Despite the hardships of WWII,
fashion in the 1940s was creative and innovative. 'Make do and Mend' was
a pamphlet full of useful tips issued by the British Ministry of
Information in the midst of WWII, it encouraged housewives to be both
frugal and stylish in times of harsh rationing.
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| Make do and Mend pamphlet |
The rationing of the 1940s enforced
an era of required minimalism. The shortage of fabric created the
popularity of the two piece suit known as a Victory or Utility suit, which took on a sleek, military look. Women could mix and match skirts,
blouses and jackets for a new outfit everyday. Even after the war the
suits remained popular due to its comfort and practicality.
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| The Victory suit |
During the war years, hats still remained very fanciful and continued to play an important role in women's fashion. It may
have been even more important than usual, as many of the materials that
went into the making of hats were not rationed, although it was
commonplace to add a corsage made of fresh flowers or feathers to
snazz it up. Many women also owned corsages made of artificial flowers
or gathered netting to accessorise a dress.
Precious gemstones and diamonds became difficult to source, the 1940s
saw a revival of gold jewellery and experimentation with a wider range
of gemstones such as citrine. During this period costume jewellery still mimicked fine jewellery.
If the 1940s is your favourite decade for fashion, make sure you plan a trip to
Vintage Modes, here's a selection of what you might find:
All items posted are for sale.
If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London
Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk
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