What was the common clothing style in the 1940's?

Answer 1

Mens' and women's fashions in the US and Europe were somewhat influenced by military dress throughout the 1940's. Many more women entered the workforce in the 1940's and suits became more common for them.

Women's dresses and skirts went just below the knee, and women wore pants more often than in previous decades. Denim jeans and gingham shirts or tight sweaters were fashionable for women's casual wear.

Fashion in menswear changes more gradually than women's. Denim jeans became an item for casual wear, not just for work or children. For casual wear, gabardine shirts and jackets made from DuPont Rayon were introduced, sometimes blended with wool.

Women's dress wear included suits with padded shoulders form fitting skirts and platform open-toed shoes. Men's suit coats were often double breasted with long and wide lapels and shoulder pads. Suit pants were usually pleated with cuffs, high waistlines and somewhat baggy, with more fabric than today's fashions. Ties were short and wide, often printed with abstract geometric or floral designs. Wing-tip shoes and fedora hats were common dress wear accessories,

Bermuda shorts for men and culottes for women became more common for casual wear for adults in summer. Sandals for men and women became more common. Hawaiian shirts became more common for men, perhaps influenced by the US presence in the south Pacific.

Solid colors predominated. Charcoal, olive green, brown and navy blue for men's and women's suits. Likewise for shirts and blouses. A dress shirt for a man meant white starched cotton.

Generally speaking, people dressed better in past decades than they do now. The clothing itself was of a much better quality, and people kept their clothing longer.

A $32 J.C. Penny off-the-rack men's wool suit from 1946 would cost over $1200 in today's money. The material alone would cost over $700 and would be the finest, top-shelf Italian wool. Materials were thicker and heavier and kept their shape.