Fashion 1940s-1950s

The New Look

On February 12, 1947, Christian Dior launched the first collection of the House Of Dior. The new collection went down in fashion history as the "New Look". The signature shape was characterized by a below-mid-calf length, full-skirt, pointed bust, small waist, and rounded shoulder line.

Women's Daywear of the late 1940′s.

1.The fitted jacket-and-skirt suit, with a peplum to the hip.
2. One and two fabric day dresses with squarish curved necklines.
3. The bust shaped by soft flowing gathers , swags or drapery on the skirt.

Evening wear dress styles of the late 1940′s.

1. Lace and taffeta with asymmetric, bouffant styling were all the rage.
2. Cap sleeved cotton blouses [and rayon too for a while until polyester arrived]
3. Wide-leg pants and matching tap-style shorts for recreation.

Women’s Underwear in the late 1940′s.

By the end of the forties, corsets had been finally replaced by the all in one girdle and the increasingly popular two piece – bra and the girdle.

Nylon Stockings began to adorn womens legs once more, having been used in chiefly for parachutes during the war years.
This time the sale of fully fashioned stockings took off on a global scale.
There wasnt a fashionable woman alive who couldn’t wait to jump into the latest pair.

Women's shoes

Wedge heels were still worn but now with shallower wedges.
Shoes became more delicate,high-heeled court shoes, or shoes finely strapped round the ankles, worn with beige nylons were the rage for a time as part of the ” New Look”.

Plain high heeled black leather or suede court shoes were the main shoe style.

Rouched Chiffon Gloves were popular in the 1940′s and Opera Gloves continuedto be worn right into the 1950′s for evening wear.