Fashion Development, A Written Chart

Development of Fashion Through the 1940's

You will benefit greatly by these illustrations.

All information and illustrations are taken from John Peacock's excellent book The Twentieth Century Fashion Sourcebook. My sole criticism of this volume is that it only covers women's fashion. Fortunately, there is an accompanying volume for men's fashion, which I will feature on this site as soon as possible.

Ladies, 1940 - 1944

Silhouette
Square shoulders, short skirts, heavy shoes

Bodice
Fitted, witih drapery, ruching or gathers; padded shoulders

Neckline
High round, sweetheart, small collars

Sleeves
Inset, short or long, puff

Skirt
Knee-length, flared, straight, single pleats

Fabric
Wool, cotton, linen, easy-care synthetics

Trimmings
Limited buttons, contrast color collars and cuffs, patch pockets

Color
Subdued, blue grey, bottle green, donkey brown.

Accessories
Tiny hats, large bags, shoes with high thick heels and some wooden soles

Ladies, 1945 - 1949

Silhouette
As previous period to 1946; then shapely rounded bust, small waist, rounded shoulderline; from 1947: long narrow or full skirts

Bodice
As previous period to 1946; from 1947: fitted small waist, sloping shoulders

Neckline
High round, sweetheart; from 1947: grown-on collars

Sleeves
As previous period to 1946; from 1947: dolman, raglan

Skirt
Knee-length to 1946; from 1947: mid-calf and longer

Fabric
As previous period to 1946; from 1947: silk taffeta, cotton, linen.

Trimmings
As previous period to 1946; from 1947: decorative buttons, piping, inset panels of contrast color or fabric.

Color
As previous period to 1946; from 1947: pale, pretty colors with white accessories.

Accessories
As previous period to 1946; from 1947: small hats, short golves, small bags, costume jewelry, nylon stockings, shoes with high slender heels.

Gentlemen, 1940 - 1949

Jacket
Fitted into waist, single- or double-breasted, wide padded shoulders, wide lapels, piped, patch and flap pockets, breast pockets wool cloths

Waistcoat
Single-breasted, collarless, matching jacket cloth, often not worn

Trousers
Wide, pleated from waist, wide hems with turn-ups, center creases, cloth matching jacket, grey flannel trousers popular

Shirt
Long pointed collars, plain or striped cotton

Color
Subdued, blue brown, grey; grey flannel with white chalk stripe popular

Accessories
Trilbies, homburgs, wide ties, pocket handkerchiefs, lace-up shoes, brogues

LARP Advice Index


	Ladies, 1940 - 1944
	Silhouette	Square shoulders, short skirts, heavy shoes
	Bodice	Fitted, witih drapery, ruching or gathers; padded shoulders
	Neckline	High round, sweetheart, small collars
	Sleeves	Inset, short or long, puff
	Skirt	Knee-length, flared, straight, single pleats
	Fabric	Wool, cotton, linen, easy-care synthetics
	Trimmings	Limited buttons, contrast color collars and cuffs, patch pockets
	Color	Subdued, blue grey, bottle green, donkey brown.
	Accessories	Tiny hats, large bags, shoes with high thick heels and some wooden soles


	Ladies, 1945 - 1949
	Silhouette	As previous period to 1946; then shapely rounded bust, small waist, rounded shoulderline; from 1947: long narrow or full skirts
	Bodice	As previous period to 1946; from 1947: fitted small waist, sloping shoulders
	Neckline	High round, sweetheart; from 1947: grown-on collars
	Sleeves	As previous period to 1946; from 1947: dolman, raglan
	Skirt	Knee-length to 1946; from 1947: mid-calf and longer
	Fabric	As previous period to 1946; from 1947: silk taffeta, cotton, linen.
	Trimmings	As previous period to 1946; from 1947: decorative buttons, piping, inset panels of contrast color or fabric.
	Color	As previous period to 1946; from 1947: pale, pretty colors with white accessories.
	Accessories	As previous period to 1946; from 1947: small hats, short golves, small bags, costume jewelry, nylon stockings, shoes with high slender heels.