Fashion Influenced by Ww2
What Impact has World War 2 had on Fashion?
For this assignment I have been asked to select an aspect of fashion culture to research and investigate. I have decided to base my assignment on World War 2 and investigate the impact it has had on fashion culture as a whole. I have chosen a history based theme for my assignment as I personally believe that history plays a main part in today's fashion culture, and I also think it is very interesting to see how designers today revive fashion from the past.
The essay will firstly explore how fashion survived during World War 2, which will include looking at the recycling of materials which took place. Secondly I will examine how work affected what women had to wear; this will also be linked closely with exploring whether the World War 2 era was the start of women wearing functional clothing. The next area I will explore is whether celebrities during the period, had an impact on what women wore. Throughout the investigation I will analyse whether there are elements of fashion from World War 2 which still exist today. Lastly I will conclude the assignment, ‘what impact has World War 2 had on fashion?’
I feel that fashion survived extremely well during World War 2. This was due to women being encouraged to 'Make Do' and 'Mend (see illustration 1).' An example of the 'Make Do' and 'Mend,' was that, “pillowcases would be turned into white shorts for summer. Also Wedding dresses would be worn several times, borrowed by either sisters or friends, until the original 1939 bride in desperation for new items, remade the dress up into underwear, French Knickers or nightgowns” (In my wardrobe, 2008). Women who could sew dresses had trouble getting hold of fabrics so they used everything from industrial blackout cloth to parachute silk or the harsher new parachute nylon. Blankets were used to make coats and old voluminous swagger coats cut into smaller garments. Nothing was wasted and even milk top discs were covered in raffia and
For this assignment I have been asked to select an aspect of fashion culture to research and investigate. I have decided to base my assignment on World War 2 and investigate the impact it has had on fashion culture as a whole. I have chosen a history based theme for my assignment as I personally believe that history plays a main part in today's fashion culture, and I also think it is very interesting to see how designers today revive fashion from the past.
The essay will firstly explore how fashion survived during World War 2, which will include looking at the recycling of materials which took place. Secondly I will examine how work affected what women had to wear; this will also be linked closely with exploring whether the World War 2 era was the start of women wearing functional clothing. The next area I will explore is whether celebrities during the period, had an impact on what women wore. Throughout the investigation I will analyse whether there are elements of fashion from World War 2 which still exist today. Lastly I will conclude the assignment, ‘what impact has World War 2 had on fashion?’
I feel that fashion survived extremely well during World War 2. This was due to women being encouraged to 'Make Do' and 'Mend (see illustration 1).' An example of the 'Make Do' and 'Mend,' was that, “pillowcases would be turned into white shorts for summer. Also Wedding dresses would be worn several times, borrowed by either sisters or friends, until the original 1939 bride in desperation for new items, remade the dress up into underwear, French Knickers or nightgowns” (In my wardrobe, 2008). Women who could sew dresses had trouble getting hold of fabrics so they used everything from industrial blackout cloth to parachute silk or the harsher new parachute nylon. Blankets were used to make coats and old voluminous swagger coats cut into smaller garments. Nothing was wasted and even milk top discs were covered in raffia and
Bibliography: Websites Harris, C., (2009) Women Under Fire in World War 2 http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/britain_wwtwo/women_at_war_01.shtml - On 25/11/2009 Holman, B., (2007) From Whitehall to Green Park In my Wardrobe, (2008). Last accessed at http://inmywardrobe.co.nz/Default.aspx - On 09/11/2009 Jakubiak, I., (2004) Celebrities Make Their Mark On Fashion Make Do and Mend, (2007), (Illustration 1). Last accessed at http://www.tynelives.org.uk/war/wife/mendlg.htm - On 10/11/2009 Tyler, L, Wilson. B., (2009) The Modern Make Do and Mend. Last accessed at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8224494.stm - On 17/11/2009 Books Beckett, C., (2008) Make Do and Mend, John Lewis, (London) Ewing, E., (1986) History of 20th Century Fashion, Chrysalis Books, (London). Hynson, C., (2001) Britain since WW2 Fashion (London). Exhibitions Imperial War Museum, London, Second World War Galleries (2009) Harris, C., (2009) Women Under Fire in World War 2. Last accessed at http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/britain_wwtwo/women_at_war_01.shtml - On 25/11/2009 Jakubiak, I., (2004) Celebrities Make Their Mark On Fashion. Last accessed at http://www.cottoninc.com/lsmarticles/?articleID=12 - On 25/11/2009 Make Do and Mend, (2007), (Illustration 1) Tyler, L,. (2008) How did World War 2 affect fashion in the 1940s? Last accessed at http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_did_World_War_2_affect_fashion_in_the_1940s - On 25/11/2009 Wilson