“As long as there is
a desire for change and sense of fantasy- there will be fashion.”
–Vogue 1940
The 1940’s were considered the most
popular era for reproduction and vintage wear.
Frivolous and glamorous style was out. Trends of this wartime era represented
practicality and utilitarian way of life.
Women used household items to create uniqueness to their outfits without
wasting or spending too much money.
Women’s fashion combined style and practicality to achieve sophistication.
During this time women’s dresses were knee- length
and had padded shoulders, suits, and pants also emerged throughout this
decade. Shorter jackets that had a
peplum style became very popular. Hats
were the “it” item, especially if they were created from recycled items. Christian Dior created the “new look” in
1947, which consisted of longer and fuller skirts and helped to create a more
“classic” feminine image. Some designers
of this time included, Christian Dior, Vera Maxwell, Bonnie Cashin, Anne Klein,
and Jacques Heim. Dior wasn’t the only
designer creating new styles. Vera
Maxwell was the first designer to use Ultra Suede in her designs, Bonnie Cashin
introduced women to boots, Anne Klein launched her ready to wear line, which
revolutionized women’s sports wear.
Jacques Heim (fashion designer) and Louis Reard (engineer) created the
“worlds smallest bathing suit” in May 1946- which was in fact the first
two-piece bathing suit.
Men's fashion in the 1940s enjoyed
what some consider its last great hurrah in elegance and style. by the end
of the war there was a development of the style that is most often associated
with the swing era. Men’s clothing was full-cut again, with double-breasted,
longer jackets and wider trousers. Shirts and coats came in a range of colors
and hand-painted silk ties ran the range from elegant to exotic - featuring
geometric designs or pin-up girls. Everyone wore a tie and through it, a man
could express his individuality. The
high- waisted, baggy and low-crotched trousers with the narrow ankle and
oversized jackets had a powerful influence on men's fashions in the 1940s.
Besides being an ideal outfit to wear while jitterbugging, the high waists and
boxy, roomy coats were flattering, as well as comfortable. They gave a man more
substance, something he wanted to project during such desperate times. Considering how traditional things were in
the 1940s, it may be hard to believe that men were so daring and experimental
with their fashion choices. Whether opting to wear Hawaiian shirts, zoot suits,
hats or hand-painted ties, men took fashion risks that paid off. The result was
stylish, tailored and fabulous.
Ethical Questions:
1. Is it unethical to wear flashy clothes during the 1940s
when everyone is supposed to be practical?
2. Can you be accused of being unpatriotic by wearing color
and natural fiber clothing?
3. Just because the war is over, there are still people who
struggle everyday in the states. Does
that mean men and women need to continue to wear practical and austere
clothing?
4. Is it ethical to wear a zoot suit if it was commonly worn
by gangsters?
References:
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