Evenin
g -wear was one thing that still had glamour in the '40s. Sequins and beads were not rationed or restricted, and were put on everything. Early 1940's dresses and gowns were simple but shiny, and did tend to be more on the casual side than anything in the decades before or after. Dresses were usually made from rayon taking the form of jersey, taffeta or crepe and fastened with metal zippers or small buttons in the back. Black was the most popular color, and pinks, reds and blues were often used as well. 1940s formal dresses were often covered head to toe in beads or sequins, some decorated just the bust like a necklace, or the front panels of a jacket.
g -wear was one thing that still had glamour in the '40s. Sequins and beads were not rationed or restricted, and were put on everything. Early 1940's dresses and gowns were simple but shiny, and did tend to be more on the casual side than anything in the decades before or after. Dresses were usually made from rayon taking the form of jersey, taffeta or crepe and fastened with metal zippers or small buttons in the back. Black was the most popular color, and pinks, reds and blues were often used as well. 1940s formal dresses were often covered head to toe in beads or sequins, some decorated just the bust like a necklace, or the front panels of a jacket.
One evening look during the '40s was the long gown and dinner jacket. The gown was a column shape, long to the floor and straight. It w
as usually plain or had beading or sequins at the neckline. A dinner jacket, fitted and usually short (to the waist), was worn on top of the dress. The dinner jacket was decorated with sequins and beads, either all over or down the front and had square shoulder pads. It would close with buttons or a metal zipper. Buttons on dinner jackets were often decorated themselves with beads or rhinestones. A bolero jacket was also worn a lot as a dinner jacket. These were short, coming only to the waist, with rounded edges at the front. They would have similar decorations and would close with a button at the top or middle or could be left open.
as usually plain or had beading or sequins at the neckline. A dinner jacket, fitted and usually short (to the waist), was worn on top of the dress. The dinner jacket was decorated with sequins and beads, either all over or down the front and had square shoulder pads. It would close with buttons or a metal zipper. Buttons on dinner jackets were often decorated themselves with beads or rhinestones. A bolero jacket was also worn a lot as a dinner jacket. These were short, coming only to the waist, with rounded edges at the front. They would have similar decorations and would close with a button at the top or middle or could be left open.
Other evening dresses were less fitted, with long to the floor skirts that were a bit gathered, making them more flowing. Evening dresses were also worn shorter, just below the knee, with a similar flowing skirt. Skirts were sometimes draped. They could have thin straps, but often also had short or ¾ length sleeves. If the dress had sleeves, it most likely had the ever-present sharp '40s shoulder pads. These dresses often had shirring in the waist, one panel on either side, or in the bust. They also often had a cross-wrapped bodice. Evening dresses were usually high-cut in the neck, similar to day dresses of the time. They would usually have some sparkle somewhere on the dress with beads, sequins or a combination, if not all over.
-This post is an excerpt from the 1940's Style Guide: The Complete Illustrated Guide to 1940's Fashion ebook. For more style history, how to tutorials and hundreds of images and shopping links pick up a copy today at 1940's Fashion.
