“Correct posture with the correct foundation garment combine to give a woman an attractive figure and will aid her in her quest for health and vitality.” Foundations for Fashion, 1948 When people think of women’s 1940s lingerie, what usually comes to mind are the glamorous, curvy, satin and lace pin-up girls whose pictures filled the … Read More about 1940s Lingerie & Undergarments- Bra, Girdle, Slips, Underwear History

So far we have looked at  1940s fashion advice for plus sizes and tall figures. Now onto my area of expertise – SHORT women!  In the 1940s, short women, called petite or little misses, could wear almost any of the regular size fashions with just a little chop of the hem. In theory this works well, … Read More about 1940s Fashion Advice for Short Women

Last week we looked at fashion advice for plus size women in the 1940s. Fortunately for fuller figures, petite ladies, young misses, and mature women, fashions were developed to meet their specific challenges. For tall women, there was no specialty collection. If she was lucky, she might be able to buy a dress with an … Read More about 1940s Fashion Advice for Tall Women

While the ideal body type of the 1940s was the curvy hourglass, few women were naturally that shape. Stout, tall, thin, and short women all have their fashion challenges to achieve an ideal 1940s look. By following a set of fashion rules set forth by fashion and beauty experts, any woman could achieve an elegant … Read More about 1940s Plus Size Fashion History and Style Advice

Before the 1940s, women would not leave the house without wearing a pair of silk stockings. In fact, it wasn’t considered appropriate to be bare-legged in public whatsoever unless you were at the beach. WWII shortages combined with the invention of new materials changed the way women purchased 1940s stockings. Stockings, came up to mid-thigh … Read More about 1940s Stockings: Hosiery, Nylons, and Socks History

1950s coats were beautifully constructed and varied slightly in styles, fabrics, and design. Most coats were long, some coming all the way to the ankle, but others went just below the knee or sat right around the hip. Typical fabrics included camel hair, wool velour, wool fleece, tweed, and fur or cashmere if you could … Read More about 1950s Coats and Jackets History

Vintage plus size fashions in the past have not always been gracious to the fuller figure, but the forties and the fifties brought on a silhouette that was both flattering and attractive for the wearer. From juniors to misses, women’s and stout (as plus size clothing was called) clothing was available to fit and flatter … Read More about 1950s Plus Size Fashion & Clothing History

1950s formal dresses, evening gowns, cocktail party dresses and prom dresses were much like the popular dress styles of the 1950s. They accentuated waists with the-bigger-the-better length or tea length skirts, as that was all women wanted to wear. French designer Christian Dior’s “New Look” molded much of what we know today as 1950s fashion. … Read More about 1950s History of Prom, Party, Evening and Formal Dresses

What did women wear in the 1950s? Attending Hot August Nights, the largest classic car show in the west, has inspired me to take a look at 1950s fashion for women. My husband and I usually dress up in vintage or repro ’50s clothes before going out to see all the cars. Sadly, not very … Read More about What Did Women Wear in the 1950s? 1950s Fashion Guide

“Play clothes” sound like something little kids would wear so they won’t get dirty, but teens and grown women during the 1940s wore what were actually called playsuits. Vintage playsuits (also called Rompers today) were worn outdoors – either at the beach, in the backyard to catch some sun, or for sportswear. “Playclothes, though strictly … Read More about 40s-50s Vintage Playsuits, Jumpsuits, Rompers History

1940s fashion history is fascinating. The clothes women wore were not designed by the fashionable and wealthy, but by patriotism and practicality needed during times of war. Menswear and military uniforms changed how women’s clothes looked, moved, and were made just as Hollywood had done in the 1930s.  The results were timeless dresses, pants for … Read More about How to Wear 1940s Women’s Fashion