Skip to main content

Description

This book reveals the impact of wartime and austerity on British fashion and tells the story of how a spirit of patriotism and make-do-and-mend unleashed a wave of new creativity among women, starved of high fashion by shortages and rationing.

Many home dressmakers copied the high-end looks, and women involved in war work created a whole new aesthetic of less formal street wear. Fashion in the 1940s also shows how the Second World War shifted the centre of the international couture scene away from Paris, allowing British designers to influence Home Front style.

Afterwards Paris fashion was re-born with Dior's extravagant New Look, while casual American trends were widely adopted by young British women and men.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Dressed for War
Restricted Fashion
Keeping Up Appearances
Bridal Wear
Post-war Style
Further Reading
Places to Visit
Index

Product details

Published 10 Oct 2014
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Pages 72
ISBN 9781784420277
Imprint Shire Publications
Illustrations 30 b/w; 40 col
Series Shire Library
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Jayne Shrimpton

Jayne Shrimpton holds an MA in the history of Dres…

Related Titles

Environment: Staging