1940s ~ Elegant and Efficient
Style Overview:
Despite wartime rationing, women in the 1940s maintained a neat, tailored appearance. Dresses featured nipped-in waists, padded shoulders, and knee-length skirts—balancing femininity with practicality.
- Fascinator hats or tilted berets added flair
- Fur stoles or shawls (real or faux) for warmth and elegance
- Wrist-length gloves in cotton, lace, or leather for outings
- Structured handbags and T-bar or peep-toe heels completed the look
- Victory rolls and pinned curls were signature hairstyles
- Makeup was subtle but defined - red lipstick, winged eyeliner, and softly blushed cheeks.
- Land Girls (UK): Women working the land wore functional overalls, scarves tied around their hair, and sturdy boots—practical and iconic
- Rosie the Riveter (US): A symbol of female empowerment, wearing high-waisted trousers, work shirts, and bandanas tied at the crown
1950s ~ Ultra-Feminine and Glamorous
Style Overview:
Post-war fashion celebrated the return of luxury and femininity. Full swing skirts, cinched waists, and elegant dresses ruled the era, thanks in part to Dior’s "New Look".
- Petticoats added volume to skirts
- Pearl necklaces and brooches enhanced ladylike charm
- Wrist-length gloves in cotton, lace, or leather for outings
- Cat-eye sunglasses and clutch bags were must-haves
- Gloves in white or pastels remained fashionable
- Shoes featured pointed toes and kitten heels
- Hair was softly curled, often styled in pageboys, pin curls, or chignons
- Makeup was polished - matte red lips, defined brows and soft eyeshadow
- Rockabilly Girls: A rebel twist on the classic 50s look—polka dots, cherry prints, leather jackets, winged eyeliner, and victory rolls
- Housewives / Home Glam: Aprons, A-line dresses, and pearls were staples of the "perfect" suburban woman, as seen in vintage ads and TV shows
1960s ~ Bold, Playful, and Revolutionary
Style Overview:
The '60s broke fashion norms—shorter hemlines, brighter colors, and edgier silhouettes. From sleek Mod looks to free-spirited Bohemian styles, women began expressing independence through bold fashion choices.
- Mini skirts and shifts were paired with go-go boots
- Bold geometric jewellery and statement earrings replaced dainty pearls
- Headbands, hair bows, and scarves were worn in the hair
- False lashes, pale lips, and cut-crease eyeshadow defined makeup trends
- Box bags and PVC accessories added futuristic flair
- Mods: Sharp, chic girls in monochrome or color-blocked mini dresses, opaque tights, and geometric prints. Hair was sleek—think pixie cuts and heavy fringe
- Hippie / Boho Girls: Maxi dresses, fringe vests, tie-dye, bare feet or sandals, natural makeup, and flower crowns—embracing peace, love, and nature
- Space Age Fashionistas: Inspired by designers like André Courrèges and Pierre Cardin—PVC fabrics, metallics, and sci-fi silhouettes
1940s ~ Menswear & Subcultures
Style Overview:
Men’s fashion in the 1940s was heavily influenced by World War II. Suits were practical and modest due to fabric rationing. The typical look included single-breasted jackets with broad shoulders, wide lapels, and high-waisted trousers. Colors were neutral—navy, brown, and grey dominated.
- Fedoras were essential and completed the gentleman’s look
- Pocket squares and ties added color and personality
- Suspenders and polished leather shoes (often brogues or Oxfords) were common.
- Zoot Suiters: (more prominent in the late '30s but still seen early '40s): Known for their exaggerated suits with long coats and wide-legged trousers, worn mostly by African American, Latino, and Filipino youth in urban areas—often paired with jazz and swing culture
1950s ~ Menswear & Subcultures
Style Overview:
Post-war prosperity brought back a refined, clean-cut style. The "gray flannel suit" defined corporate America, while casualwear began to emerge with slacks, knit shirts, and bowling shirts becoming popular for weekends.
- Slim ties and tie bars added a sharp finish
- Crew cuts and pompadours (styled with Brylcreem) defined hairstyles
- Loafers and wingtip shoes were stylish footwear choices
- Greasers: Working-class youth known for leather jackets, jeans, white T-shirts, and slicked-back hair. Inspired by rock 'n' roll and rebellious icons like James Dean and Marlon Brando
- Ivy League / Preppy: Sweater vests, chinos, blazers, and loafers reflected collegiate style, rooted in East Coast universities
1960s ~ Menswear & Subcultures
Style Overview:
Early '60s fashion stayed relatively conservative, but by mid-decade, youth culture broke boundaries. The British Invasion (led by The Beatles) introduced sleeker, mod-inspired looks, and by the late '60s, fashion was far more relaxed and expressive.
- Skinny ties, turtlenecks, and collared shirts with bold prints
- Chelsea boots and Beatle boots gained popularity
- Round sunglasses, and scarves (often paisley or psychedelic) became more common
- Mods: Smart, stylish youth with tailored suits, parkas, and scooters. Think sharp lines, bold colors, and influences from jazz and soul music
- Hippies: Peace-loving counterculture followers in bell-bottoms, fringe vests, tie-dye, and long hair. They rejected commercialism and embraced natural living and psychedelic influences
- Rude Boys (UK): Originating from Jamaican ska culture, featuring sharp suits, pork pie hats, and an influence that would lead into the ska revival of the 1970s
1940s ~ Children’s Fashion ~ Practical and Modest
Style Overview:
Due to wartime fabric rationing and the "make do and mend" culture, children's clothing in the 1940s was simple, practical, and often handmade or repurposed.
- Dresses with peter pan collars, puffed sleeves, and smocking
- Pinafores were common for everyday wear
- Cardigans and hand-knitted jumpers for warmth
- Hair tied with ribbons or scarves in simple braids or curls
- Shorts with braces (suspenders) and button-up shirts
- Wool jumpers, blazers, or knitted vests
- For formal occasions: short trousers suits with ties
- Leather lace-up boots or sandals
- Knit caps or berets in colder months
- Schoolchildren often carried satchels, and wore caps or beanies as part of uniforms
- Children were expected to look neat and tidy
- Hand-me-downs and mending were the norm, and clothing often emphasized durability over style
1950s ~ Children’s Fashion ~ Sweet and Structured
Style Overview:
The post-war economic boom led to more variety and mass-produced children’s clothing. Styles became more playful and colorful, echoing adult trends in a more innocent way.
- Full-skirted dresses with petticoats for parties
- Mary Jane shoes, ankle socks and hair bows for warmth
- Everyday wear included capris, blouses, and rompers
- Hair often worn in ringlets or ponytails with ribbons
- Short trousers remained common, with button-up shirts and V-neck sweaters
- Bow ties, or small clip-on ties for dressy occasions
- Jeans and check shirts (a growing American influence)
- Saddle shoes, Mary Janes, or canvas sneakers like Keds
- Hats like beanies, or flat caps
- Toys became fashion statements too - yo-yos, comic books, and cowboy hats
- This was the era of "picture day" school portraits and matching sibling outfits
- Influence from American TV and film started to shape children’s fashion
1960s ~ Children’s Fashion ~ Bright and Bold
Style Overview:
Children’s fashion in the 1960s mirrored the playful and experimental nature of the adult world. Bright colors, fun prints, and more relaxed silhouettes became common. Clothes started to emphasize freedom of movement and individuality.
- Mini dresses, colorful tights and bold patterns
- Go-go boots and plastic headbands for stylish girls
- Hair in bobs, pixie cuts, or still in ponytails with large bows
- Denim jeans, corduroy trousers, and turtlenecks
- Striped or graphic T-shirts, often with cartoon, or superhero prints
- Casual wear became more acceptable, with fewer formal expectations
- Plastic sunglasses, mod-inspired hats and velcro shoes (late '60s)
- Colorful lunchboxes with with cartoon or pop culture themes
- Play culture shaped fashion - superheroes, space race, and psychedelic patterns were all influential
- This was the era of youth empowerment and child-focused media—think of shows like Sesame Street (launched in 1969), which influenced how kids saw themselves and their clothing