1940's Fashion - Womens Dress Code in the War Years.1940's Make-up Styles .
For the definitive breakdown on 1940's makeup styles, see the Vintage Makeup Guide
The 1940s Make-up & Beauty Guide - Instant Download.
See also 1940's Fashion - Womens Dress Code after the War
The following links are also packed with delicious and beautifully illustrated articles on all aspects of womens fashion and beauty in the 1940's. They also feature archive fashion films from our YouTube Channel.
Vintage Swimwear of the 1940's.
1940's womens hairstyles.
New York Womens Fashion n the late 1940's.
1940's fashion - How to wear Fully Fashioned Stockings.
A Young Womans Wardrobe Plan 1947.
Bettys Winter Wardrobe Plan 1948.
1940's Wedding Dress Fashions.
1940's Vintage Makeup Guide.
What Makeup did women really wear in the 1940's?
The Complete 1940's Makeup Guide and History.
Silhouette.
Broad padded square shoulders, trim waist and hips, with shoulder length curled hair.
See The 1940's Silhouette
The 1940's silhouette above from a 1940 issue of Woman, suggests that women take into account their 'real' body shapes. Some of the descriptions like " Matrons Bulge" are hilarious.
below a page from John Peacocks 20th Century Fashion, gives a clear guide to how the silhouette developed in the first half of the 1940's.
Bodice.
Fitted with drapery, ruching or gathers; padded shoulder.
Neckline.
High round, sweetheart, small collars.
Shoes.
Oxfords, Pumps and Sandals were the order of the day. Visit the Complete guide to 1940's womens shoes
Sleeves.
Inset, short or long, puff.
Skirt.
Knee-length, flared, straight, single pleat plaid skirts.
Fabric
Wool, cotton, linen, easy-care synthetics.
Trimmings
Limited buttons, contrast color collars and cuffs, patch pockets
Color
Subdued, blue grey, bottle green, donkey brown.
Accessories
Tiny hats, large bags, shoes with high thick heels and some wooden soles.
For more popular posts on the style and fashions of the glamourous 1940's visit the following:
1940's fashion - A Womans Guide to Posture.
1940's Fashion - A Vintage Guide to being Glamourous.
Lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteGotta love 1940's fashion, I just think they were so elegant back then.
ReplyDeleteWell dressed with panache!
ReplyDeleteBring back the good old days..
Terrific list, there is such an element of practicality to many of these pieces, yet they still managed to be so elegant, feminine and timeless.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a beautiful Monday & week ahead, sweetie!
♥ Jessica
A lovely summing up of 40's style, both in pictures and words, thanks.
ReplyDeleteA work of art, presenting the women's dresses of the time. Most enjoyeable!
ReplyDeleteI'm a 13 year old girl. I think neon skinny jeans neon shirts, bright glasses, Vans, and striaight hair is the way 2 go.....you can never go wrong with studs. Espcially stud bracelets or rainbow studed belts. Purple is the new black girls. =)
ReplyDeletei love these close their old styles it just makes you wish you were there designing them going shopping for new clothing and those coke~a~cola was amzing back then i've heard it's all just very fasanating to me,i just love everthing like thats.
ReplyDeleteCool clothes they are very different from what people wear today!! I think that was a very good blog!! Like it alot
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love the attire & style of the 40s.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I have always admired 1940's fashion.
ReplyDeleteIf i could go back to any decade, this would be the one!! I love their clothes, swimsuits and accessories!! this was truely amazing! nice work :D
ReplyDeletemm.... I just wanted to ask, if someone tried to wear like in the 40's, you know, change all her wardrobe. Cause i want to do it, bu I don't know if it's difficult, maybe now they don't make vintage clothes or anyting
ReplyDeleteI love the 40s fashion. Its so cute
ReplyDeleteI'm starting off in a WWII reenactment group, and your page has been invaluable for putting my outfits together (I'm in the "Homefront Auxiliary"). :) I especially like the information about nail color and make up! The most difficult thing to find, unfortunately, is 40s style undergarments to help get that silhouette! I've bookmarked your blog and look forward to exploring more of it!
ReplyDeletei like her sensible shoes. Bring back more silly clothes. they make me smile when they fall over. i like bm bm biscuits. i want them now. my face is now angry. I am carpet today. I cant read.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff. I love the 1940's fashion!
ReplyDeleteSo chic. Love it.
ReplyDeleteNike Chillemi
I love vintage clothing, very sophistcated and elegant. I would so wear them if i could find them. M.D.H.
ReplyDeleteplease help in trying to get a 40's costume for a play and its difficult.
ReplyDeletelike this!
ReplyDelete