At first, women simply wore men’s pants. However, it didn’t take long for pants specifically made for women to become common. Before long, women were wearing pants as a part of their daily wardrobe rather than just in factories. Pants in the 1940s featured high waistlines and wide-legs.
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What did Ladies Wear in the 1940s?
Women’s clothes of the 1940s were typically modeled after the utility clothes produced during war rationing. Squared shoulders, narrow hips, and skirts that ended just below the knee were the height of fashion. Tailored suits were also quite popular.
What kind of pants did they wear in the 40s?
Double-pleated trousers were in style. The flat front trouser was still around, but not as popular anymore. Double pleated trousers were in style during the 1940s.
Did they wear jeans in the 1940s?
Women’s 1940s Blue Jeans
Blue jeans, called dungarees, were a necessary clothing item for laborious tasks. WWII made blue jeans more popular as working Rosies took to factories and Land Girls worked farms. Men’s blue jeans had a loose fit, long crotch, and a wide rolled cuff.
How should I dress in the 1940s style?
Key Styles to Recreate a 1940s Look
- A-Line Skirts teamed with modest, button up blouses,
- Nude Seamed Stockings,
- Red Lipstick,
- Pin curls and Victory Roll Hairstyles,
- Wide Pants worn on the waist,
- Floral Print Dresses and Blouses (Shop here in the UK),
- Women’s Suits,
- Patterned Sweaters,
Why did Katharine Hepburn always wear pants?
Katharine Hepburn, pioneer of stage and screen, spent a lifetime busting through conventions. My favorite one of all: pants. During an era in which wearing trousers in public was considered acceptable for men only, Katharine Hepburn insisted on wearing trousers on and off set.
What did clothes look like in the 40s?
Clothes definitely had a military, utilitarian feel, due in no small parts to rationing. Skirt suits were popular, with squared shoulders, narrow waist and tailored skirts that ended just below the knee. Everything was more casual and less fussy (think no embroidery or patterns) due to the times.
What type of clothes did people wear in the 1940s?
The 1940s were defined by a clean and slim silhouette with a somewhat military feel. Jackets, blouses, sweaters, and skirts were short and close-fitting, all unadorned and with the requisite sharp shoulder pads. Long sleeves were out, dresses were casual, and pants and ‘playsuits’ became everyday attire.
What should I wear to the 1940s weekend?
The 1940s day suit is a little harder to create, so keep it simple and find a frock ! A calf length or knee length will do, preferably pleated, and buttoned up at the front, with a fitted waist. If you can’t find a dress with a fitted waist, then a nice belt with a bow tie, can cinch your waist quite perfectly.
When did Katherine Hepburn start wearing pants?
Enter Katharine Hepburn. In 1933 Movie Classic magazine ran the feature “Will It Be Trousers For Women?,” and Hepburn was listed along with Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Mozelle Britton, and Fay Wray as “among the stars who have lined up on the side of trousers for women.”
What kind of pants did Katherine Hepburn wear?
She favored menswear-inspired, collared shirts, blazers, loafers, simple makeup and of course trousers. In a 1981 interview, Hepburn told Barbara Walters, “I put on pants 50 years ago and declared a sort of middle road.” She reportedly owned over 30 custom-made tan slacks.
How do I dress like Katherine Hepburn?
Sporty and casual, she played tennis every morning and preferred to spend her days in menswear-inspired outfits like collared shirts and blazers instead of the tailored dresses popular at the time. Today, she is commonly referenced as a pioneer of the American sportswear aesthetic.
How do you style wide leg wool pants?
Marry a grey cropped sweater with wool wide leg pants to show off your styling smarts. With shoes, you can take a classier route with a pair of black and white leather platform loafers. For a casually glam look, wear a grey wool tunic with wool wide leg pants — these pieces work really nice together.
How do you dress like Audrey Hepburn modern?
Some of our favorite Hepburn staples include slim black pants, ballet flats, and oversize button-downs.
Keep scrolling to start crafting your own Hepburn-approved look.
- Striped Shirt.
- Midi Skirt + Strappy Sandals.
- Plaid Shirt.
- Loafers.
- Trench Coat.
- Button-Down Shirt.
- Cropped Trousers + Ballet Flats.