The Fashion of the 1940’s

1. The Fashion of the 1940’s Evening Wear

2. History of the Decade • * 1941 – The United States was forced to enter into World War II by Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor • * 1943 – ‘Vogue’ introduced a ‘Portfolio of Wartime Economics’ starting with your One and Only Dress • * 1945 – WWII ended due to collapse of Germany and Japan • * 1946 – Paris had re-established herself as the fashion center of the world * United States (New York) became temporary center for fashion * “Baby Boom” began due to length of time husbands were away from wives *“ Make Do and Mend”

3. Technological Advances • Necessity was the innovator to many new technological developments • Flying suit developed from experimentations of materials during war (made from sun back rayon developed during the war) • ‘Clothing from Chemicals’ • * Nylon • * Acetate • * Rayon

4. Silhouette – Early 1940’s • *Outline demanded by Wartime Deprivation • *Unadorned • *Plain rectangle of clothing

5. Silhouette – Late 1940’s • Hour-glass • X silhouette returned from 1830 • Swishing petticoat of the late Victorian period returned • Fashions from Empire period copied • Balenciaga •       Beautiful and distinctive silhouettes •       Tunic tops over long straight skirts •       Major influence on fashion of 20th century •       Elegant clothing • Not afraid to create extreme silhouettes • 1947 – New Look

6. The New Look • *Introduced in February 12, 1947 • 1.      Wide hats • 2.      Voluptuously curved torso • 3.      Nipped – in waist (wasp waist) • 4. Small narrow shoulders • 5.      Round padded hips • 6.      Round bust • 7.      Crinoline –swirling skirts dating back to the 19th century • 8.      Long, full skirts • 9.      30 – 40 yards required for f fashion • 10.      Luxury corsets (hipettes) • “Sculpted” into the required shape with a hot iron and use of “Top Secret Substance” – paper – stiff nylon

7. Fabrics • Tulle • Nylon • Satin • Muslin • Velvet • Laces • Crepe • Alligator Skin • Lurex - used to enhance curtain materials and decorative furnishings • Mink • Cotton • Leather • Wool • Sheer Organza • Very fine Silk • Shirred Jersey

8. Shades of Color •      Dark colors •      Neutral Shades •       _*Gray •       _*Brown •      _*Black • Dye in short supply • During war time – encouraged to mix and match colors to make best use of scare materials • *Colors = dull and practical • Jacques Faith introduced a new color pallet

9. Neckline – deep décolletage for evening Waist defined Occasionally extremely tight Wide waistband Fairly high-waisted princess dress Gathers in front Asymmetrical seams Beads Embroidery Details of dress – suitable for occasion Sleeveless for the most part, some had jackets Style of the Night

10.   1947 – 1949 Fashion Emerges • a.      The New Look Silhouette • b.      Basque bodice • c.       Many frills • d.      High or extremely low neckline • e.      Skirts extremely long - 1948 • f.        Full pleated skirt - 1947 • g.      Draping in front shows Egyptian influences - 1949 • h.      Narrow silhouette spring - 1949 • i.        Back fullness - 1949 • j.        Panels of all kinds – 1949 • k. Ballerina Skirt – 1948 • l. American short black dinner dress

11. Accessories • Pearls • Gloves • Colored slippers • Hats

12. 1940’s Evening Wear