Forties Fashionables

Lately I've been really into forties fashion, in particular the dresses. Maybe it's the hot weather, but I've really been drawn to these hard working, yet intricately detailed and demure fashions.

The fabric had a delicacy yet was able to stand the test of time. (via Pattern+Source)

An example of the simple yet interesting and colourful fabrics of the 1940s (via Pattern+Source)

To me, forties fashion had to be sturdy and long-lasting because women were so active at the time and there was also a shortage of materials and supplies for clothing. I think these limitations actually helped designers and pattern makers to be more inventive and conscious of style and detailing, which caused the production of some extremely beautiful garments.

Women during World War 2
(via Glamour Daze - which is a great source for vintage clothing and beauty)

Female archers in the 1940s (via Old Dominion University Library)

I've been somewhat Etsy-crazed lately, so I spent some time this morning perusing the vintage section for forties dresses. I favorited quite a few and picked out several which were unique and truly eye-catching:

1. Azure Lattice Dress - Mama Vintage 2. 1940s Pink Pleated Dress - Mae Vintage Inc 3. Floral Print Button Down Summer Dress - Vintage Blue Moon 4. Brick Red Boucle Knit Dress - Coldfish Vintage 5. Cabana Girls 2-Piece Dress - Thrush Vintage 6. 1940s New Look Shirt Dress - Johnny Bombshell 7. Sheer Blue and White Polka Dot Dress - Vintage Salvation

The forties also had great art work that was used in advertising and ephemera, featuring great examples of the fashion of the time. Women's magazines used hand painted art work for their covers and articles:

via Bessie and Maive

via Bessie and Maive

Paper Dolls from the 1940s (via Grandmother's Attic)