War Time Fashion

    Due to World War II, the fashion style during the 1940s greatly differs from those common Paris haute couture style before this time.

    The new style of clothing that rose during this period of time was called war time fashion. In 1940, German took control of Paris and its haute couture. New York designers were unable to reach Paris for its yearly fashion shows when the United States entered the war in 1941. In 1942, the government took away all the stockings of natural fabrics such as nylon for the war. The manufacturers were forced to use other types of fabrics to make clothes. Later that year, the War Production Board began to make restrictions in the yardage used in clothing. The designers had no choice but to make skirts, jackets and other clothings in shorter length. The style at this time period was conservative and made by putting small pieces of clothings together to “create the illusion of more outfits than one actually had”.

    In 1944, the German’s control over Paris ended. The war time fashion in the United States ended in the late 1940s and fancy, natural fabrics returned into the industry with longer length dresses.