1940's fancy dress by Fancy Dress 4 Sale

History of 1940's fancy dress

During the war years, everyone was encouraged to 'make do and mend'. Frivolity was looked down upon and uniforms were seen in all areas. This continued well after the war had ceased in 1945.

Ladies wore boxy jackets or tops with a nipped in waist and a skirt. Trousers begun to be worn for convenience.

UK Rationing started in June 1941 and was very strict. Ladies had to use whatever they could lay their hands on, including parachute silk. Items of fabric went through many a transformation so that nothing went to waste. Knitting was very popular with old socks were unravelled and re-knitted into waistcoats or cardigans.

Nylons were very rare and it was not unknown for a lady to befriend an American GI in the hope of getting a new pair of nylons. However, most women took to staining their legs with make up or gravy. A friend would draw a straight line down the back of their calf to give the impression that they were wearing nylons.

Face make up was in short supply. Munitions workers were encouraged to wear make up as a protective barrier to the grit and chemicals they worked amidst.

Hair, by day was kept clean under a turban or headscarf. Glamorous styles with curls were preferred to the short styles of the twenties.

1940s Fancy Dress suggestion
Bette Davis
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Lauren Bacall
Ingrid Bergman
Vera Lynn
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ATS
1940s Nurse
Tea Dresses

Uniforms were seen in all areas.

The following is taken from the official rationing notice:

Rationing

Of Clothing, Cloth and Footwear

From June, 1941

Rationing has been introduced not to deprive you of your real needs, but to make more certain that you get your share of the country's goods - to get fair shares with everybody else.

When the shops re-open you will be able to buy cloth, clothes, footwear and knitting wool only if you bring your food ration book with you. The shopkeeper will detach the required number of coupons from the unused margarine page. Each margarine coupon counts as one coupon towards the purchase of clothing and footwear. You will have a total of 66 coupons to last you a year; so go sparingly. You can buy where you like and when you like without registering.

Eventually the coupons were reduced to 36 per person in 1945.

Some items such as boiler suits, workmen's bib, brace and overalls, hats and caps were not rationed. Coupons were not required for 2nd hand clothing and a huge industry for used clothing developed.

The government encouraged manufacturers to produce a utility range of clothing. The style of garments produced were also subject to 'austerity' regulations, which restricted how much cloth was used. For example, pockets were restricted, a maximum length for men's shirts was introduced and a ban on turn ups for men's trousers caused much heated debate

The public was surprised to discover that the utilitarian clothing varied in style & colour and was generally hard wearing and good quality.
Uniforms were used for going to special events.

1940s Fancy Dress suggestion
Mickey Rooney
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Army Uniforms
RAF Uniforms
German Officer Uniforms.

fancy dress sample 1940's fancy dress