Talking about 40s, it is difficult not to associate the era with a practical side of the very charm and elegance. The decade, being the aftermath of the World War II period, was more or less forced to go for clothes that were simple, lasting, and smart. Even in the fashion sphere, however, restrictions of the time had never put style in the shade. Let alone that the 40s left us with some of the most memorable fashion which is still referenced today. A glance at those times lets us see what the period looked like.
What Fashion Was Popular in the 40s?
Wardrobe of the 1940s was largely dependent on the World War II era. The women were dressing in knee-length skirts, shoulder-padded blouses, and jackets with a fitted shape. At the same time, men had a habit of wearing wide-legged trousers, and structured suits built like a jacket top. All clothing featured a very clean and tailored aspect. There was an absolute economy in production, so garments were designed with multiple purposes but always fashionable ones.
>A lot of photos of my grandma taken during that time period are pictures of her in shirtwaist dresses and well-dressed coats. She let me know a number of times that women then used ingenuity to make their garments seem like they were from a new stock by adding something to it like accessories notwithstanding the shortage of the fabrics.
What to Wear for a 1940s Party?
Are you attending a 1940s party? Then you only need to dress as if you are that polished kind of person. The best outfit for a woman would probably be a tea dress that comes with a waist cinching feature. Victory rolls added to your hair, a pair of seamed stockings and the era-famous red lipstick could do the trick. In the case of a man, a double-breasted suit along with a pair of suspenders and a nice pair of shoes will work.
I though 1940s-themed dance was wonderful, I wore a navy blue swing dress and rolled up my hair into curls. The audience did not tire of how authentic it looked, and to be honest, it was awesome to live back in time for a night.
How to Look Like 1940s?
The 1940s look is much easier to get than you suppose. The main thing to remember are the decisive silhouettes. For instance, a woman would look smashing with been fitted-shouldered, belt-waisted, and A-line kilted. A man is recommended to dress up with the cuffs-off shirts, coordinated ties, and trousers like a wide-legged. And if you don’t forget hair—soft curls for women, sleek styles for men—you are good to go.
There is no need to go all out with vintage clothes. Just by having one 40’s-inspired clothing piece from your modern-day wardrobe you can let people know you have that classic touch.
What Colors Were Popular in Fashion During the 1940s?
Due to fabric rationing at the beginning of the 40s, the fashion was dominated mostly by neutral and muted colors. The palette was navy, brown, gray, and olive green. But the fall of the war buoyed the colors back to fashion gradually. The reason for the 40’s joy and optimism movement was it’s red, blue and yellow colors.
>>My grandmother told me one day she jst dyed a very old dress pink just to mark the end of the war. It was her way of letting colors back into her life. That story always brings a smile to my face.
What Jewellery Was Worn in the 1940s?
Women from the 40s were the great lovers of the 40s’ chic that were the gems, albeit not very flashy. The 40s women were decorated with brooches, large bracelets, and necklaces. Pearls were trendy not only for luxurious apparel but also as a must for women of the 40s in order to make their own accessories because of the shortage of metals caused by the war. A very apparent example of this is the growing preference of costume jewelries’ after the 1940s.
>Even if you happen to wear a vintage brooch or a string of pearls, your clothing can still be reminiscent of the traditional 40s style which has an everlasting appeal.
Why 40s Fashion Still Matters
40s still inspires the fashion world because it was a perfect blend of the practical and the gorgeous. The limitations did not prevent people from creating beauty. That is a very strong spirit. You see the 1940s influence very much alive whether you are wearing a modern outfit with vintage pieces or you are styling up for a themed event.
If you are still interested in presenting a clean and timeless look the next time, why wouldn’t you incorporate some 40s styles into your wardrobe?
One cannot dispute that the 40s fashion was just not about clothes, it was also the era of the triumph of the human spirit, creativity, and optimism.