Fashion in the 1940s

Fashion has been the way of the world for centuries. There is a new trend for every season and every year. From platform shoes and bell bottom jeans in the 70s to stilettos and leg warmers in the 80s and to today's flamboyant, exotic designs seen on today's runway. Fashion has come a long way. It ultimately began with rebellious women during the Feminist movement in the 1900s to about the 40s. Women broke out of their "daintly" shells and went from petite coats and balloon gowns to shorter skirts and shorter hair and to the most infamous thing of the time, pants. The decade in which fashion was a big hit was the 1940s or also referred to as the Big Band Era. Like a majority of trends, the way people dressed was influenced by Swing music.


Prior to World War II, Paris, France was the fashion capital of the world. American designers traveled there to see the ever so famous haute couture on the runway for ideas for new American fashion. The booming industry of fashion developed during World War II when Paris fell to German rule on June 14, 1940 and German occupation began o control haute couture. Germany moved the French couture houses to the German capital, Berlin, during the war.Which then put Berlin ahead in fashion world. American designers were unable to go to fashion week in Paris and instead worked on sportswear. This led to America being the sportswear capital of the world.

In 1941, the manufacturing of war goods became America's number one priority. The government the entire stock of natural fabrics and forcing manufacturers to concentrate on substituting other fibers for domestic garments. The industry stocked up on rayon production as Nylon stockings disappeared completely in 1943.

On March 8, 1942 issued a regulation on every aspect of clothing known as L-85. Stanely Marcus, the apparel consultant to the War Production Board, stated that it was the patriotic duty of the designer to design fashions that would remain stylish through multiple seasons. In response, American designers created a new line of suits for women. Skirts were short and matched with short jackets. Sheath evening dresses replaced long flowing gowns or the 30s. McCall, an American designer, transformed men's suits into ladies' suitsand women's dresses into children's clothing. The 40's trend was conservative and very much sophisticated.


Fashion of the 1940s has triggered some of today's trends such as Menswear, the litte black dress and amongst many others. The fashion industry is constantly evolving and is very unpredictable.