Wartime rationing affected many fashion choices during the
1940s – nylon, metal, fabric, and leather were all rationed items. This limited
the types and amount of material that could be used in clothing.
Non- essential features vanished from clothing – cuffs, wide
hems, full skirts and extra pockets were eliminated, leading to clean, straight
cuts and relatively simple styles in women’s clothing. While floral patterned
material was still popular it was hard to get, and single colors, such as dark
green, khaki and navy blue dominated.
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| 1940 |
Women used recycled materials to make more clothing, turning
blankets into coats and curtains into skirts. Knitting was quite popular,
although knit sweaters were banned for those working in factories – there was
too much danger that these could get caught in the machinery.
Nylon and silk were strictly rationed, which made stockings
a much sought after item. Many women used leg makeup and even drew seams down
the back of their legs with eyebrow pencils to create the illusion that they
were wearing stockings.
Shoes were often made of canvas, with cork or even wood for
the soles. Rationing rules strictly
limited the height of shoe heels to no more than one inch. Women embellished
their shoes with household items, such as cellophane or pipe cleaners.
Hair was worn shoulder length, curled and rolled. For big
nights out elegant up-dos were popular.
During the day scarves and bandanas were often used to keep hair under
cover. This was a safety measure for those working in factories, but also to
hide the rollers or bobby pins which were holding the hair in tight pin curls,
to be rolled out later.
The first two piece bathing suit debuted in the 1940s, and
was named the Bikini after the Bikini Atoll, where American nuclear testing was
taking place.
The end of the war meant the end of fabric rationing and
designer Christian Dior brought out the “New Look” in 1947, featuring full
skirts and ultra-feminine frills. This look was frowned upon by the US
government for wasting so much fabric!
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