1940s Fashion - Hard times for fashion
#SUBHEADING#Hard Times for Fashion#SUBHEADINGEND# The Second World War signalled radical changes to British Society. Resources were rationed, men were called up and the Home Front production was geared towards supporting the war effort. This was also a significant era for British fashion. As clothes became scarce, rationed and regulated by government design, the ability to assert individuality and style became increasingly difficult. With limited access to new clothing the British population were forced to "Make do and mend" the items they already owned. With limited cosmetics women had to be creative and inventive in their ways to keep looking beautiful. After the end of the war, the 'New Look' signalled a sharp contrast to the austere wartime fashion. After years of strict dress regulations and scarcity of fabrics, this ostentatious style seemed wasteful and unpatriotic. #SUBHEADING#Restrained and Austere#SUBHEADINGEND# War-time restrictions and shortages had a big influence on fashion. Fashion took on a military look with boxy square shoulders on jackets, waist belt and military-style pockets, knee length pencil skirt which was not too tight, allowing freedom of movement. This look was restrained and austere. It was thought un-patriotic and in bad taste to have fancy embellishments on clothes when there were so many shortages. Because leather was in short supply, wedge heels made of cork or wood were worn. This kind of sole also made it easier for women to walk longer distances or stand for longer periods of time due to their feet being better supported. Even though wool was short supply hand knitting was widely employed for cardigans, jumpers and waistcoats for men. #IMAGE# Hats remained un-rationed throughout the war. Woman could make a real statement with their hats and were encouraged to re-trim old hats and not buy new - the "Make Do and Mend" ethos. Dungarees, trousers and siren suits (jumpsuit) became acceptable wear at work and for leisure because they were practical and didn't require coupons to buy.
Flirty Flapper Fashion
The 1920s saw a radical change to the fashionable silhouette. In contrast to the previous decades, the tightly corseted shape was abandoned in favour of the slim line boyish figure. Read on to explore the radical fashion of the daring twenties.
1940s Fashion - Utility scheme
War time shortages had a big influence on fashion in the forties. Find out how the shortages in resources led to a government restrictive fashion scheme, which placed limitations on how clothes looked and how much material they could be made from.
1940s Fashion - back to 'Civvie' Street
War time shortages had a big influence on fashion in the forties. Read on to discover how the term 'The Full Monty'' originated, and why Christian Dior's New Look caused such a stir after the war time restrictions placed on fashion.
1940s Fashion - 'Keep young and beautiful'
War time shortages had a big influence on fashion in the forties. Discover how women managed to keep looking young and beautiful, and what hairstyles and make-up were popular during the wartime years.
1940s Fashion - Rationing and Making do
War time shortages had a big influence on fashion in the forties. Discover how the government introduced a clothing rationing system, which meant people had to 'make do and mend' with the clothes they already owned.
Costume and Fashion
Clothes and fashion are a part of our every day lives. The costume collections at Hull Museums contain over 6,000 items, ranging from bodices to boots and Gents waistcoats to whalebone corsets. The collection represents every major historical period; from the Georgian period to the last decades of the 20th century. This section explores the diversity and development of fashion, showing what we used to wear, where we used to wear it and how we used to live.
Singer sewing machine
No museum social history collection would be complete without one! It may be common, but its invention was a miraculous time saving device in the home. Read on to find out the history behind this 1917 Singer Sewing machine.
