The Men’s Fashion in the 1940s were a historic decade, marked not only by World War II, but also by enormous advancements in technology, pop culture, and society, all of which had an influence on apparel. With that stated, have movies and television programs accurately depicted 1940s menswear?

World War II raged throughout the first half of the 1940s, yet the influence of such a sad global catastrophe was still felt and represented in men's clothes.

Rationing made textiles often unavailable. It also had an effect on clothing style. There were new rules in effect that prohibited individuals from just wearing anything they chose, and even if they could, there were restrictions. Of course, there was a fresh societal development that influenced menswear.

Men's Fashion in the 1940s: What We Can Learn and Apply Today

Suits

The suits of the 1940s were distinguished by their boxy structured design, heavy fabrics, large shoulders, and nipped waists. This is a dramatic contrast to the easygoing designs of the previous decade and today's fitted suits. Due to wartime fabric scarcity, suits were simpler, with fewer pockets (often just 1-3) and limits on pocket flaps, belted features, and lapel proportions. This also saw the use of patch pockets (exposed pockets sewed onto the exterior of a jacket, akin to modern workwear fashions) to save fabric while also emulating battle fatigues.

During the war, wearing vintage suits was deemed patriotic, in contrast to the affluence of the late 1940s. when fashion was fast developing and customers were eager to keep up with the newest trends. This meant that although new designs were being developed, many men recycled old styles and continued to wear them to support the existing constraints. This resulted in a very unique and original trend in menswear. Suits were traditionally worn to match, but due to shortages, men began mixing and matching suit tops, bottoms, shirts, and sweaters. This enabled certain classic designs to develop while also improving the wearability of most men's wardrobes.

When it comes to textiles, most military uniforms are made of wool, thus most civilian apparel is made of a wool/rayon mix that is durable and suited for numerous seasons. Pinstripes and subdued hues continued to dominate, but the new mix-and-match design added lightness. Men's suits grew more lavish after the war, with broader lapels, more prominent shoulder padding, and bigger trousers, evoking the rich fashions of the 1950s.

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Shirts

Shirt designs of the 1940s were rather basic, with an emphasis on utility and comfort. However, advances in fabric technology led to the birth of'micro patterns,' plaid, and other motifs that were commonplace in the late 1940s.

The most popular shirt types were the simple white dress shirt and utility shirt, which were important for both workers and servicemen. Both were considered'soft collars,' which were affixed to the shirt and resembled the dress shirts that men wear today. However, in the early 1940s, men's fashion leaned toward'spear points' or collars with very long tips; later in the decade, they retreated to become much shorter and closer to the neck.

Collar stays were also popular at the period; they were detachable but provided a crisp, tailored appearance when required, as searching became less fashionable - another fantastic flexibility characteristic seen in men's 1940s design. Finally, camp shirts, which were a staple of 1940s men's fashion, marked a significant shift toward more informal attire. These shirts were short-sleeved and lightweight, with a loose fit and one or two breast patch pockets. For a contemporary comparable, consider a bowling shirt or a Cuban shirt, both of which have had a recent rebirth.

Pants

Trousers of the 1940s were high-waisted, reflecting the era's style of a manly body with a wide chest and a slim waist. The leg cut was broader than it is now, although trousers were restricted during the war. To save fabric, pant openings in the United States were limited to 9.5 inches (measured flat).

This is when the great Zoot Suit began to take control. This suit was enormous in every manner, with a significantly longer jacket that often reached the low thigh and excessively broad trousers that seem big even by today's standards. This design was often seen as unpatriotic due to the usage of excess cloth and a less 'traditionally' manly form. The style became especially popular among disadvantaged populations, who were often pushed out or refused access to mainstream culture; they adopted the zoot suit as a form of protest, utilizing their clothing to make a statement.

Sweater and Knitwear

The 1940s saw a substantial shift in men's sweaters and knitwear, driven by the practical necessities of wartime and post-war rehabilitation. Sweaters were not only a fashion statement, but also a necessary layering garment owing to fabric scarcity and the necessity for warmth. The decade witnessed the popularization of the crew neck sweater, commonly worn over a collared shirt, adding a sense of refinement to daily outfits.The preferred material was wool, which is recognized for its toughness and warmth.

V-neck sweaters were fashionable, particularly when worn with a tie beneath, combining casual comfort with a semi-formal look. This style was especially popular among professionals and academics, representing a balance of intellectualism and approachability. Visit our dedicated fashion hub here.

Jackets & outerwear

Men's coats and outerwear were heavily inspired by military designs during World War II. The bomber jacket, initially designed for pilots, became a civilian wardrobestaple, valued for its warmth and durability. These jackets, made of leather or strong canvas and lined with shearling or wool, were useful for both pilots and the general population who were exposed to the cold.