The 1940’s
War dominated the decade.
Fashions adapted to
wartime conditions:
•
•
•
•
•
Ball point introduced
First computer built
Microwave oven invented
Bikini introduced
Polariod invented
Wartime Fashions
• Hair was obviously dyed.
• Hairstyles were important
because they were cheaper
than hats.
• Nail polish became
common.
– The French fashion
industry was still strong
despite the
occupation of Paris
Rationing:
Different colours were spent at different times.
A week of food rations
clothes were also rationed
• The coupon
system allowed
people to buy one
completely new
set of clothes
once a year.
Clothes were designed to meet these
limitations
• Shoes had wooden heels because leather
was hard to find.
• Shoes, bags &
gloves matched.
Restricted fabric = short skirts
• Details were added
that did not add to the
price (or materials
required)
Hats became
important fashion
statements
Feathers were not
rationed and
bird populations
were threatened
• Turbans were an
easy way to hide
hair & prevent
Workplace accidents
• Hollywood was
not rationed because
elaborate movies
were good for moral
new clothes were rare
• Clothes and
materials were in
short supply.
'Make do and mend'.
• Fashion magazines
were even filled
with advice on how
to remake clothes.
Some changes were the
result of technological
developments
•
Nylon was invented!
Nylon was invented
•
http://glamourdaze.com/2010/04/1940s-fashion-how-to-wear-fully.html
http://glamourdaze.com/2010/04/1940s-
• but it was rationed too
Pants were popular
• they eliminated the need for stockings
• were easy to work and bicycle in.
Working girls even
wore jeans and
ankle socks!
Menswear inspired womenswear
•
The military
look was
popular
with women’s
wear
Christian Dior’s
New Look
shocked
the world
Fashion Icons
• Rita Hayworth was know for her long red
hair.
• Lana Turner exposed her curves in a tight
sweater and started a fad. Girls who
followed this style were known as sweater
girls.
• Betty Grable was know for her legs.
Terms
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•
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Turbans
Wedge heels (shoes)
The New Look
The Snood
Peplum
The Zoot Suit
• Said to have come from the
New York jazz scene in the late
1930’s
• became the uniform of young
Black and Mexican Americans.
• exaggerated cartoon like style
• wide baggy legged trousers,
worn high on the waist with
tight cuffs at the ankles.
ZOOT SUIT Assignment:
The zoot suit was a
symbol of independence
and rebelliousness. It was
associated with black and
hispanic culture and,
indicated to some, a lack
of patriotism.
Sources
• http://www.1940.co.uk/acatalog/frenchamerican-and-british-wartime-fashion.html
• http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/544203/
1940s-fashion-the-decade-captured-in-40incredible-pictures.html