1940s hats had both a continuation of the popular styles of the 1930s and new additions to the casual headwear…
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Learn all about 1940s fashion history and how to dress in 1940s style clothing. Our articles are here to help you create an authentic or vintage inspired 1940s outfit for both women and men.
The '40s decade started out during WW2 where clothing had to economical but not without fashion. The pin up girl kept men entertained overseas while Rosie the Riveter was an inspiration for women on the home front. Whether dressing up for a 1940s themed event, finding a costume for a play, or doing research for a book these articles should help you create the forties fashion look. If not contact us for help.
1940s Fashion History
1940s Women's Fashion History
An intro to 1940s fashion history
- 1940s Womens 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
- What women and men spent on clothing, the typical wardrobe
- 1940s Dresses- 10 common styles worn in the 1940s
- 1940s House Dresses- What style of dresses women wore at home
- 1940s Day Dresses- Learn about the different styles of 1940s day dresses.
- 1940s Shirtwaist Dresses- Learn and shop for this popular '40s dress.
- 1940s Suits- Women's Victory Suits
- 1940s Tops and Blouses - All the 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 dress, and cocktail dresses
- 1940s Women's Pants - Learn 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 Fashion Advice for Plus Sizes, Tall Women and Short/Petite Women.
- 1940s Lingerie History- A look at the types of bras, girdles, and slips
- 1940s Sleepwear- Nightgowns, pajamas, robes, red jackets
- 1940s Hairstyles for Women- Variety of classic hairstyles through the decade
- 1940s Hairstyles for long hair- Tips on creating a 1940s hairstyle for long hair.
- 1940s Hair Snoods- Make or buy a 1940s hair snood and keep your hair in place.
- 1940s Hat Styles - Over 20 popular hat history with pictures. 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 scarf
- 1940s Wedding Dresses - History of the bride's wedding gown
- 1940s Makeup History and Tutorial - Plus buy 1940s makeup
- Plus Size 1940s Fashions - History of full figure clothing in the 1940s. Fashion advice for plus sizes.
- Vintage Workout Clothes | Retro Gym Clothes
- 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 and How to Keep Warm
- 1940s Black Fashion, African American Clothing Photos
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- Sportcoats, shirts, sweater vests
- Men's Outfit Ideas from the 1940s and 1950s
- 1940s Men's Shirts- Dress shirts and casual shirts, T-shirt styles
- 1940s Men's Formalwear - Dressing in white tie, black tie, summer whites and semi- formal
- 1940s Men's Workwear & Uniforms- What wore to 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. See more about Saddle Shoes.
- 1940s Men's Swimwear- Swim shorts of the 1940s
- Men's Vintage Gym Clothes | Sweatshirts, Shorts, Tops, Shoes Styles
- 1940s Pajamas - Men's sleepwear, robes and slippers
- 1940s Teenage Boys Fashion- Boys and young men 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, undershirts
- 1940s Men's Accessories- Belt, suspenders, cufflinks, glasses, watches, cane, pocket square, gloves, scarves
- 1940s Men's hairstyles and facial hair - Common styles, trends, grooming products
- 1940s Groom Clothing- A 1940s wedding attire for grooms
- 1940s Men's Costume Ideas- Classic 1940s look you can re-create
- Where to shop for men's vintage and repro clothing and specifically 1940s men's repro clothing
Authentic 1940s Makeup History and Tutorial
1940s makeup is one of the most “vintage” looks, and is rather simple to recreate. There was a push for…
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1940s Ladies’ Workwear Clothes- Rosies to Nurses
The 1940s weren’t all play. A lot of the men in the U.S. were drafted for the war. While they…
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1940s Fabrics and Colors in Fashion
The 1940s was unique in that it brought a diverse selection of women’s fabrics and patterns to the mainstream. Because…
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1940s Lingerie & Undergarments- Bra, Girdle, Slips, Underwear History
“Correct posture with the correct foundation garment combine to give a woman an attractive figure and will aid her in…
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1940s Fashion Advice for Short Women
So far we have looked at 1940s fashion advice for plus sizes and tall figures. Now onto my area of expertise…
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1940s Fashion Advice for Tall Women
Last week we looked at fashion advice for plus size women in the 1940s. Fortunately for fuller figures, petite ladies,…
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1940s Plus Size Fashion History and Style Advice
While the ideal body type of the 1940s was the curvy hourglass, few women were naturally that shape. Stout, tall,…
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1940s Stockings: Hosiery, Nylons, and Socks History
Before the 1940s, women would not leave the house without wearing a pair of silk stockings. In fact, it wasn’t…
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Vintage Hiking and Camping Clothes – 1920s to1950s
Now that I have a vintage camping trailer, I thought it would be fun to wear some vintage camping clothes….
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40s-50s Vintage Playsuits, Jumpsuits, Rompers History
“Play clothes” sound like something little kids would wear so they won’t get dirty, but teens and grown women during…
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How to Wear 1940s Women’s Fashion
1940s fashion history is fascinating. The clothes women wore were not designed by the fashionable and wealthy, but by patriotism…
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50 Men’s Vintage Reproduction Clothing Brands & Shops
While the choices of vintage and retro style clothing for women are many, there are far fewer options for men….
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Vintage Maternity Clothes History 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
Having children is wonderful. Being pregnant, not so wonderful. Trying to dress vintage while being pregnant or nursing… challenging. Vintage…
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1940s Men’s Shoes: Men’s Vintage Shoe History
From the 1920s to the 1950s, men’s shoes had an overall similar style and color palette. Lace up dress shoes were…
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Vintage Sandal History: Retro 1920s to 1970s Sandals
Summer is approaching fast — and for me, that means a trip to the shoe store is in order. I…
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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…
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1940s Pants History- Trousers, Overalls, Jeans, Sailor, Siren Suits
Before the 1940s, women simply did not wear pants / trousers /slacks as a normal part of their daily wardrobe….
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1940s Blouses, Shirts, Knit Tops Styles – Fashion History
Blouse styles have not changed dramatically in the past few decades, but every era has a little something that…
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Vintage Hats from the 1920s-1950s
This week’s photo roundup theme is hats. Lots and lots of vintage hats, spanning the 1920s to the 1950s! Enjoy….
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