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'Fashion on the Ration: 1940s Street Style, fashion exhibitions 2015, Imperial War Museum - London, summer exhibitions - 2015
Wartime fashion
a term of seemingly oxymoronic attribute-
is anything but when used to describe 1940s British fashion.
Though the years of conflict (WWII, 1939 – 1940)
imposed tight restrictions on the availability of
various types of materials for clothing manufacturing-
resourcefulness, inventiveness and creativity
resulted in garments, which were practical yet chic.
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(image from rokit.co.uk):
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(image from mens fashion magazine):
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As WWII progressed, the British government imposed
rationing regulations on, among other things, clothing and footwear.
British citizens were encouraged to “make do and mend”.
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Recycling and upcycling of garments was encouraged and necessary.
At the time it was illegal and considered unpatriotic to embellish
garments with buttons, pockets, extra pleating or trimming.
Such adornments required extra material and haberdashery-
which were all in short supply.
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In 1942, the British government established
the Incorporated Society of Fashion Designers.
Given the austerity of the time,
this group of leading designers created over 30 new “utility” clothing pieces:
garments of simple design, yet well crafted and stylish.
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(image from marieclaire.co.uk):
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The Imperial War Museum, London
is presently hosting the exhibition
Fashion on the Ration: 1940s Street Style
which examines how fashion survived and further thrived
during the war years.
On display are wartime letters, photos, postcards,
paintings/drawings, notebooks
and of course samples of clothing (civilian and military) and accessories-
all collectively offers an image of life at the time.
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Fashion on the Ration: 1940s Street Style
Imperial War Museum, London
until 31 August 2015
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For further detail, visit
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