The fabulous 1940’s
In Hastings we love the 1940’s. There is no doubt in my mind that this has been helped along by Tv Series ‘Foyles War’, which is set in our lovely little home town of Hastings in the early 40’s, during the second world war. That coupled with the recent success of the BBC1 series Land girls, seems to have sent us into a 40’s frenzy.
When you think of vintage clothing, it is very difficult not to be taken back to that wartime era, where even though times were hard and rationing was in place, the men and women seemed to look and dress better than they ever have.
Rationing of fabric had an effect on the styles of clothes. Women became more and more creative. With the men away they would amend and re stitch their husbands suits, making them into suits for themselves. Dresses were even made out of recycled curtains.
The cut of Dresses in the 40’s was feminine, in at the waist with emphasis on wide lapels and padded shoulders, often tea dress style with mid length sleeves. The emphasis was placed on the hips, creating the desired hourglass figure that was brought to us by the early hollywood stars.
The popular hairstyles of the 40’s were slightly longer and more feminine than the shorter styles which were popular in the 30’s. Pin curls, victory rolls and pill box hats were all popular and iconic looks of the era.
The late post war 1940’s brought with it our vintage love for Hawaiian prints and themes. Husbands and fathers were returning from war with gifts for their loved ones, and these gifts came in a range of glorious colours and styles. Hawaiian prints were, and still are, a must have for the vintage lover. We happen to have a great range of vintage Hawaiian shirts in store right now.For a 40’s inspired look why not pop down and have a look, we have some beautiful 40’s inspire Anami & Janine woodland fairies dresses in stock http://www.littletreasuresvintage.co.uk/index.php/2011/04/spring-fairy-dress-by-anami-janine/ and our new shoe department is positively littered with 40’s style shoes.
