By Subhasree Nag
Has it ever happened that a man or a woman passed by in their perfectly groomed outfit and style, and you couldn’t resist but stare? It is only natural. A well-groomed person with the perfect outfit grabs attention and makes an amazing first impression.
Fashion always takes inspiration from the past. If we think carefully, it was the 1940s that influenced people deeply with their clothing and is still influencing what we wear today. Fashion in the 1940s focused mostly on comfort rather than the aesthetic part of it.
1940s style has something alluring about it that catches the attention of every passing person. Other than focusing on comfort, it was also about inventiveness and toughness. To be precise, the 1940s fashion and classic, elegant, and everlasting.
1940s fashion: What men wore during the World War II
During World War II, men wore plain suits in neutral colors like black, grey, tan, and navy. Vests, pocket flaps, and trouser cuffs reduced in popularity as there was a need for sturdy clothes like shirts and trousers made of cotton or gabardine.
After that, the government made specific rules for tailoring the clothes. They were not allowed to wear double-breasted jackets, no buttons or slits on the cuff, and there had to be three pockets or less than that.
Trousers and tailoring
Back in the day, men’s fashion was all about fitted suits and that represented Polishness and class. The suits had structured looks with broad shoulders and jackets, giving a total power look.
The aim was to make them look strong, so they focused on the slim waist and wide shoulders. This showed how they loved getting dressed, paying attention to details, and setting fashion standards.
These days, we talk about “male frugal fashion” and “female frugal fashion,” which focus on timelessness, price and quality. 1940s fashion was also a lot like that. Their fashion was timeless, they made those from quality material yet were mindful about not wasting anything.
Chic leisure clothing
People then loved looking chic, even in their casual clothes, without putting in a lot of effort. Guys paired trousers with some cozy knitwear and tried to incorporate the mustard color to add a dash of color to make the attire look lively.
The casual yet stylish way of dressing became the trend, and everyone dressed up chic even when they were going for a casual outing.
Shoes and hats
Hats and shoes were in trend and one of the essentials of 1940s fashion. Pairing a hat with their attire added some extra elegance to their look. Men had options for their footwear. They could choose between practical Oxfords or chunky platforms.
1940s fashion: What women wore during the World War II
Women’s fashion in the 1940s was more like a uniform. Skirts, dresses, and blouses had shapes, patterns, and standard lengths. Below-the-knee skirts, squared shoulders, and narrow hip suits were among the popular.
As more women started working out, they started wearing wide-legged slacks for their convenience. It is easier to work in pants than skirts. In the beginning, they only wore these pants while working, but later, they implemented them into their everyday wear and transformed them into pantsuits.
Utility suit: Skirt suits for women
At the beginning of the war, the chiffons and satins that dominated the 1930s went out of style, and all kinds of silk were reserved for the war efforts. Practical fashion can in and dominate the market.
There was little to no waste in the production, and it began with the making of woolen suit skirts for women. Even though it was not a novel item, it was inspired by men’s clothing. The silhouette was slim and narrow with accentuated shoulders. The waist was nipped, and accessories came in the form of breast pockets and belts.
Shirtwaist dresses
Before the “New Look” came in, the knee-length shirtwaist dresses ruled the 1940s. The ones with caps on sleeves and collars were particularly famous. Ginger Rogers wore a version of the dress in Kitty Foyle, and ever since, it has been known as the Kitty Foyle dress.
It is a simple skirt, A-line, to be precise, with very little volume but gives a polished look. The collar added to the look and did not even cost extra material. It gave a demure look without causing any fuss.
Innovative accessories
During the war, there was a scarcity of fashion fabrics, and that is when home sewers and designers got innovative and scrappy. Back then, hats were a mandatory accessory for women, and it got reduced in size.
They started wearing them at an angle, and designers started making them from different materials. Turbans and snoods came into fashion and that was more practical than the traditional ones. They kept the hair in place and looked amazing as well.
Leather was not in supply, and that is when people had to come up with alternative materials like espadrilles and cork. They even tried scarves in different ways as an alternative. They learned how to wear these scarves as a headpiece.
How was the fashion trend after the war?
During the late 1940s, after the war ended, there was no more rationing. Men and women had access to expensive accessories and clothing. Designers could also choose from a variety of fancy fabrics, laces, and textiles. The fashion industry boomed after that.
Fashion icons: Hollywood set the trend
Hollywood took in the trend and gave a lot of content to the magazines to feed onto. There were movies like The Big Sleep, Gilda, and A Philadelphia Story, where actors wore clothes and owned the screen with confidence. They dressed in more command than any model could.
Actors like Ingrid Bergman, Rita Hayworth, Lauren Bacall, and Veronica Lake were dressed by designers like Jean Louis, Orry-Kelly, Gilbert Adrian, and Edith Head, and the output of their collaborations made history in the fashion industry.
Katherine Hepburn wore a tuxedo in Woman of the Year and made a statement as a woman while doing so.
The cultural influence of 1940s fashion
Fashion was a big part of society and showed what it was all about. The movie stars showed women a way of dressing that spoke of sophistication and showed them how they could dress elegantly.
The world took the hints and started making accessories and clothing that gave the same vibe as those movies. People were influenced and changed the way they dressed in their everyday lives as well.
1940s fashion was like a mirror to society. It showed what was happening in society, especially when the war changed how things used to be. Resources were scarce, and people had to think practically.
This is where simple and useful outfits came in, as they had to utilize whatever they had within their reach and be mindful of what they were doing. Women started working outside, as men went to fight the war, and their clothing changed too.
They required outfits for their new job and their daily wear as well. They were preparing for a simpler life but with trendy clothes. 1940s fashion was not just about looking good but also about adapting to change and how they were dealing with the tough times.
WWII fashion vs. current fashion
These days, women are still wearing attire with square shoulders, knee-length skirts, and sports jackets. These are the key elements of 1940s fashion. Women were still wearing utilitarian skirts and dresses to get the vintage look.
Moreover, the modified version of the wide-leg slacks that was introduced in the 1940s is quite popular these days, and even celebrities are incorporating it in their styles. These pants are often paired with silk or cotton tops to get a formal look at events.
Men are still wearing suits and are considered essential for any business meetings and formal events. However, suits have also become a part of the street style recently. You will often find men wearing slacks and blazers to get that high-fashion look.
Sometimes people pair suits with polo shirts and plain T-shirts as well. Also, trendy styles that people pick up today, like aviator sunglasses, bomber jackets, chinos, and trench coats, have their origin in the 1940s in WWII military clothing.
Trending then, trending now: Incorporate the retro in your wardrobe
You can add a touch of 1940s fashion to your wardrobe without much difficulty. You can start by adding some vintage pieces, some A-line trousers, and skirts to get that perfect classic look.
Try on some retro blouses with bows and ruffles around the neck. You can also incorporate some knitwear to get that old-school vibe, some cardigans and sweaters and you will achieve what you were aiming for.
Polka dots and floral patterns were in trend back then and now you can easily try those to get that vintage vibe. Trying on some accessories like hats and aviators would add to your look and give you that classic elegance.
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