1940s Style Clothing & 40s Fashion

With the second World War (WWII) and clothing rationing, wartime fashion on a budget became the norm. 1940s fashion experienced deep changes, but also created some of the most flattering designs of the 20th century. The classic shirtwaist dress, wide-leg pants, bikini swimsuits, and pin up styles took root in the forties.

Learn 1940s fashion history for women and men here.

Now you too can wear 1940s clothing with vintage-inspired and vintage reproduction clothes from both the USA and UK. We curated many of the best women’s 1940s clothing options online. For 1940s menswear look here.

 1940s Clothing

Dresses | Shoes | Pants | Coats | Tops

AISIZE Womens Pinup Vintage Ruffle Sleeves Cocktail Party Pencil Dress

Dressystar Womens V Neck Sleeveless Lace Bridesmaid Dress Wedding Party Gown

Allegra K Womens Casual Skater High Waist Office A-Line Flared Midi Skirt

Dickies Womens Denim Bib Overall

$160.80

High Waisted 1940s Style Linen & Cotton Shorts

£34.99

Hell Bunny Weston Denim Jeans 40s 50s Vintage Retro Rockabilly Trousers Pants

$148.50

Armada - Womens Fall Boots Lace-up Leather Boots Oxford Boots Green Boots Leather Ankle Boots Custom boots FREE customization!!!

Cocoship Vintage Sailor Pin Up Swimsuit One Piece Skirtini Cover Up Swimdress(FBA)

$223.00

43 Swing Coat in Houndstooth by The Seamstress of Bloomsbury | Classic Authentic Vintage Style Clothing

chouyatou Womens Fall Winter A-Line Swing Pleated Long Maxi Wool Skater Skirt

Tronjori Women High Waist Casual Wide Leg Long Palazzo Pants Trousers

$130.00

Manhattan Dress - Black

Chelsea Crew Demi Womens Oxford Low Heels

Belle Poque Womens High Waisted Wide Leg Pants Button Decorated Casual Stretchy Trousers with Pockets

$72.00

ModCloth Traverse and Chorus Heels in Bone Size 42

IDEALSANXUN Womens High Elastic Waist Maxi Skirt A-line Plaid Winter Warm Flare Long Skirt

$51.56

Greta Blouse in Cream by The Seamstress of Bloomsbury | Authentic Vintage 1940s Style

FrozenHibiscus

£95.00

Phase Eight Women Aleandra Button Detail Dress

ZLYC Women Fine Knit Open Front Faux Fur Trim Layers Poncho Cape Cardigan Sweater

Allegra K Womens Puff Sleeves Shirt Point Collar Top Button Down Floral Blouse

$47.54

 Womens Boots Knee High Lace up Stacked Heels Leather Tall Riding boots Cool New

Velvet Circular Cut Half Cloak Capelet Lined in Satin with Two-Button Clasp

Belle Poque Women Vintage Inspired Tie Neck Blouse Short Sleeve Cropped Top BP877

$190.00

Jumpsuit Annie jumpsuit in vintage

Belle Poque Womens High Waisted Wide Leg Pants Button Decorated Casual Stretchy Trousers with Pockets

$114.46

Florance Dress in Black by The Seamstress of Bloomsbury | Authentic Vintage 1940s Style

$69.58

The Kitty Shirtwaister Dress in Green with Contrast Ric-Rac True Late 40s Early 1950s Vintage Style

Men Women Knitted Cotton V-Neck Vest JK Uniform Pullover Sleeveless Sweater School Cardigan

$79.19

Vintage style jeans 1940s/50s denim trousers swing pants

More 40s Clothing

• Dresses and plus size dresses
• Pin Up Dresses and Sailor Dresses
• Evening Gowns and Wedding Dresses
• Skirts
• Pants and Trousers
• Shorts and Rompers
• Tops and Blouses
• Sweaters
• Coats and Jackets
• Swimwear
• Shoes – more flats, boots, sandals, and wide sizes
• Stockings and Lingerie
• Accessories – gloves, belts, and headscarves
• Hats
• Sunglasses and Eyewear
• Hair Accessories
• Makeup Guide
• Jewelry
• Sewing Patterns
• Costumes – Halloween and Party
• Children’s Clothing
• 1940s Clothing and Shoes in the UK

1940s Women’s Fashion History

• An intro to 1940s fashion history
• 1940s Women’s Fashion – Start here and learn all about 1940s Fashion for Women
• 1940s Fabrics and Colors- Learn what colors and types of fabric were common in the 1940s
• 1940s Dresses – 10 common styles worn in the 1940s
• 1940s Day Dresses – Learn about the different styles of 1940s day dresses
• 1940s Shirtwaist Dresses – Learn about and shop for this popular ’40s dress
• 1940s Suits – Women’s Victory Suits
• 1940s Tops and Blouses –  All styles of 1940s women’s tops and blouses
• 1940s Sweaters & Cardigans – Staying warm with knits
• 1940s Women’s Coats & Jackets
• 1940s Skirts – From simple A-line skirts to fun dirndl skirts
• 1940s Formal Dresses – Learn about formal dresses, prom dresses, and cocktail dresses
• 1940s Women’s Pants – Learn about and shop for 1940s and 1950s style pants & overalls for women
• 1940s Rompers and Shorts – Summer playsuits, shorts and pedal pushers
• 1940s Swimsuits history – Learn all about fabulous swimwear in the 1940s
• 1940s Shoes – Learn about and shop for 1940s style ladies’ shoes
• 1940s Stockings – Seamed stockings and socks history
• 1940s Working Women’s Clothes – Rosies, shop girls and nurses
• 1940s Zoot Girls – History of the urban Zoot Suit style
• 1940s Teenage Girls’ clothing – Trends and styles worn by teens
• 1940s Lingerie History – A look at the types of bras, girdles, and slips
• 1940s Sleepwear – Nightgowns, pajamas, robes, and red jackets
• 1940s Hairstyles for Women – A variety of classic hairstyles through the decade
• 1940s Hairstyles for long hair – Tips on creating a 1940s hairstyle with long hair
• 1940s Hair Snoods – Make or buy a 1940s hair snood and keep your hair in place
• 1940s Hat Styles – A History of over 20 popular hat styles, with pictures. See Hair Accessories too
• 1940s Jewelry Styles – Popular jewelry styles and trends
• 1940s Sunglasses – Women’s sunglasses and eyeglasses
• 1940s Handbags – Purses, day bags and evenings bags
• 1940s Women’s Accessories – Belts, gloves, head scarves
• 1940s Wedding Dresses – History of the bride’s wedding gown
• 1940s Makeup History and Tutorial – Also where you can buy 1940s makeup
• Plus Size 1940s Fashions – History of full figure clothing in the 1940s. Check out our fashion advice for plus sizes as well
• Fashion advice for the petite woman and the tall woman
• Where to shop for repro and vintage inspired 1940s clothing
• 1940s Outfit Ideas – 16 looks you can create
• 1940s Casual Outfit ideas – Casual, sporty looks for summer
• 1940s Fall and Winter Outfits

1940s fashion has been revived today in the form of sexy pinup dresses, flattering A-line tea dresses, swing dresses, high-waisted pants and peep-toe shoes for the ladies. 

1940S MEN’S FASHION HISTORY

• 1940s Men’s Fashion – A detailed overview of all areas of men’s fashion in the 1940s.
• 1940s Men’s Suits – Learn about 1940’s men’s suits and clothing. Tips on creating your own look.
• 1940s Men’s Casual Fashion – Sport coats, shirts, and sweater vests.
• Men’s Outfit Ideas from the 1940s
• 1940s Men’s Formalwear – Dressing in white tie, black tie, summer whites and semi-formal.
• 1940s men’s Workwear & Uniforms – What wore for labor jobs and military positions.
• 1930-1950s Western Wear for Women and Men – Men’s western-style clothing from the 1930s to 1960s.
• 1940s Men’s Shoes – Learn about and shop for 1940s style shoes. Go here to read about Saddle Shoes.
• 1940s Men’s Swimwear – Swim shorts of the 1940s.
• 1940s Pajamas – Women’s and men’s sleepwear, robes and slippers.
• 1940s Teenage Boys’ Fashion – Boys’ and young men’s styles.
• 1940s Dance Shoes for Men – Shop men’s swing and ballroom dance shoes with 1940s style.
• 1940s Hats – Learn about 1940s men’s hat styles.
• 1940s Men’s underwear – Boxers, briefs, long johns, socks, and undershirts.
• 1940s Men’s Accessories – Belt, suspenders, cufflinks, glasses, watches, cane, pocket square, gloves, and scarves.
• 1940s Men’s hairstyles and facial hair – Common styles, trends, and grooming products.
• 1940s Groom Clothing – 1940s wedding attire for grooms.
• 1940s Men’s Costume Ideas – Classic 1940s look you can re-create.
• Where to shop for men’s vintage inspired and reproduction clothing. Go here for specifically 1940s men’s repro clothing.

You can read more detailed articles about 1940s fashion history here. Need help with your outfit? Ask us anytime!