1940s Skirt History: A-Line Classics to Summer Dirndl Skirts

Skirts have always had a special place in fashion history as both a high and low fashion item. Due to fabric rationing during the war, the 1940s created limited wardrobes for women. The 1940s skirt became not just a casual clothing item, but one that all other wardrobe elements revolved around. They were the foundation item of every look a 1940s woman wore in daily life.

WWII 1940s Skirts

Simple A-Line Skirt of the Early 1940s

1940s skirts were simple styles. War rationing and restrictions in 1941-44 put a ban on the frills and ruffles popular on 1930s skirts. To save on fabric, hemlines rose to just below the knee. Hems could be no more than 2 inches wide. Thin belts may have had to stay in place without belt loops, too, and pockets were not allowed.

: 1940 Striped Skirt and Gored Skirt

: 1940 Blue Casual Cotton Shirt

Fabrics were generally wool and rayon blends for both summer and winter. Colors were drab blues, grey, green, and brown. See 1940s fashion colors and fabrics here.

: 1941 Basic A-line Skirt

: 1941 Four-Gore Corduroy Skirt

Although the width was limited to a 78 inch sweep, skirts generally were made with much less fabric. The silhouette was a boxy A-line. Placed at the natural waist, it hung smooth over the hips with a slight flare at the hem. These skirts were wide enough to move in, but never very full or very tight.

Kick pleats were added to the back of some tighter skirts to make movement easier. While pleats were not banned in the early years, they certainly weren’t popular until the end of the war.

: 1944 Pleated Skirts

: 1944 Fall Outfits, Plaid Skirts

What was popular was plaid. Women wore plaid skirts as a casual alternative to matching suit separates. The plaid prints were large and usually in dark earth tones – brown, tan, green, and grey. Deep red and yellow added some color in the summer.

1942 Plaid Skirts

: 1943 Plaid Skirts

: 1944 Plaid Skirts

Post Wartime 1940s Skirts

After the war ended and restrictions were finally lifted, skirts added back in some of the special design elements. All around pleating was very common. Knife pleats, inverted pleats, and box pleats were the most popular because they kept the skirt flat and smooth over the hips while adding volume at the hem. The overall shape was still A-line, but pleating added a bit more swing to a woman’s step, a sign of post war joy.

Colors brightened up with cheerful yellow, green, aqua, powder blue, and red.

: 1946 Button Front Skirt and Pleated Plaid Skirt

: 1947 Skirts in Spring Colors

: 1946 Wrap Skirt

: 1947 Red Skirt with Belt

Colorful tartans and plaids were especially popular with teens. Since they didn’t need to wear a suit jacket with their skirts, they wore cheerful sweaters, pullover tops, and white blouses.

: 1947 Skirts

: 1947 Spring Wool Skirts

The signature look for all teens in the 1940s was a white blouse, plaid skirt, and saddle shoes.

1940s Teens Wearing White Blouses, Plaid Skirts, and Saddle Shoes

Late 1940s Skirts

After 1947, Dior’s ‘New Look’ started to exaggerate women’s fashion and the ’40s skirt took on even more volume. Petticoats were not required, although slips featured a bit more fullness at the hem. The skirt fullness was achieved with a wider A-line cut and/or bigger box pleats.

Large patch pockets were added to house skirts and big leather belts and ties were worn to make the waist appear smaller and hips fuller. Most colors were still plain (a versatile wardrobe was still necessary) but some stripes, checks, and floral prints started to appear in summer time looks.

: 1949 Wide Waistband Midi Skirts

: 1948 Midi Skirt and Blouse Outfit

: 1948 Pleated Skirt and Teal Blouse

: 1948 Very Full Knife Pleated Skirt

To balance the full skirt, belts were also wide. Leather belts or matching fabric belts featured 5+ inch wide belts, with or without buckles. They were usually worn over the skirt instead of through belt loops on the skirt.

Big Box Pleats and Stripes added Fullness To Skirts – 1947

1949 Classic Skirts Updated with Large Pockets and Waistbands

1940s Peasant Dirndl Skirts

1940s Peasant Skirts in Fun Prints and Spring Colors

Something interesting happened during the war years. The U.S. started to import clothing from Mexico. They were much cheaper and more colorful than anything women could make or buy in the States. The skirts were knee length and A-line, but also featured the ruffles and trim missing from rationed skirts. They also had embroidery and lace edging in an array of bright, cheerful colors.

1940s Peasant Skirts and Blouses

Folk patterns and characters decorated many peasant skirts. They were a breath of fresh summer air during a depressing time in history.

1942 Dirndl Peasant Skirts

After the war, U.S. designers incorporated peasant skirts and blouses into summer fashions. Additional styles were borrowed from other ethnic regions such as South America and tropical Hawaii. The peasant skirt was usually called a Dirndl skirt or Alpine Skirt for its similarities to Austrian folk skirts. Peasant dresses were made of matching skirts and tops too.

1946 Dirndl and Pleated Skirts

Late ’40s peasant skirts, especially those for teens, used less traditional ethnic patterns and instead turned to Americana folk art. The large flowers and giant strawberries pictured below are two examples of these American art styles. It was these bold art prints that led to the cultural love of applique poodle skirts in the 1950s.

1944 Peasant Skirts

Other popular patterns for peasant skirts were gingham checks, wide vertical stripes, fruits, and flowers. Adding small ruffle trim and lace to tiered layers gave them a western flair.

: 1947 peasant skirts

: 1947 tiered peasant skirts, ruffle trim

It was also the dirndl skirt with its gathered waist band that gave way to the fully gathered circle skirt that dominated the next 10 years of fashion.

1940s Peasant Skirt and Blouse Look for Summer

1940s Pencil skirts?

While a lot of credit is given to the 1940s for starting the pencil skirt trend, it’s simply not true. Towards the very end of the 1940s, skirts did get slimmer, especially with suit sets. They can almost be called pencil skirts, but they were more straight cut, not form fitting wiggle skirts. The came down a little longer, too – a few inches below the knee, where they tapered in slightly. This newer style was worn by the rich and famous. It wouldn’t become popular with common until well into the 1950s.

Read about 1950s style skirts here.

: Portrait of Dottie Reid, 1946 – 1948 Jazz Singer Wearing a Pencil Skirt and Coat

: 1946 Yellow Suit with an Almost Pencil Shaped Skirt

1940s Skirts Today

A pleated A line skirt is a classic style perfect for a 1940s look.

One of the first 1940s thrift store costumes looks I made was a simple 1940s skirt and blouse. Pictured above, the blouse is a vintage late 1940s top paired with a 1980s pleated skirt, vintage summer hat, and bead necklace. Nearly any pleated skirt, lightly gathered skirt, or plaid A-line skirt from the thrift store can be a great start to creating a 1940s look.

I am always on the lookout for A-line skirts to add to my collection. When shopping, don’t forget to check out the 2-piece suits. The jackets are usually too modern, but the skirts can be perfect.

For 1940s reproduction skirts or vintage inspired styles, there are some nice options available. Most vintage inspired skirts tend to favor the 1950s circle skirt or pencil skirt. For a genuine ’40s look, it is better to choose a knee length A-line style or dirndl skirt (if you can find one).