One of the fascinating aspects of working as a background actor is the chance to perform a variety of characters right on set. You may play football one day and then be a 1940s gangster. Having a range of costume choices can help you to be ready for whatever Casting Directors call for in their job advertising.
Although historical situations usually call for certain clothing, you never know when the correct costume will land you cast. This 1940s fashion guide will enable you to assemble the ideal "40s look for set".
1940s Fashion: A Summary
World War II shaped style throughout the 1940s. As fashion businesses closed throughout Europe, American designers began to surge at the start of the decade. Then, because much of the populace was engaged in the war effort, pragmatism took front stage. Regulation L-85, established by the American War Protection Board in 1942, limited the supplies and techniques manufacturers may employ to produce clothes, therefore controlling resources required for the war.
Many of the Paris fashion companies reopened and carried a flood of fresh designs once the war ended. Christian Dior's "New Look" line, which revived elegance for women's fashion, was among the most powerful of the day. If you're compiling material, be advised that 1940s style was somewhat different throughout the war and post-war years.
Early Fortys Fashion
American designers like Adrian, Claire McCardell, and Pauline Trigère were creating fresh trends in early part of the decade. Many of the designers of this era favored a simpler, less regimented look than that which was standard in French style. For women, this meant a single-pleated A-line skirt, a wedge shape with broad shoulders, and a small waist—often with peplum. Regulation L-85 restricted the fabric available for apparel manufacture, hence hemlines grew to about knee length.
Popular 1940s women's clothing featured square-shouldered jackets with basic blouses and a matching skirt, shirtwaist dresses with long or short sleeves, and Kitty Foyle dresses—dark gowns with white or bright collars and cuffs. Thanks to stars like Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich, pants became a mainstay in women's fashion, typically worn with a matching coat and shirt. Women would either go without stockings or create the illusion of them by painting a line on their calves and matching tan make-up on their legs, thereby simulating a seam, as silk and nylon rationed and later outlawed in garments. Typical accessories were fur coats, gloves, halo caps, pillbox hats with veils, and clutch clutches.
Many men donned military uniforms even in the early years of the decade, but those who did not had to cope with the same wardrobe limitations women had. Many men opted to help the war effort by wearing their vintage 1930s style suits, therefore saving materials. Early 1940s suits lacked a vest and looked more fitting. Many guys bought longer pants and cuffed them at home since pants were skinnier and produced without cuffs. Ties were fashioned of conservatively colored wool or rayon and set in Windsor knots.
Clothing From The Middle Of The 1940s
Women started to play more of a role in the war effort and workforce as America got increasingly engaged in WWII. The estimated 350,000 women in the military services typically wore their uniforms outside of the house, same as males. Common workwear for women working in factories and on the production line included slacks, denim, overalls, and work boots.
Mid '40s fashion softened its shape to rounded shoulders, collars, and hemlines with tight belted waist to help to further preserve resources. Women started mixing their tops with different slacks and skirts instead of matching outfits. Popular substitutes for heels, ballet shoes were worn with anything from jeans to skirts to dresses and came in many colors and designs.
Military style permeated men's regular clothing. Those off active duty often wore bomber jackets, trench coats, pea coats, knit undershirts, chinos, and aviator glasses. Tight clothing regulations were difficult to police due to L-85 and the financial toll the war inflicted on most families, which resulted in an increase in more laid-back fashion. Hawaiian shirts, vests, and pullovers were becoming more and more fashionable even if the suit remained men's most often worn 1940s garment. These were matched in solid blues, tans, and greens with narrow-waisted wide leg pants fashioned from lighter wool and cotton combinations.
Any ensemble needed a hat to match. The most often used was the gray, black, dark brown, tan wool felt fedora. Though they would lose appeal by the end of the decade, homburgs—mostly in gray and blue tones—were also somewhat widespread.
Read Also: Casual 1940s Women's Fashion
Late '40s Looks
Women's clothes returned to the more typically feminine appearance of the pre-war era once the war ended. Pants remained in style, but dresses started to take the stage once again. Though many of Paris fashion firms had a more natural or asymmetrical form than the gentle curves of the mid 1940s, others reopened and brought in a variety of fresh ideas. Hemlines changed during the day from just below the knee to mid-calf; evening gowns can run anywhere from ankle to knee length.
Once materials were free, designers resorted back to higher luxury textiles and needlework. Late '40s clothing brought back lace, passementerie, silk tassels, fringe, and beading accents. Sweaters and blouses matched short fitting coats or shoulder capes. Wrist length gloves and fedora, pillbox, or bicorne caps were two must-have accessories finishing every costume.
Men's fashion underwent a radical transformation in the late 1940s as tastes veered away from the military uniform. Suit coats started to loosen with noticeable shoulders and saw the double breast comeback. High waist, ironed front creases, and straight legs helped cuffed pants appeal once again. Mix and matching suit jackets, sportscoats, and pants was becoming to be more fashionable than matching sets, much as women's fashion in the mid-40s. Though they returned as part of the outfit, vests were not the mainstay they used in the pre-war years.
1940s Basic Fashion Ideas
Though fashion changes with every decade, there are certain fundamental ideas that bind any kind of appearance together. Though hemlines grew and necklines deepened in the "40s were still a very conservative period in American fashion." To hide under their clothes, women frequently wore naked stockings and undergarments with minimal cover. Easy go-to accessories to finish many women's ensembles were also red lipstick and nail paint.
Men's basic 1940s wardrobe consisted in black socks, black or brown wingtip, loafer, or oxford shoes, crew neck white undershirts, and full coverage briefs. Though little, these accents assist to tie the whole outfit together. If you want to dress in the "40s, pay close attention to all the minor details that complete the ensemble.
Kari Pettersen
One of the fascinating aspects of working as a background actor is the chance to perform a variety of characters right on set. You may play football one day and then be a 1940s gangster. Having a range of costume choices can help you to be ready for whatever Casting Directors call for in their job advertising.
Although historical situations usually call for certain clothing, you never know when the correct costume will land you cast. This 1940s fashion guide will enable you to assemble the ideal "40s look for set".
1940s Fashion: A Summary
World War II shaped style throughout the 1940s. As fashion businesses closed throughout Europe, American designers began to surge at the start of the decade. Then, because much of the populace was engaged in the war effort, pragmatism took front stage. Regulation L-85, established by the American War Protection Board in 1942, limited the supplies and techniques manufacturers may employ to produce clothes, therefore controlling resources required for the war.
Many of the Paris fashion companies reopened and carried a flood of fresh designs once the war ended. Christian Dior's "New Look" line, which revived elegance for women's fashion, was among the most powerful of the day. If you're compiling material, be advised that 1940s style was somewhat different throughout the war and post-war years.
Early Fortys Fashion
American designers like Adrian, Claire McCardell, and Pauline Trigère were creating fresh trends in early part of the decade. Many of the designers of this era favored a simpler, less regimented look than that which was standard in French style. For women, this meant a single-pleated A-line skirt, a wedge shape with broad shoulders, and a small waist—often with peplum. Regulation L-85 restricted the fabric available for apparel manufacture, hence hemlines grew to about knee length.
Popular 1940s women's clothing featured square-shouldered jackets with basic blouses and a matching skirt, shirtwaist dresses with long or short sleeves, and Kitty Foyle dresses—dark gowns with white or bright collars and cuffs. Thanks to stars like Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich, pants became a mainstay in women's fashion, typically worn with a matching coat and shirt. Women would either go without stockings or create the illusion of them by painting a line on their calves and matching tan make-up on their legs, thereby simulating a seam, as silk and nylon rationed and later outlawed in garments. Typical accessories were fur coats, gloves, halo caps, pillbox hats with veils, and clutch clutches.
Many men donned military uniforms even in the early years of the decade, but those who did not had to cope with the same wardrobe limitations women had. Many men opted to help the war effort by wearing their vintage 1930s style suits, therefore saving materials. Early 1940s suits lacked a vest and looked more fitting. Many guys bought longer pants and cuffed them at home since pants were skinnier and produced without cuffs. Ties were fashioned of conservatively colored wool or rayon and set in Windsor knots.
Clothing From The Middle Of The 1940s
Women started to play more of a role in the war effort and workforce as America got increasingly engaged in WWII. The estimated 350,000 women in the military services typically wore their uniforms outside of the house, same as males. Common workwear for women working in factories and on the production line included slacks, denim, overalls, and work boots.
Mid '40s fashion softened its shape to rounded shoulders, collars, and hemlines with tight belted waist to help to further preserve resources. Women started mixing their tops with different slacks and skirts instead of matching outfits. Popular substitutes for heels, ballet shoes were worn with anything from jeans to skirts to dresses and came in many colors and designs.
Military style permeated men's regular clothing. Those off active duty often wore bomber jackets, trench coats, pea coats, knit undershirts, chinos, and aviator glasses. Tight clothing regulations were difficult to police due to L-85 and the financial toll the war inflicted on most families, which resulted in an increase in more laid-back fashion. Hawaiian shirts, vests, and pullovers were becoming more and more fashionable even if the suit remained men's most often worn 1940s garment. These were matched in solid blues, tans, and greens with narrow-waisted wide leg pants fashioned from lighter wool and cotton combinations.
Any ensemble needed a hat to match. The most often used was the gray, black, dark brown, tan wool felt fedora. Though they would lose appeal by the end of the decade, homburgs—mostly in gray and blue tones—were also somewhat widespread.
Read Also: Casual 1940s Women's Fashion
Late '40s Looks
Women's clothes returned to the more typically feminine appearance of the pre-war era once the war ended. Pants remained in style, but dresses started to take the stage once again. Though many of Paris fashion firms had a more natural or asymmetrical form than the gentle curves of the mid 1940s, others reopened and brought in a variety of fresh ideas. Hemlines changed during the day from just below the knee to mid-calf; evening gowns can run anywhere from ankle to knee length.
Once materials were free, designers resorted back to higher luxury textiles and needlework. Late '40s clothing brought back lace, passementerie, silk tassels, fringe, and beading accents. Sweaters and blouses matched short fitting coats or shoulder capes. Wrist length gloves and fedora, pillbox, or bicorne caps were two must-have accessories finishing every costume.
Men's fashion underwent a radical transformation in the late 1940s as tastes veered away from the military uniform. Suit coats started to loosen with noticeable shoulders and saw the double breast comeback. High waist, ironed front creases, and straight legs helped cuffed pants appeal once again. Mix and matching suit jackets, sportscoats, and pants was becoming to be more fashionable than matching sets, much as women's fashion in the mid-40s. Though they returned as part of the outfit, vests were not the mainstay they used in the pre-war years.
1940s Basic Fashion Ideas
Though fashion changes with every decade, there are certain fundamental ideas that bind any kind of appearance together. Though hemlines grew and necklines deepened in the "40s were still a very conservative period in American fashion." To hide under their clothes, women frequently wore naked stockings and undergarments with minimal cover. Easy go-to accessories to finish many women's ensembles were also red lipstick and nail paint.
Men's basic 1940s wardrobe consisted in black socks, black or brown wingtip, loafer, or oxford shoes, crew neck white undershirts, and full coverage briefs. Though little, these accents assist to tie the whole outfit together. If you want to dress in the "40s, pay close attention to all the minor details that complete the ensemble.