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Vintage Dancer | 1940s Fashion | 1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire

1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire

1940s Fashion History· Mens Fashions History

27 Apr 2017
1940s formal men's attire, tuxedos, wedding evening suits

1940s formal men’s attire

Dressing up in black tuxedos, tails, or dinner jackets was a regular affair even in the depression of the 1930s. For city folks and those wealthy enough to afford a night out for dinner and dancing, gentlemen always wore formalwear, as did the wait staff and musicians. During wartime, men’s 1940s formalwear was put aside as many nightclubs were shut down, and instead the focus was on practical day wear. Those who did venture out for a night on the town pieced together older dinner suits or wore their nicest business suits or military uniforms instead. Often times, the staff was better dressed than the customer.

After the war, there was a return to formal attire, but now with a more relaxed look and less rigid rules governing what to wear to a black or white tie event.

Advertiser

To rent a tuxedo visit The Men’s Warehouse online. 

Article Outline

    • Wartime Restrictions
  • 1940s White Tie Formalwear
  • 1940s Black Tie
  • Summer Whites Semi-Formal
  • Men’s 1940s Formalwear for You
    • Here are some 1940s style formal clothes to buy online

Wartime Restrictions

1940s Black tie dinner suit (tuxedo jacket)

Black Tie Dinner Suit

The few men who did continue to wear formalwear in the 1940s were usually of an older class. Manufacturers who made formal suits were limited by the War Production Board regulations. Double breasted jackets were not allowed and stiff front dress shirts were banned. These restrictions were lifted after the war, but the desire for a simple look remained. The only time men wore tails was for the most formal occasions, such as a charity ball, fancy dinner, evening weddings, and opening night at the opera. These “white tie” events no longer prohibited black tie dress that the younger generation preferred. Instead, the events were a mix of formal and semi formal tuxedos, tails, and business suits.

Men’s traditional 1940s formalwear choices were: white tie (formal), black tie (semi formal), and summer formals (semi formal)

1940s White Tie Formalwear

1940s mens formalwear, white tie, tail coat

1942 Men’s White Tie Formalwear

White tie formalwear is mostly the same today as it was in the 1940s. It included the following:

  • Black tailcoat with satin lapels in a rounded shawl collar shape or with wide pointed peak lapels (see above).
  • White button down or stiff front (or pleated) wingtip dress shirt.
  • Suspenders, typically white.
  • White silk bow tie.
  • White single-breasted dress vest with long square lapels.
  • High waist, pleated tuxedo pants with a satin stripe down the outer leg.
  • Patent leather tuxedo shoes or plain polished leather Oxfords.
  • Black socks in silk or wool.
  • White gloves.
  • White pocket square.
  • Colorful silk flower boutineer.
  • Black silk top hat.
  • (Optional) Dark blue or grey overcoat with satin lapels and dress cane.
1949 morning suits for the groom and groomsmen

1949 morning suits for the groom and groomsmen

Advertiser

A morning suit was formalwear worn by upper class men during the daytime. It was mostly out of style by 1940 with  a few traditional events and weddings still calling for them. They are popular wedding suits today.

1942 Morning suit and tuxedo
1942 Morning suit and tuxedo
1941 Morning Suit
1941 Morning Suit

1940s Black Tie

1942 mens formal wear options

1942 Men’s Formalwear Options

Black tie formalwear was increasingly popular from the 1920s onward. It could be worn wherever formalwear was requested, with a few different looks to choose from:

  • Dinner jacket with wide silk (or satin) peak lapels and a nipped in waist. The drape was long, to mid thigh. Single or double breasted jackets were worn as well as the shawl collar jacket. It could be black or midnight blue with black satin lapels.
  • White stiff front starched shirt with an extra large wingtip collar.
  • Black shawl collar dress vest (backless is OK).
  • Black pleated pants with stain stripe or braid on outer legs, very high waist.
  • Black or dark blue “club” bow tie (not a fat butterfly shape or skinny ribbon).
  • White pocket square (the twin peaks was the best fold).
  • (Optional) Black shirt studs and cuff links.
  • (Optional) White woven knit or silk shawl (muffler) with monogram initials.
  • (Optional) Black homburg hat.

 

Advertiser

1948 and the Bold Look

The bold look of the late 1940s that would later dominate the early 1950s reintroduced men to exaggerated formality (thanks to movie stars who demonstrated the new fad on the silver screen). In formalwear, this meant a return of the wide and boxy double breasted jacket with extra wide peak lapels that were last seen in the 1930s.

Dress shirts went the opposite direction of the formal jacket with new soft silk or cotton broadcloth dress shirts and semi soft pleated tuxedo shirts with fold down collars (AKA normal dress shirt collars). These new shirts were a welcome change from stiff shirts and collars of yesteryear.

Summer Whites Semi-Formal

1940s, Mr. Bogart looking sharp in a white dinner jacket
Mr. Bogart looking sharp in a white dinner jacket
1942 Bogart wears a cream dinner jacket

The informal summer suit that exploded in the 1930s was still worn in the 1940s. Thanks to tropical worsted wools, the jackets were now much lighter to wear.

1942 Men's Summer Semi Formal Attire

1942 Men’s Summer Semi Formal Attire

The fit was wide and loose and included:

  • White, ivory, or tan single or double breasted shawl collar jackets.
  • White button down dress shirt or pleated front shirt (no wingtips).
  • White suspenders.
  • Black or blue dress trousers or satin stripe or braid tuxedo pants.
  • Black or midnight blue cummerbund.
  • Black polished leather dress shoes.
  • Black bow tie (wide or skinny shapes).
  • White silk pocket square (late ’40s could be colored).
  • Black, dark blue, maroon silk flower boutineer.
  • (Optional) Straw hat with white linen band.

Men’s 1940s Formalwear for You

1941s mens tuxedo evening formal wedding attire

Shawl collar tuxedo for a late 40s formal evening

A few years ago, my husband and I had to dress up for a formal ’30s-’40s dinner and dance. I did the research and wanted to get him a peak lapel dinner jacket. I had a hard time finding one, so instead I bought a shawl collar jacket and pants from Jos. A. Bank. We paired it with a formal smooth front dress shirt, black bow tie and a green pocket square to match my dress, which was not period correct.

Men’s formalwear today is limited. Most shops don’t even sell them, only rent.  Jos A. Bank is one exception.  While the cut isn’t exactly ’40s, you can get satin stripe pants (flat front, unfortunately) that fit rather high on the waist, black or white dinner jacket with shawl lapels, plain or pleated dress shirts, bow ties, cuff links… pretty much everything you will need for a *mostly* 1940s inspired formal look.

The hardest items to find are white or black formal vests with a deep cut and wide lapels.

To rent a tuxedo visit The Men’s Warehouse online. 

Do avoid these items:

  • Colorful cummerbunds (yuck, ugly!).
  • 6 button vests. These are too modern. If you can’t find the elusive white formal vest don’t wear one.
  • Skinny fit tuxedos – just say no.
  • Ruffled tuxedo shirt (those are ’70s).
  • Pattern tuxedo coats with black lapels. Again too modern.

Here are some 1940s style formal clothes to buy online

1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire UMISS Mens Double-Breasted 2 Piece Black Velvet Jacket Striped Trousers Suit Tuxedo  AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
UMISS Mens Double-Breasted 2 Piece Black Velvet Jacket Striped Trousers Suit Tuxedo
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Men Tuxedo Jacket Men Double Breasted Coat Men Black Tuxedo Blazer Party Wear Dinner Coat $139.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Etsy
$139.00
Men Tuxedo Jacket Men Double Breasted Coat Men Black Tuxedo Blazer Party Wear Dinner Coat
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Bruno Marc Mens Faux Patent Leather Tuxedo Dress Shoes Classic Lace-up Formal Oxford  AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
Bruno Marc Mens Faux Patent Leather Tuxedo Dress Shoes Classic Lace-up Formal Oxford
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Mens Dress Leather Gloves  AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
Mens Dress Leather Gloves
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Dobell Mens White Tuxedo Dress Shirt Regular Fit Wing Collar Double Cuff Plain Fly Front £26.03 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£26.03
Dobell Mens White Tuxedo Dress Shirt Regular Fit Wing Collar Double Cuff Plain Fly Front
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Brooks Brothers Mens White Cotton Pique Tuxedo Vest $157.50 AT vintagedancer.com
BrooksBrothers
$157.50
Brooks Brothers Mens White Cotton Pique Tuxedo Vest
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Dobell Mens Black 2 Piece Tuxedo Slim Fit Peak Lapel Evening Dinner Suit £99.99 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£99.99
Dobell Mens Black 2 Piece Tuxedo Slim Fit Peak Lapel Evening Dinner Suit
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire GUSLESON Mens Solid Color Double Fold Pre-tied Bow Tie and Pocket Square Cufflink Set with Gift Box £8.95 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£8.95
GUSLESON Mens Solid Color Double Fold Pre-tied Bow Tie and Pocket Square Cufflink Set with Gift Box
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire 1940s dinner suit $429.67 AT vintagedancer.com
Etsy
$429.67
1940s dinner suit
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Veronz Super Soft Luxurious Classic Cashmere Feel Winter Scarf With Gift Box  AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
Veronz Super Soft Luxurious Classic Cashmere Feel Winter Scarf With Gift Box
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Dobell Mens Marcella Bow Tie 100% Cotton Pre-Tied White Tie Evening Wear Accessory £14.99 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£14.99
Dobell Mens Marcella Bow Tie 100% Cotton Pre-Tied White Tie Evening Wear Accessory
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Black Dinner Jacket 1 Poly 1 Button Shawl Collar $139.00 AT vintagedancer.com
MensUSA
$139.00
Black Dinner Jacket 1 Poly 1 Button Shawl Collar
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Mens 2pc 100% Wool Tuxedo - Satin Peak Lapel By Alberto Nardoni Brand Designer $129.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Etsy
$129.00
Mens 2pc 100% Wool Tuxedo - Satin Peak Lapel By Alberto Nardoni Brand Designer
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire iHomor 100% Silk Mens Bowtie Self Tie Bow Tie Bowtie Tuxedo Wedding Solid Color Formal Bow Ties for Man Many Colors  AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
iHomor 100% Silk Mens Bowtie Self Tie Bow Tie Bowtie Tuxedo Wedding Solid Color Formal Bow Ties for Man Many Colors
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Dobell Mens Black Pocket Square Handkerchief Dupion Satin-Feel Fabric £5.99 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£5.99
Dobell Mens Black Pocket Square Handkerchief Dupion Satin-Feel Fabric
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Navy 2 Piece Tuxedo Regular Fit Peak Lapel Double Breasted Black Trousers Dobell Mens £99.99 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£99.99
Navy 2 Piece Tuxedo Regular Fit Peak Lapel Double Breasted Black Trousers Dobell Mens
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Masonic White 100% Cotton Gloves £7.98 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£7.98
Masonic White 100% Cotton Gloves
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Dobell Mens White Marcella Evening Dress Shirt Regular Fit Standard Collar Stud Button Front £39.99 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£39.99
Dobell Mens White Marcella Evening Dress Shirt Regular Fit Standard Collar Stud Button Front
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Dobell Mens White Gloves Formal Evening Wear Accessory-M £9.99 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£9.99
Dobell Mens White Gloves Formal Evening Wear Accessory-M
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Fashion Mens 100% Silk Long Scarf/Cravat Scarives Double Layer  AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
Fashion Mens 100% Silk Long Scarf/Cravat Scarives Double Layer
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Dobell Mens White Tuxedo Dinner Jacket Slim Fit Peak Lapel £49.99 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£49.99
Dobell Mens White Tuxedo Dinner Jacket Slim Fit Peak Lapel
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Skopes Wool Blend Latimer Dinner Suit Trousers in Black in Size 34 to 62 S/R/L £49.99 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£49.99
Skopes Wool Blend Latimer Dinner Suit Trousers in Black in Size 34 to 62 S/R/L
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire GN GIORGIO NAPOLI Mens Tuxedo Suit 1 Button Peak Lapel Jacket Adjustable Pants  AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
GN GIORGIO NAPOLI Mens Tuxedo Suit 1 Button Peak Lapel Jacket Adjustable Pants
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Mens Tuxedo Shoes Patent Leather Traditional Round Toe Lace Up Oxfords AZAR  AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
Mens Tuxedo Shoes Patent Leather Traditional Round Toe Lace Up Oxfords AZAR
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Paul Fredrick Mens Non-Iron Impeccable 12-Pleat Tuxedo Dress Shirt  AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
Paul Fredrick Mens Non-Iron Impeccable 12-Pleat Tuxedo Dress Shirt
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Men Tuxedo Jacket White Slim Fit One Button Christmas Dinner Party Wear Blazer $138.50 AT vintagedancer.com
Etsy
$138.50
Men Tuxedo Jacket White Slim Fit One Button Christmas Dinner Party Wear Blazer
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Pronto Uomo White Pique Backless Formal Vest $42.99 AT vintagedancer.com
TheMensWearhouse
$42.99
Pronto Uomo White Pique Backless Formal Vest
1940s Men’s Formalwear, Tuxedos, Evening Attire Dobell Mens Black Tuxedo Trousers Regular Fit Satin Side Stripe £35.00 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£35.00
Dobell Mens Black Tuxedo Trousers Regular Fit Satin Side Stripe

debbie
We are Debbie and Oscar, your guides to dressing up like decades past. We are here to help you find clothing online and learn about vintage fashions as worn by everyday people, just like you. Need help with your outfit? Ask us anytime.
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