Fashion Show

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To understand the history of fashion during the war years, it is helpful to understand the state of economic and political affairs in America at the end of the ‘30’s. In the 1930’s, life for many Americans was bleak. Families struggled to make ends meet as jobs and money were scarce, a result of the stock market crash and depression. The 1931 drought in the midwest and southern plains led to severe dust storms and millions of acres of land that lost topsoil. By the end of 1934, 100 million acres had lost all topsoil, and another 125 million acres was rapidly losing topsoil, leading to a mass exodus from the plains. The drought and the “dustbowl” lasted from 1931 until the fall of 1939.

During that time, movies were the great American escape, and fashion was epitomized in the movies by such stars as Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, and Jean Harlow. Designers such as Adrian, Coco Chanel, and Edith Head provided a glimpse of glamour that was missing in everyday life. In the movies, no depression spoiled the fantasy: gowns were flowing, fur was used for cuffs and collars for both day and evening wear, and there was liberal use of silk, satin and velvet. Life was good.

With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, America abruptly changed from post-depression into preparation for war. On December 9, Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the American people, saying, “We are now in this war. We are all in it -- all the way. Every single man, woman and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history. We must share together the bad news and the good news, the defeats and the victories -- the changing fortunes of war...

“…Every citizen, in every walk of life, shares this same responsibility. The lives of our soldiers and sailors -- the whole future of this nation -- depend upon the manner in which each and every one of us fulfills his obligation to our country.”

Victory Days’ Home Front will have fashion show Saturday and Sunday, October 4-5, at 1 p.m. in the Sort Facility at the airport. The show will feature information about the history of fashion during the war years. If you are interested in voluteering (as a model, dresser, hair, make-up, sponsor, etc) please email April Christle at thvictorydays@aol.com or Elaine Headley-Jerome at eheadley@bluemarble.net. More information about the fashion show will be added to this site as the plans progress.

American women and the fashion industry answered the call. War goods manufacturing took precedence over everything else on the home front. All natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk, flax) were commandeered for the war effort and other fabrics, like rayon, were used for fashion.

Clothing became streamlined during the wars to save on the yards of material used. Gone were the flowing skirts and scarves, wide lapels, dolman sleeves, and long gowns of the ‘30’s. Wearing flashy or ostentatious clothing was seen as unpatriotic. Clothing became more austere; narrow, shorter skirts, shorter tailored jackets, and trousers. Flair was added in peplums, shoulder pads, purses and hats.

A battle-cry on the home front was “make do and mend.” Many women began sewing again, as new clothing could only be purchased with ration coupons. The 66 coupons per person per year for clothing was roughly equivalent to one outfit. American ingenuity was seen as patterns emerged that showed women how to re-make a man’s suit into a woman’s suit and how to makeover other fabrics into dresses, blouses and skirts or children’s clothing.

It was common practice for women to draw a line down the back of each leg to resemble stockings, as nylon and silk were also commandeered for war production. Anklets were often worn.

Hats were one true opportunity for adornment. Small hats were worn toward the front of the face and tilted in a fetching way, and they were often decorated with ribbons, feathers, flowers and veils. Large brimmed hats were also worn. When working in factories, snoods, scarves and turbans were worn to keep hair off the face, and these styles became popular after work as well.

At Victory Days, we will have a fashion show every day at 1 p.m. Volunteers will model clothing from every walk of life: from life on the farm and small town America, to city life, to factory workers, from daytime to nighttime, for men, women and children. Vintage clothing and accessories give us a glimpse of history for those fighting the war at home. Plan to join us for a look at the “civilian uniforms” of your mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts and uncles.