This is a FANTASTIC hub. Amazing! Well written, so informative, extremely entertaining and I really enjoy seeing the styles as they changed due to the influences of war and afterwards. Exceptional!
Wonderful hub. There's no question about it - the women of the 40's were certainly stylish.
This is a very interesting read.. thanks!!!
Very interesting how fashion changes - great hub!
Another great hub from you. Very uplifting. I love this hub, especially about vintage and I found this through your hub. Rating up. Take care!
Prasetio
Lucky - thank you! I love to see how events in the world effect fashion.
Koffee - I too love the styles of the 1940's. Lauren Bacall and Joan Crawford really showed how these styles could be sexy and glamorous.
carolina - glad you liked and appreciate you stopping in!
Rose - It can be so interesting to see how history affects how people dress! Thank you!
prasetio - you are so kind! I love vintage everything from fashion to fabric and furniture!
I am obsessed with Vintage style clothing! The 40's is no exception, the start of the pencil skirt!!
How could you not love it!
Rated up!
yena - thank you. I should post my 1940's house dress which still actually fits! Thank you!
love this hub, and I didn't know about buttons, really buttons were needed? I could see the metal zippers, but buttons, must be missing something!
Great page. Thanks for all your research.
Rebecca - buttons were needed for buttons on uniforms I guess. I can't imagine how it would go down if the government told us how many buttons we could have on our jackets these days.
vintagedancer - glad you enjoyed my 1940's fashion hub!
Absolutely loved this hub! I'm a history and fashion buff. I simply adore the clothing and the movies of the 40's. Mildred Pierce is great! I had no idea the war influenced the fashion industry as much as it did. Great reading!
Hi, wow! this was great! I loved all the different styles and the reasons why and how we changed, I remember back in the seventies, we had a forties revival over here, and one of the first type of skirts I wore out, was the box skirt made in the style of the forces, and of course I had a great box handbag, really enjoyed this, thanks nell
Linda - thank you! It's funny how fashion can shed so much of a light on history, how people really lived and what they liked. Thank you!
Nell - well, as a fellow Baby Boomer, I was young in the 70's too. We used to go to the thrift shops and buy those great 1940's jackets. Wish I still had a few! Thanks.
I love to see how style changes and the reasons. I think it is funny howwomen went from always wearing skirts and dresses to wearing pants. Now most females won't wear a skirt or dress unless made to. Nice hub and great pictures and videos
Love your blog! It is quite refreshing to see the past through the eyes of fashion. Also, it is so interesting to see how times have changed
Wendy - I remember reading an old Hardy Boys book to one of my sons. A female character in the novel wore pants and shocked everyone! My son loved reading older books to see how people looked at the world differently in a different time. Thanks!
Georgie - yes, it was interesting to read up on the fashions of the 1940's. I knew about rationing, but did not realize that fabric restrictions and button restrictions were by government decree. Thanks!
You obviously did a lot of research on this hub. Great job and thanks for the new information I got from this.
Wow, amazing pictures and informative article! Good job!
Marie - thank you! I wish I was able to find more pictures, though. So I had to resort to drawing some myself.
gloria - thank you!
You've done it again Dolores...another terrific vintage fashion hub. And thankyou for the link too.I wondered why I had a little spike in traffic on that hub!
Cheers
Jane - oh, that's so cool that you had a little lift! Yay! We're all part of a team here!
Voted up and awesome....This is so informative, I love the layout of your work. Well done :)
Really good hub, interesting videos and nice pictures.
Nice hub. Reminds me of the 1900s-2000s montage that Arrow and Reid & Taylor put up in their stores.
cookibuq - thank you. Glad you liked it!
tpe - I appreciate your saying so!
Josh - oh, that sounds so cool! I'd love to see it!
I really enjpyed every word of this hub. It amazes me how some many of the fashions from long ago come back into fashion.
you really did your homework !It's a big ammount of information well structured that's usually found in small spread pieces if you look for it . Kind of like making a puzzle ...I really enjoyed it .
you always have a great things to share, thank you
SJ - thank you! I think when a style looks good, it just keeps coming back. That's classic!
pink - thank you!
Rismayanti - thank you very much!
Interesting hub, even for a man!
Nice styles, and some great information.
Excellent hub - this era had some of the most elegant styles and they still look timeless today.
Forrest - thank you! Glad you liked the 40's fashion hub.
logoi - thank you!
dosburros - I think the point is that even with all the cutting back and restrictions, fashion designers were able to create attractive clothing. Thanks.
xiamenb - thank you! Glad you liked my 40's fashion hub!
Very excellent hub. Interesting. Amazing fashion trend change.
Those are nice pictures too. Great effort
Gideon Shalwick
Gideon - thank you very much!
Wow Dolores, I never knew and to this extent how fashion was influenced from wartimes, due to shortages...the number of pleats...how many buttons.
This is more than interesting. I love reading your work...
Gotta run....and check out your hub on Edwardian Fashion Trends.
imatellmuva - it seems odd that the government restricted fashions - could you imagine if they did it now! I remember my mother telling me about the restrictions of food, lard, sugar, etc. Everybody pitched in - of course they didn't have much choice! Thanks!
Wow - you should do a documentary on this! Really meaty subject matter.
Clara - meaty? There were government restrictions on the purchase of meat as well, haha. Thanks!
I'm really interesting in fashion and in history so putting them together is perfect! It looks like you've done a lot of research. Good job!
I love reading articles such as this one. It shows that there is so much more to fashion then the vain attributes it so often gets. Sometimes the "rougher times" creates opportunities for new innovation!
OHuman - thank you for the kind comment!
Yana - yes - imagine if the government restricted clothing in the US today. People would have a cow! Thanks for your input!
I always enjoy films of the 1940s and your Hub explains the fashion very well. I also enjoy your own setches! Rated up and several more.
Patty - hi! Yes, I love the 1940's movies too and used to watch them a lot when I was a teenager. I loved to see the clothing in the movies and bought several 40's jackets at thrift stores. Thank you very much!
Great hub! Fun, informative. Man, they really knew how to dress back then. I also appreciate all the details you provided. Thanks!
Im just happy we women can wear pants nowdays!
tp - they sure did. Despite the restrictions, the styles of the day were often glamorous and so smart!
Anya - and those ladies of the 1940's gave us permission to wear pants! They wore some wide, loose pants in the 30's at home and at the beach, but not everywhere. Thanks!
This is an excellent hub. I used to watch old motives to get design ideas. I think the detail in clothes of that era is unmatched. You paid a great tribute to fashion with this hub. The videos were a big plus.
I enjoyed reading this. You've done a great job reporting the era. I like your sketches too. Thanks for putting it all together to share. You have reminded us of what changes have been made on behalf of women over the years. Today we're the lucky recipients of these changes.
Cindy - thank you. I certainly enjoyed creating this one. Everytime I research fashion for a hub, I wind up reading up on the history of the era - always makes a big impact on the types of clothing people wore.
Fay - videos do really add a lot and I love the one with the Andrews Sisters. Thanks!
Happy to learn a lot new and awesome information about fashion trend of 1940s which had a big impact on fashion industry today!
This is an awesome hub. Very informative. Thanks!
I just love reading your hubs. Your knowledge of clothing and the history of it amazes me. If you saw how I dress you might be called the fashion police!
One of the most well researched and interesting hubs i've read in a while!
you have described the trends and aspects of fashion in good and detailed manner. i am curious to know more about it.
i love this hub! fashion history at its finest!
I am curious. Because you have such a high rating, about how much traffic do you get a day?
What a wonderful article. Loved it. Great pictures. It is so nice to get a feel of people through the history of art and fashion!
thank you so much.
I loved this article as I love this era of fashion and based a whole fashion collection on the 'Land Girls'
Very interesting hub. I think you have done lots of efforts to present changing fashion style.
I like dude.
char - thanks. Some of those dress styles were so classic - they lasted for a long time.
Edwin - thanks!
Mrs. J. B. - just because I've learned something does not mean that I have taken it up in real life, haha! Welcome to the club.
RS - thank you!
Jerry - thank you. I like to think of hubs, in general, as a nice introduction to a topic. For more in depth research, books are usually best.
laine - thank you!
svig - as far as traffic goes, maybe not as much as you might think. Hub score does not reflect earnings or traffic, but on a host of things. I've been here for quite some time now.
Katrina - oh yes. When we learn about the types of clothes people wore during a particular historical era, we understand them a bit better. Thanks!
RosWeb - I was just reading about the Land Girls for a hub on WWI, when they started the concept to help out on farms while the men were away at war. Hard outdoor work meant more practical clothing, a look that stayed with us to this day. Thanks!
austin - thanks! (You are reading hubs too fast. There is no dude here but in my cult hub, haha)
Good detail about how that was the period when Paris lost its stranglehold on world fashion. Just finished "A Movable Feast" by Hemingway, and he talks about the fact that Paris during that period of time between the two world wars was an intellectual wasteland, howbeit one where the shop windows were full of so many beautiful things that "it was the worst place in the world to be hungry."
doit - thank you. I started off just looking at pictures from the 1930's, decided to do up a hub on that time, then moved to the 1940's. Next, I moved further back in history. Reading about fashions of a particular period, I wound up reading about the history and events of each fashion era. Time consuming, but interesting. (Have not read Hemingway for some time)
Hub score does not reflect earnings or traffic, but on a host of things. I've been here for quite some time now.
chaussures - you got that right! I've had some snotty comments on my hub score. It's not my fault.
Love, love, love this hub! The 1940s is one of my favorite era for womens fashion. I also like that you used the clip from Mildred Pierce. Great movie!
Lovely hub and informative too! This hub is highly appreciated.
when u say snotty comments what do u mean?
Thank you for taking back to the 40's of fashion. Very interesting.
BRAVO!!!! Excellent hub! My favorite era of design!
amy - I hear that they have made a mini series of Mildred Pierce on cable. I shutter to think. How do they dare mess with such a classic!! Thank you!
fun - thank you!
ubalildon - oh I just mean rude comments that have little to do with the subject matter. I delete them. If they have something to do with the topic, I approve them and address appropriately. Thank you!
elena and Sararedhead - I love the 40's too. Lately, I've seen some very 40's looking vintage style shoes at the mall, just adorable shoes with polka dots, peep toes, and that classy 40's look. Thank you!
The two piece during those days are so conservative, now a days the two piece you see being wore on the pools and beaches are very revealing LOL!!
What a great Hub. I've always liked a lot of the clothes that were "big" during that era, but my mother (of that generation) used to so frequently say how "dreary the clothes were back then". I don't know if she just associated them with the overall mood of the time, but in the 80/90's she'd say how she liked so many of the clothes "the young girls" were wearing because they "looked so alive and young".
annejones - but don't forget that the middriff had never been shown in the past so these styles must have been quite shocking in their day. Thank you.
Lisa - maybe your mother meant that there was some simplicity during the 40's, due to war shortages, etc. But today, we see them as sleek and classic. I guess we all get sick of the things we see every day. Thank you!
Great hub! I really love it! What a great era the 40's was.
Christine - well the war stunk, that's for sure. But I often think of the people who lived then, come up during the Great Depression, I think of their values, and how they lived - they were the Greatest Generation no doubt about it. Thank you!
Hiiii, This is really a very great hub.... awesome... thanks for giving this 1940's information.....
Great piece of history. It's always neat to see how today's fashion came about all because of great woman in the past. Excellent.
Excellent hub you have here. i enjoy reading it.
Hi Dolores, this is a great hub.
It is important to know how women managed when fabric was restricted. Of course in World War II Britain, buyers needed clothing coupons to make a clothing purchase.
I have seen lovely underwear made of parachute silk.
Don't forget that nearly every woman could sew, and many had access to 19th century sewing machines powered by hand or by foot treadle.
We have so much variety in clothes now, but sadly we don't have the quality and variety of textiles to make them from that we had 50 years ago.
navasri - thank you!
mother nature - thank you for commenting.
chim - thank you for stopping in.
oldbooklover - really? I think we have a great selection of textiles! Linen is so readily available, along with interesting blends. And there are so many fabrics that don't really need ironing. They had to iron everything back then.
I remember my mother telling me about the coupons. You needed coupons for food as well.
Thanks Dolores,
I miss the good quality wool fabrics. They wore for years without losing their shape, and had wonderful textures, like Irish Tweed and the Scots Tweeds.
I also regret the super-fine cotton 'lawn' for blouses. And washable silks. Garment makers used to boast, 'It washes like a silk handkerchief.' Now most supposedly washable items aren't colorfast, 40 years ago that was rare.
But there is new interest in the odder animal-based fabrics. I recently saw an item about the wool from New Zealand's merino sheep being used for sports wear, as it doesn't hold sweat or smell and can be worn for ages without washing.
oldbooklover - we were just talking about the garments of the Middle Ages. Back then, you had a shirt (tunic) and it lasted your entire life! Imagine that! They were so durable and well made! Of course they didn't wash them a lot either. My mother used to say that hand washing made things really last.
Classic fashion is really fascinating…
I'm only new to this website but this is definitely the best researched and most profound Hub i have come across so far.
what a great article about the 40's style. amazing.
Dolores Monet,
Okay, wow there are a lot of great articles on Hubpages, but honestly this is one of the best I have "ever" read! Wow, I mean this hub is just awesome. The layout, the videos, pictures, and etc... are put together and arranged so incredibly well.
And I love 1940's fashion. I think that we hear a more about 1950's fashion, but personally the 40's is by far my favorite of the two. I also like how you incorporated how the War had an influence on 1940's fashion. Sometimes I think that people overlook that aspect of the 40's fashion generation.
This is definitely a hub that I would send out to all my friends.
~ Miss Lil’ Atlanta
Wow this hub rocks.
Very informative hub, great job with putting everything together. I enjoy fashions and different styles 20's, 30's, and 40's. The styles generally evolve around into our era. Really fun stuff! Thanks for sharing~
Wow! you got great knowledge! So are you making money with such great hubs?
Sandy & KR - thank you!
Atlanta - thank you so much. The fashions of the 1940's were all about WW II as the war so influenced the economy and the availability of materials, fabrics, etc. But restrictions did not kill fashion. The look was classic and influential to this day.
power - yes, I love the whole lot. But I say that about most of my historical fashion hubs. I am glad that we can see so many of the fashions of the early 20th century due to film and photography. Thank you.
Twinklering - ha - thank you. Well, I am not making so much money as you might think. I am slowly recovering after the Panda slap, traffic is creeping back up but not yet to what it was. People who are really making money create a lot more articles, and understand what kind of articles generate the most income. That is not me.
I learned so MUCH from this Hub! I had no idea how deeply the war had influenced fashion - from silk to sequins, from hair to hemlines! This was a very entertaining and informative read.
Love, love, love this piece! People sometimes dismiss the fashions of the 1940s as dull and conservative, but the social environment that influenced '40s style is so fascinating!
Pia - thank you! born in the 1950's as I was, I often heard stories about rationing during WW2, and had those thoughts in mind when I watched movies of the day, and looking at fashions of the 1940's. I myself did not realize how deeply the restrictions affected clothing from the width of lapels to the amount of leather used in shoes.
Hi, Goso - conservative yes, out of necessity, but how classic those dresses look to us today. I guess I love every fashion period, except the styles of the 1700's in France with the high wigs and ridiculous extravagance. But I should write one on those days to fill out the fashion history hubs, though I cringe. Haha.
Somewhere back in time. If one could only be a time traveler.
art-max - that's why I love old movies! Thanks!
Am amazing amount of fascinating information here. Great article!
This was really cool. I just joined so I am enjoying all of the neat articles. Thanks
Schoolofdress - well thank you and welcome to HubPages!
I love this I am usin this as a project I love it for my book I am working on thx u
I thoroughly enjoyed this article. Very informative. I've written my father's biography and learned much about the restrictions during world war II so I could add it to his history. This was the time he was courting my mother. I feel that we can understand more about our parents and grandparents if we learn what was happening during their life time. Such as this article that you have written. Loved the old movies you added. It really added a special touch to the article. Thanks for sharing this info.
Actually, 1940's vintage style flatter eyes in 2011! Thanks a lot for your brilliant post. It is really awesome!
Cutie - thank you!
linda - thank you for sharing. I wish that I could have found more photos. I should use pictures of my own mother from back then!
rock - thank you! Glad you liked.
I love your hub! I love the fashions of the 40's!!!! I watch old movies all the time even if they're bad to see the fashions! I also love the furniture...and the hair styles! Thank You!
regina - thank you! I love those old movies too!
Very awesome work on this site, that's why it compel's me to follow and write comment. Very nice
thank you this is very useful im doing my historyday project over this topic
Hi, am really impressed with these loaded and useful info on ladies fashion archive.Knowing the past will give one a better idea of what ladies fashion would be in our generation the 2000............... u did a wonderful job, thanks
Very interesting how the war influenced fashion. I never thought about it that way.
The fashions of the 1940's were so beautiful and elegant, some days I wish they would come back.
Nice hub!
~Allie
AllieRambles - I think a woman would look just great if wearing these fashions today. The simple skirts and sweaters are my favorites. When I was in my late teens, we could find 1940's clothing in the thrift shops all the time. Thanks!
What a fascinating article! It is always interesting how events influence not only affect our lives on a large scale but also on a smaller everyday level - right down to the clothes we wear.
Thanks for an insightful piece!
ancestralstory - I feel like, today, we can't really understand how our lives, the economy, politics, etc. influence fashion. Maybe we have to wait and look back to get it. Thank you!
Great article. I love looking at fashion through the ages. Thanks for sharing.
This is a lovely hub! Two splendid topics blended together- Fashion and History :) Great syntax! I also really enjoyed your writing style.
Great article. Informative and interesting. I particularly like the boogie woogie video.
I'm not big into fashion but enjoyed viewing your hub anyways. Glad I did not live back in the day when they had to wear so much material. Look at the bikini for example. Ugh! Voted up and interesting.
LittleLight - yes, historic fashion is so interesting, and can add interest to a particular period. Thank you!
DaBeatles - when I first became interested in creating historic fashion hubs, it seemed like adding a bit of the events of the day would add to it. Thanks!
Back in Style - me too! I love the Andrews Sisters and feel as if the video brings out a bit of the world at the time. Thanks!
athena - in the grand scheme of things, they wore way less fabric during the War, as it was needed for the military. Thanks!
creative butterfly - I've always been interested in the fashions of the '40's. My mother was young in those days, and so I had a witness. Plus, you could find a lot of the clothing in thrift shops. Thank you!
I love 1940s clothing. Awesome hub!
I am so glad to have found your series on fashion history. Fantastic work!
mwatkins 18 months ago
You have truly honored this era with your hub! I especially enjoyed your mention of my personal favorite-Katheryn Hepburn as being instrumental in the popularity of pants! Not to mention your video choices - all so very excellent! Thank you! This was a perfect way to start my day! Excellent! Bravo to you!