1940-1950

World War II Fashion

In the decade on 1940 the second world war began, and like the first world war, it cause massive impact on women's fashion. 
Most of the big time fashion houses closed and designing new clothes stood still for at.There wasn't any real design from 1939 to 1945 and people were cutting up dresses from the past. using a slogan "make do and mend" to encourage this. Many people also wore uniforms and working clothes. women still cared about their appearance though. A scarf was worn around the head for protection from the machines, women tended to work in factories helping out in the war.the shortage or tights meant women drew lines down their legs with a eye pencil, representing the line at the back of tights. Day dresses with these pretend tights became the norm in  1940's British fashion. the day dresses were influenced from america as the war brought men over from america to Britain and therefore shared their culture. These dresses were short (most came to the knee, others higher)and very practical, this meant it was easy to move around in and dance. dancing which was very much needed in bleak times. I like how the little day dress brought a lift back into that terrible time, I love the colours and the style of the dress, its simple yet flattering. 

The New Look 

two years after the second world war ended, french designer Christian Dior introduced the New Look. The silhouette he defined had had its beginnings in the late 1930's, but during the war its development was put on hold until countries started showing again in 1944. Before and during the war a square-shouldered and boxy utility suit, which saved on fabrics during rationing. The New Look collection launched in February 1947, included rounded or sloped shoulders; a tiny, nipped-in waist (achieved via a short corset and other undergarments); padded and rounded hips; and a very full skirt with heavy pleating. extra fabric and a petticoat helped create the skirt's fullness. This return to extravagance and the femininity of the past was perplexing to some, but others found it refreshing and alluring.