1940s Research

Everyday Life:

Life was hard during the 40s the war made it difficult for everyone, community sprit was encouraged during these hard times, and phrases such as 'Digging for Victory' and 'Make Do and Mend' became popular. Young children where evacuated out of major cities, and women where expected to fill the gaps left by men who had gone to fight. The Blitz was the German campaign to bomb Britain it took place during 1940 &1941.

Fashion:

Clothes where Rationed from June 1941 and this created 'Make do and mending' what you had. "The New Look’ by Dior revolutionised the fashion industry. However, with material still rationed, the extravagant look remained beyond the reach of most people."

Materials:

Fabric production was restricted the 1940s and the majority of clothing came in a limited colour pallets. Printed fabrics where mostly kept for casual clothes, day dresses, Blouses and children's clothing. Rayon was a popular fabric for dresses and rayon wool for suits. Wool became a very popular material to use as well to knit with. Cotton was another popular fabric for summer clothing. Other popular fabrics are Jersey, Silk, Velvet, Net, Flannel, Flannelette(A soft flannel manly used to sleep in), Gabardine (suiting type fabric made of wool or rayon blends.) and Chambery(Alight soft denim mainly used for children's clothing).

Embellishments and Trims:

White lace, Rickrack or eyelet ruffle edging was the most popular at the time. Plastic buttons where chosen for their novelty shapes and bold colours that stand out.

Colour Palette:

The popular colour pallet in the 1940s consisted of strong, bold and vibrant

colours "the most popular 1940s colours are navy blue, wine red, yellow gold, forest green, bright red and copen blue" In summer lighter versions of theses colours where popular Pastel pinks, yellows and blues

Patterns:

Small Polka Dots became a classic print of the 1940s, Dots on white especially became popular for summer and Plaid was popular in the winter months

Most woollen fabric where plain however some came with prints with narrow stripes, plaid and checks. Small, vibrant, artistic floral prints.

Men's Silhouette:

During this time 'The Victory Suit' was born, it was made of mixed synthetic fibres to reduce the amount of natural fibres used. The jacket was shorter and trousers where worn high waisted and where narrower with no pleats or cuffs usually just a pressed seam down the centre. The men's dress shirt typically had large pointed collars paired with a flamboyant tie. There was also a strict limitation on zips and buttons that weren't used unless absolutely necessary.

Women's Silhouette:

Women's undergarments consisted of lightly cone shape bras and garter belts or girdles that would sit over the knickers and would hold up stockings and help create the desirable hour glass silhouette. Stocking where nude in colour and had a kitted seam along the back and held up by the suspender belt. Nylon became scares as it was used in parachutes and aeroplane cords, so some women would get creative and pain seams on the backs of their legs with tanning solution. Either a full or half slip would then be worn to help create a smooth shape. During the war dress lengths became shorter to help save fabric,

The shirtwaist dress became an icon of the decade with a knee length A-line skirt and button down top with modest sleeves and a high neckline. Shoulders where squared off in both dresses and blouses to create a more manly shape on the shoulders and the bodice was fitted and cinched in with a tie or belt. Women tended to pin curl their shoulder length hair and brush it out into soft waves some popular hair styles at the time are Victory rolls, bumper bangs, coffees and pompadours. Beret, fedoras and turpins where popular head wear at the time as well as hand made hair flowers. Women wore red lipstick as a symbol of victory and patriotism. Heels were called pumps at the time and where shorter and thicker than they are today, they sometimes had a small opening at the toe. Day bags became larger and more practical than before.