What Kind of Clothing Did Women Wear in WW1?

At the start of World War I great changes began to take place in women's fashion. The major change that affected this time period amongst women's clothing was the hemline of their dress or skirt. This dramatic and bold change along with other fashion updates shaped the future for women in the years to come.

World War I took place from 1914 through 1918. During that time women became a bit more daring as they raised their dresses and skirts up a notch. Previously the length of their dresses and skirts went from being floor length to ankle length. With the onset of World War I they became more brave in how they dressed and the latest fashion was now to have the dress or skirt hemlines come up to about the middle of the calf of their leg.

Due to the war, it was also now more practical for a woman to wear slacks. It was also more practical for a woman to crop her hair short to avoid any injuries, as some women were employed by factories. The majority of the woman did not take to cutting their hair off right away. This was a gradual process. As more and more woman cut their hair, many followed suit. Short hair is still a fashion statement to this day.

Suits for women became more popular during World War I. The suit was basically styled like a man’s suit, but with softer lines and paired with a delicate, but high neckline blouse. The colors of clothing at this time were drab. It was blamed that there was a shortage of dye due to the war. The other shocking but relevant change that took people by surprise during World War I was women's shoe style. The boots that buttoned from top to bottom now took the back seat to the newest fashion amongst women. Women were throwing the dowdy boots away in favor of the sleek and elegant high-heeled shoe. To pull the look of the new and shortened hemline together even more, women starting donning flesh colored, silk stockings. Fashion was taking America by surprise.