1940s Women's Styles

Circle Skirt

The circle skirt is the simplest skirt to make, which may be why it was so popular in the 1940s when many women made their own clothes. Circle skirts are full but hang straight and slightly away from the legs. A fuller and more exaggerated form of the circle skirt became popular in the 1950s and lead to the poodle skirt.

Menswear Inspired

Menswear inspired clothing really took off during the 1940s when women started entering the workplace and taking over traditionally male tasks. Wearing pants was becoming more acceptable, but the menswear trend was seen mostly in women’s suits. Some women’s suits even took on a more patriotic styling in the form of military details. Squarer, more masculine padded shoulders were also popular in woman’s suits.