The 1940s TIMELINE OF EVENTS 1939 Start of World War II German invasion of Poland and Czechoslovakia 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor U S joins the war 1945 End of World War II Surrender of Germany and Japan Bombing of Hiroshima Death of Franklin D Roosevelt Harry Truman assumes presidency 1949 Communists seize China Russia tested atomic bomb Monarch of England George VI 1936 1952 President of U S Franklin D Roosevelt 1933 1945 Harry S Truman 1945 1953 1947 Pakistan and India gain independence from British Empire Christian Dior s new look L 85 Regulations U S War Production Board restricts kinds and quantities of materials that could be used in apparel manufacturing wool silk leather and nylon Fashion Parisian fashion comes to a halt mainly in exports due to German opulence Parisian designers continue to work for Nazi s and produce luxurious clothing such as Chanel American designers come into the spotlight and reflected the ease and casualness of womenswear Hattie Carnegie Henri Bendel Claire McCardell Adrian WOMEN S FASHION WWII Utility Look trim and narrow silhouette wide squared shoulders natural waistlines slim skirts knee length Sportswear slacks Women were allowed to wear slacks more freely because skirts required more fabric Outerwear utility regulations masculine military styling tubular cigarette silhouette Shoes regulated use of leather 2 inch limit on heel oxford brogue style shoes with heels all purpose use Hats no restrictions for women centered on hairstyle source of individuality allowed them to have a good appearance when their men returned from war wide variety of styles and decorations Materials cotton taffeta velvet rayon regenerated wood fiber Black Market Fashion Some people knew there was a crash coming before the Great Depression occurred in the 1930 s so some families saved their money in overseas banks and commissioned fashion later when rationing was present Hollywood Sweater Girls Lana Turner and other Hollywood star popularized wool sweaters by celebrity endorsement Wool bought from UK before the war allowed substantial use of the material WOMEN S FASHION POSTWAR The New Look 1947 1959 Christian Dior round shoulders full feminine busts hand span waists enormous skirts built in corsets and boning accessories feminine look fertility silhouette Swimwear restrictions during war on rubber side lacing and shirring to compensate for less fabric maillots one piece two piece with modesty skirts MEN S FASHION WWII L 85 Restrictions trouser cuffs and pleats no more patch pockets pockets were sewn into lining back belts on jackets single breasted only vests disappeared English Drape Suit athletic silhouette broad shoulders roomy armholes tapered waist tuck aligned at tip of jacket and breast pocket folds of cloth over chest mostly double breasted narrow hips length extended over hips military influences colors air blue khaki brown beige Zoot Suits criminalized fashion 1943 Zoot Suit Riots worn by Mexican Americans and African Americans allowed freedom of movement to dance emulated their icons of the Harlem Renaissance high waisted balloon pants long unfitted jacket footwear for fighting double soled Swank Suit white rebellion jazz and swingers modeled after Zoot suits Outerwear narrow and short military inspired tailored Hats military inspired colors wide snap brim fedoras popularized by Humphrey Bogart MEN S FASHION POSTWAR Bold Look wide shoulders snug hips longer hemline recycled Drape suit bold accessories pocket swatches cuff links tie pins Ivy League Style tubular jacket without a defined waistline natural shoulders narrow lapels 3 button closure narrow tapered legs without pleats shapeless jacket Continental Look shorter jacket than Ivy League tapered waist natural shoulders close fitting trousers straight front and narrow Grey Flannel Suit long with narrow lapels made of grey flannel exclusively combination of Continental Look and Ivy League style Casual Wear chinos shorts knit sportswear dress shirts took on many colors blue pink white jeans popularized by Elvis Presley cowboy look Dude clothes Outerwear Suburbans car coat that was shorter for ease of sitting big and loose traditional wide fit Underwear boxers scant bikini later became known as briefs by Jockey Hats reduced sizes Tyrolean version of fedora inspired by Prince of Wales and his trip to Austria olive colored with a feather angled crown Porkpies flat brim from the jazz era worn by Zoot Suiters usually paired with a tweed jacket Newsboy Cap revived from 1920s and 1940s Shoes Italian influences oxfords loafers penny loafers white buckskin preferred leather toes were more rounded Accessories bow and neck ties socks handkerchiefs sunglasses CHILDREN S CLOTHING L 85 Regulations no pants boys wore shorts girls wore dresses Dior s New Look replica of parent s clothing poodle skirts and sweater separates for girls Ivy League and Continental Look suits for boys Licensed Logos superhero franchise and products The 1950s TIMELINE OF EVENTS 1950 Start of Korean War Color tube developed 1952 Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne 1953 End of Korean War 1955 Warsaw Pact established Communist bloc Marilyn Monroe in the 7 Year Itch 1957 Soviets launch Sputnik satellite Leonard Bernstein s West Side Story influence on youth culture 1959 Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba Alaska and Hawaii become states History Cold War between Russia and the U S A Materialism Suburban society The baby boom Separate but equal Counterculture groups beats and beatniks teddy boys President of U S Harry S Truman 1943 1953 Dwight D Eisenhower 1953 1961 Monarch of England Queen Elizabeth II 1952 present WOMEN S FASHION POSTWAR Vertical Line Spring 1950 pinched in waist slender silhouette simple and very fitted sheath Alphabet Lines 1954 1956 H line reminiscent of the 1920s dropped below natural waist with a defined line fitted bodice emphasis on breasts tailored Y line pinched in waistline focus on shoulders pelerine and collars used to emphasize shoulders long sheath A line trapeze cut princess cut baby doll triangular shape high waistline full bottom snug bodice Pret a Porter French for ready to wear industry of casual wear dominated by the U S Sportswear also dominated by the U S separates transfer of couture designs into casual wear Shirtwaister shirt that looks like a dress belted waist collared button down Denim trickled into mainstream by Levi s and James Dean Capris pedal pushers bermudas popular pants for women Evening Wear