1940s bridal fashion
Mar 16, 2014 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns
Vintage love
The 1940s was a time of contrast – the harsh reality of war followed by the euphoria of worldwide freedom. This was the era of rushed, military weddings and beautiful, post-war ceremonies. Brides were resourceful and started their unions filled with optimism. If you are planning this kind of vintage affair, join us in learning more about 1940s bridal fashion.
1940s bridal fashion
On the heels of the opulent 1930s, this decade was defined by a more subtle tone – simplicity was key. Remember, this was the time of rations and a fashionable lady had to use her small collection of resources wisely. Weddings were sometimes casual and planned in a frenzy, as brides tried to coordinate with their sweetheart’s military leave. For a courthouse wedding a nice afternoon dress complete with gloves and a hat was suitable.
Image from John Oxley Library
Feminine styles were very popular as brides captured a look of innocence during a time of great despair. As we discussed in our feature on finding the perfect vintage wedding dress for your body type, the 1940s is a great period to draw inspiration from. The princess cut or a-line dress style flatters most and accents your natural figure. This style was often accentuated with a peplum and long, fitted sleeves which came to a point over the hand.
Image from John Oxley Library
Necklines would showcase the bride’s bust line – common shapes include the sweetheart (a heart shape at the bust line), the v-neck, and the rounded neck. The shoulders would often be enhanced with small puffs. Veils were usually long enough to end at the fingertips and the clever bride would take tulle from her veil to create a unique headdress. Dresses were typically made of a rayon-satin blend and sometimes skirts of sheer netting with flower appliques would be added to embellish the style. The flower theme was often echoed in the hairstyles with a cluster of orange blossoms added to their curls. Victory rolls or side swiped hair gave the 1940s bride a casual, elegant appearance.
In 1947, Dior’s New Look debuted and styles went from sweet to ultra-feminine. The bell shaped gown reigned supreme during the later part of the decade. The late 1940s was a time of incredible hope and weddings during this time embodied this joy. That energy is a great asset to any ceremony and we hope you find it quite inspiring!
Cause A Frockus would like to thank their tremendous resources: “Vintage Wedding: Simple Ideas for Creating a Romantic Vintage Wedding” by Daniela Turudich, “Style Me Vintage: An inspirational guide to styling the perfect vintage wedding” by Annabel Beeforth, and the people who post their images without restriction.