1. The Fashion of the 1940’s
Evening Wear

2. History of the Decade
* – The United States was forced to enter into World War II by Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
* – ‘Vogue’ introduced a ‘Portfolio of Wartime Economics’ starting with your One and Only Dress
* – WWII ended due to collapse of Germany and Japan
* – Paris had re-established herself as the fashion center of the world
* United States (New York) became temporary center for fashion
* “Baby Boom” began due to length of time husbands were away from wives
*“ Make Do and Mend”

3. Technological Advances
Necessity was the innovator to many new technological developments
Flying suit developed from experimentations of materials during war (made from sun back rayon developed during the war)
‘Clothing from Chemicals’
* Nylon
* Acetate
* Rayon

4. Silhouette – Early 1940’s *Outline demanded by Wartime Deprivation
*Unadorned
*Plain rectangle of clothing

5. Silhouette – Late 1940’s Hour-glass X silhouette returned from 1830
Swishing petticoat of the late Victorian period returned
Fashions from Empire period copied
Balenciaga
      Beautiful and distinctive silhouettes
      Tunic tops over long straight skirts
      Major influence on fashion of 20th century
      Elegant clothing
Not afraid to create extreme silhouettes
1947 – New Look

6. The New Look *Introduced in February 12, 1947 1. Wide hats
2.      Voluptuously curved torso
3.      Nipped – in waist (wasp waist)
4. Small narrow shoulders
5.      Round padded hips
6.      Round bust
7.      Crinoline –swirling skirts dating back to the 19th century
8.      Long, full skirts
9.      30 – 40 yards required for f fashion
10.      Luxury corsets (hipettes)
“Sculpted” into the required shape with a hot iron and use of “Top Secret Substance” – paper – stiff nylon

7. Fabrics Tulle Nylon Satin Muslin Velvet Laces Crepe Alligator Skin
Lurex - used to enhance curtain materials and decorative furnishings
Mink
Cotton
Leather
Wool
Sheer Organza
Very fine Silk
Shirred Jersey

8. Shades of Color Dark colors Neutral Shades _*Gray _*Brown _*Black
Dye in short supply
During war time – encouraged to mix and match colors to make best use of scare materials
*Colors = dull and practical
Jacques Faith introduced a new color pallet

9. Style of the Night Neckline – deep décolletage for evening
Waist defined
Occasionally extremely tight
Wide waistband
Fairly high-waisted princess dress
Gathers in front
Asymmetrical seams
Beads
Embroidery
Details of dress – suitable for occasion
Sleeveless for the most part, some had jackets

10. 1947 – 1949 Fashion Emerges a. The New Look Silhouette
b.      Basque bodice
c.       Many frills
d.      High or extremely low neckline
e.      Skirts extremely long
f.        Full pleated skirt
g.      Draping in front shows Egyptian influences
h.      Narrow silhouette spring
i.        Back fullness
j.        Panels of all kinds – 1949
k Ballerina Skirt – 1948
l American short black dinner dress

11. Accessories
Pearls
Gloves
Colored slippers
Hats

12. 1940’s Evening Wear