What Was the Style Of Clothing in the 40s?

Fashion in the 1940's can be divided into two periods.  The first period was one of modesty and limitations as America entered the war and restrictions were placed on fabric used.  The second period was one of freedom and creativity as these restrictions were lifted.

Dresses

With strict rationing of fabric in place, the mid calf dresses of the 1930's became knee length.  The top of the dress had a masculine look with squared shoulder pads.  The neckline came in varieties from sweetheart to shirred, but never showed cleavage. 

Convertible Suits

A type of suit called the convertible suit became very popular. This allowed women to mix and match A line skirts, blouses and jackets as they pleased, creating a new outfit everyday with minimum pieces.  These suits remained popular even after the war, due to its practicality.  There were no pleats in these skirts, as that wasted fabric. Since silk stockings were no longer available, many women would draw a line down their legs with eyeliner to imitate the seam in these stockings. 

Pants

Pants were seen for the first time on women, as they needed clothing suitable to wear in factory jobs.  These pants were high waisted, had a button or zipper on the side and had full legs with wide cuffs.

Coats

Women wore long, square, coats.  They had a few buttons down the front and different necklines. 

Shoes

The shoes of the 1940's were plain and chunky.  They came in velvet, reptile skins, and wood since leather was needed for the war.  The heels of these shoes became thinner in the later 1940's, and became known as pumps. 

Bathing Suits

Swimsuits were either one piece or two-piece suits.  One-piece suits had a tighter fit with padded bras.  The two-piece suits were much like the one piece, with the middle cut out.  The bottom piece came up high above the belly button. 

Hats

Hats were very popular in the 1940's, and came in different styles.  One of the most popular was the small hat with a veil.  Women in factories often wore a scarf tied around and up to keep their hair out of their face. 

Suits

Civilian men at home during the war switched their three-pieced, double-breasted jackets to single-breasted jackets. They lost their vests and trouser cuffs.  They wore high-waisted trousers with suspenders.  Suits came in plain, solid colors and were worn with plain white shirts.  The men who were not wearing an Army cap might wear a wide-brimmed fedora.

Post-War

The end of the war brought the end of restrictions.  Women's skirts became longer and fuller and shirts became shaplier.  These wider skirts with pleats allowed women the freedom to move in the latest craze, swing dancing.  Men's clothing went from simple to full-cut, long clothing.  Long coats and full-cut trousers were the new norm and came in a wide range of colors.  The hand-painted silk tie was a necessity and the variety available let each man express his individuality.  As men returned from the war, they also brought with them the Island shirt.  These tropical prints became very popular. 

The New Look

In 1947, Christian Dior created the "New Look" that would change fashion forever.  The look consisted of a full skirt that fell to mid-calf, a large bust and a small waist.  Since the fabric restriction was lifted, he used 20 yards of fabric in his pieces.  This New Look had a huge impact and influenced fashion designers for many years to come.