In this week’s fashion history session, we will be taking a look at the fashion of the 1940s. During the previous week’s edition, we talked about the fashion of the 1920s and that of the 1930s, and the fashion development that came with each period.
Credits: Fashion history session
The 1920s witnessed a decrease in the length of skirts while the 1930s is characterized by the wearing of blouses with skirts, clash hats, swimwear advertising, and so on.
Read also: Fashion History Sessions: The Fashion of the 1920s
Although another war occurred during the later years of the 1930s, fashion kept growing. For this week’s history session, we will continue with the fashion of the 1940s.
The first half of the 1940s had men and women in military uniform and utility clothes so there isn’t much fashion history to attribute towards this period. However things changed in the latter half of the 1940s after Christian Dior launched its New Look in Paris. After this, women’s fashion was returned to the feminine silhouette, and later everyone returned to sporty and casual outfits.
Read also: Fashion History Sessions: The Fashion of the 1930s
During this period, fashion all around the world was different. The lack of french designers coming out of Paris after the country was occupied by German forces helped the American fashion designers to grow.
Norman Norell and Claire McCardell are two of the American fashion designers that became popular during this era. McCardell’s easy to wear, fun, comfortable clothing continued to be successful towards the 1950s. In February 1947, Christian Dior launched its post-war style, dubbed “The New Look” by fashion editor Carmel Snow. While it was referred to as “new,” the designs evolved from pre-war styles. 
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