1940s in Western fashion
The 1940s in Western fashion were profoundly shaped by World War II (1939–1945), dividing the decade into two distinct phases: a wartime first half defined by scarce resources and minimal change in styles, and a post-war second half marked by a cautious revival, though the war's shadow lingered throughout. Most studies of 1940s fashion have mainly focused on the post-war years, sidelining wartime trends and reducing them to simple, practical designs like slacks, while overlooking diverse national experiences.