1940s-womens-fashion-inventions

1940′s Women’s Fashion Inventions

1940′s Women’s fashion was a time of great restrictions on design, fabric,

and trim materials. The war forced clothing designs to be simple yet it

also forced manufactures to be creative with what they could use and invent

new materials. The 1940′s brought about new women’s fashion inventions many

of which are still around today.

‘ol”li”strong’The girdle. ”strong’Prior to the 1940′s a women’s shape was made by metal boned

corsets. In the 1940′s the girdle was invented as a form of tummy tuck

underwear. It shaped just the middle down to the hips and created the

smooth hourglass silhouette associated with vintage fashions. The girdle

was uncomfortable and was eventually replaced by nylons or no shaping

undergarment at all. Today the girdle returns with body shapers, control

top stockings, control top underwear and other suck and smooth foundation

garments. They name may have changed but these garments are just updated

girdles in disguise.”li’ ‘li”strong’Wedge shoes.”strong’ Leather and wood was needed for the war

so shoe designs had to get creative. The solution was cork. A cork sole was

used for shoe heels and then wrapped in a pretty fabric, mesh or even

reptile skin. It was economical and allowed a taller heel then what was

considered a safe heeled pump. Today wedgies come in and out of fashion,

particularly in summer, when wedge sandals hit the beaches.”li’ ‘li”strong’Rayon”strong’. If you

didn’t know, Rayon is a synthetic fabric. It was invented and became very

popular in the 1940′s. Up till then wool, silk, and cotton was what

clothing was made of. Silk and cotton were needed for the war so Rayon was

used instead. It could be lightweight like silk or heavy like wool. Today

rayon is still used in fine fabrics, especially in summer.”li’ ‘li”strong’Nylons”strong’. Prior to

the 40′s women’s stockings were made of silk. They were very delicate and

needed frequent mending and hand washing. Dupont then invented nylon and

thus ‘Nylons’ became a brand name for stockings. Today nylon is still used

to make all kinds of hosiery and fabrics.”li’ ‘li”strong’The Zipper. ”strong’Thanks to new

inventions of the 1940′s women can zip up clothing instead of using

buttons, snaps or lacing.”li’ ‘li”strong’Plastic.”strong’ Although various forms of plastic had

been around since the 1920′s it wasn’t until the 1940′s that they really

took center stage in the fashion world. Jewelry was made of Bakelite

plastic in big colorful designs. Handbags, makeup case, and household items

were being made of Lucite. You may not recognize these plastic names but I

am sure you are aware that plastic is everywhere in fashion- from cute

barrettes to zippers to purse handles.”li’ ‘li”strong’Shoulder pads.”strong’ You may think that

the 1980′s were the first decade to use shoulder bags. They actually go

back much farther than the 1940′s but as a regular fashion accessory for

women the 1940′s were the first. They used shoulder pads in dresses,

jackets, and blouses in order to square off the shoulder for a boxy

military feel. The 1980′s were heavily influenced by 1940′s fashion and

thus shoulder pads came back in style.”li”’ol’

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