I chose to focus more on the styles of the 40's not only because the styles were so feminine and elegant but because it was a hard time for America and the styles of clothes changed reflecting the war time. It was very interesting to talk to my grandparents about what they remember wearing during the 40's and how the war affected the way they dressed or what fabrics were available to them.
After the war people rid themselves of any reminders of the past few hard years. The late 40's completely changed the fashion trends of the previous years in the 40's. Skirts came back to their fullness and longer length. Women became bolder and began wearing pants on some occasions. Cap sleeves and the sweet heart neckline were both very popular as the 40's became the 50's.
A lot of the style of the mid 40's while the war was going on reflected war efforts. Army and Navy imitations became popular in women's wear especially if you had a loved one in the war. Shoulder pads became popular in order to give women the square, military look. Skirts were still full to an extent but silky fabrics and nylon were both used as parachute fabric in the war therefore simpler fabrics were used for clothing.
The early 40's fashion consisted of gathers, pleats, knee length hem lines and defined waist lines. Shirts were almost always tucked in and tailored to accentuate the curves of the womanly figure with full flowing skirts on the bottom. Once the war efforts started up in 1941 restrictions on fabric took a toll on the trend of flowing skirts.
