1940s Wedding Dresses
The 1940s really falls into two categories, World War II and Post War into the New Look.
The War Time silhouette is still fairly slim due to rationing of fabric. Brocade become very fashionable partly due to the use of furnishing fabrics in dress making and also due to it being made domestically in England therefore was not imported and scarce. The 1940s look is the original Power Dressing, modest yet bold, with shoulder pads echoing the military uniforms of the men. Many girls did not have time or could not get hold of a “proper” wedding dress and wore a smart suit instead. A dash of red lippy and a Victory Roll and you were all set.
Post War austerity continued to affect wedding dresses with crepe and brocade remaining the most usual fabrics and imported lace still very difficult to come by (unless you knew a French diplomat!). It is not until 1947 and the New Look from Dior that things really start to change, skirts got fuller and the emphasis shifted back to bust and waist, heralding the 1950s.
