Your Guide to the 1940s Cocktail Dress

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Your guide to the 1940s cocktail dress and 1940s party dresses, including cocktail dresses in the 1940s, 1940s ruched, shirred and pintuck dresses, and 1940s fitted dresses.

This post is all about 1940s cocktail dress

This is part of our 1940s dresses series.

Other posts in the series:
Your Guide to 1940s Dresses Formal
1940s Summer Dress – Your Casual Vintage Style Guide
The Complete Guide to Women’s 1940s Casual Dresses
Your Guide to the Vintage 1940s Swing Dress

For the 1940s ladies who had extra money to spend on “glamming” up their night time attire, there were lots of options.

Black was a popular color for cocktail dresses, but other dark elegant colors (purple, pink, deep green, and navy blue) were also favorites. 

Design embellishments like lace, beading, and sheer fabrics, on a impeccably cut dress, that was accentuated with tasteful jewelry, sexy pumps, and gloves, added to the WOW factor. 

Some favorite 1940s cocktail dress and 1940s party dresses included Sheer Dresses, Ruched, Shirred, Pintuck Dresses, and Fitted Dresses.

Depending on the lady’s social status, she may not have had the budget for a fancy party dress. 

In this case, she would just wear her favorite day dress for her night out.

(Since all of the 1940s styles were so feminine and classy, this was a fabulous option!) 

Just as long as she felt beautiful for her evening out.

“To me, clothing is a form of self-expression — there are hints about who you are in what you wear.” — Marc Jacobs

Special Occasions: 1940s Cocktail Dress – Sheer Dresses

“Classy is when a woman has everything to flaunt, but chooses not to show it.” — Unknown

So, how would you be sexy and classy in the 40s, and show a bit more skin? 

Say hello to the 40s sheer dress style!

Not only did sheer fabrics make summer dresses cooler, it really elevated cocktail and evening dresses…adding an aura of mysterious sex appeal!



Alot of the sheer style pieces added to dresses were not see through, as there was actually a fabric layer underneath in a thicker solid color. 

So, which 1940s dress sections were truly sheer? 

Well, it was usually the sleeves and upper chest areas (aka the “high” cleavage).

Do you prefer the sheer little black dresses or Ingrid Bergman’s sheer floral print dress?

And…short sleeves or long sleeves, ladies? Peep toe shoes or retro high heels? 

Cocktail Dresses in the 1940s (Sheer Style): Barbara Stanwyck Fashion

The classy and feisty Old Hollywood Glamour actress, model, and dancer, Barbara Stanwyck, oozes class and sex appeal in these 1940s sheer dresses. 

She is perhaps best known for her role as a femme fatale in the 1944 film noir mystery Double Indemnity.

In Barbara Stanwyck’s polkadot accented sheer dress, notice how the deep cut bodice has a nude color layer under the sheer polkadot fabric, whereas the sleeves are truly sheer, and thus see through.

Again, just showing a hint of skin, but not a lot.

We love the timeless style of this cocktail party dress!

Now… where’s the dance floor? 

Dresses in the 1940s – Sheer Cocktail Dresses: Gene Tierney Fashion

“Nothing strengthens a woman’s determination to be in love quite so much as being told that she cannot.” — Gene Tierney

My goodness, who would not fall for the gorgeous and classy Gene Tierney?

She truly seemed like a gentle beauty. 

Notice how ultra-glam this look is and how stunning the black sheer flor detailing on the bodice and arms contrasts with the white skirt.

Again, notice how the entire dress bodice is a patterned black sheer layered on top of a nude fabric, whereas her arms are completely sheer.

Sooooo chic and classy!

This sexy timeless style could totally double as… a princess ballgown. Right?

Need more dazzling evening gowns inspiration, including ballgown styles and grecian gowns? 
Your Guide to 1940s Dresses Formal

Formal Events and Cocktail Parties: 1940s Ruched, Shirred, & Pintuck Dress

With the 1940s shirred, ruched, and pintuck dresses, we see creativity run wild in the best possible sense.

These various sewing techniques added texture, interest, and unique elements looks to dresses. 

They also were used to full advantage to play up and down various parts of a lady’s figure and thus were very flattering.

As with other 1940s style elements, pintucking, ruching, and shirring could either be minimal or over the top, depending on the dress and look one was trying to achieve.

Notice the tasteful vintage patterns, from the patterned sea green style, red polkadots, to the white and black appliqué styles.

We will explain what these mean further as we look at some Old Hollywood Glam examples of actresses in the 40’s rocking these styles.

1940s Cocktail Party Dresses – Shirred Dress: Joan Crawford Retro Fashion

Joan Crawford absolutely stuns in her shirred 1940s dress in this publicity shot for 1945 film Mildred Pierce. 

This suspenseful film centers on a mother’s destructive relationship with her spoiled daughter. 

And it is a must-see for any 1940s fashionista who loves suspensful drama.

The shirring at the shoulders and waistline of Mildred Pierce’s dress gives her a narrower waist. 

The overall result? 

Joan Crawford looks very sexy and refined in this dress, and it shows off her figure to the best advantage.

Special Event Dresses in the 1940s – Ruched Dress: Rita Hayworth Vintage Style

You just cannot talk about 1940s fashion without mentioning some of the incredible dresses that Rita Hayworth wears in the iconic 1946 film Gilda. 

Besides the killer vintage fashion, it’s no wonder that this classic sensual drama always tops the list of the best 1940s film noirs. 

We love Rita Hayworth cocktail dress that she nonchalantly wears one evening in the nightclub. 

Notice how the ruching (intentional pleating) on her shoulders adds texture and a unique style to this simple and yet classy dress! 

The fashion experts claim the ruching is universally flattering for everyone, so feel free to get inspired by this fabulous 1940s dress style.

Vintage Gowns: 1940s Dresses – Ruched Dress: Judy Garland Vintage Fashion

“Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue… and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.” — Judy Garland

The stunning Judy Garland, who most of us know as Dorothy from the classic 1939 Wizard of Oz, looks so chic in this 1940s photoshoot.


How do we dress, so that our dreams can come true?

Glad you asked! 

Notice a couple of the 1940s style elements that make her dress so unique…

First of all, the gathered overlay (ruching) on the sleeves, shoulders, and in the layered skirt. 

This creates a slinky ripple-like effect. 

Plus it adds fabulous movement and unique visual interest to the dress. 



Speaking of that layered skirt, note that layering techniques for dresses was also a thing in the 40s.

Of course her unique necklace, which is definitely Egyptian inspired, and her flawless retro hair and make-up also are key to recreating this fabulous vintage style.

What would take this formal style to the next level?

Why a pair of sparkly red slippers, of course….

Special Event: 1940s Fitted Dress

 Say hello to the fitted dress! 

The 1940s started getting creative with slinky fitted dresses that were had a tight fitting bodice and slightly looser skirt.

The fitted skirt style ranged from slight pencil, straight, to slight mermaid.

Dresses in the 1940s – Fitted Dress: Rita Hayworth Retro Style

Probably the most iconic fitted cocktail dress in the 1940s was the one that Rita Hayworth wore in the 1946 Gilda movie. 

In this film, Rita Hayworth sizzles in her black slinky cocktail gown in her infamous “almost striptease” performance to “Put the Blame on Mame,” as she tries (and succeeds!) in making her ex boyfriend (Glenn Ford) jealous.

Rita Hayworth’s black satin dress is strapless with a deep side slit and huge bow at her hip. 

Her dress is paired with long black gloves and black strappy high heels. 

What a sexy retro outfit!

This post was all about 1940s Cocktail Formal Dresses 

Now that you’ve time travelled to the 40s, to unpack the most stunning 1940s cocktail dresses of the Old Hollywood, which is your favorite?

Are you inspired to start building your own collection of Old Hollywood glam formal dress styles?

Is it just me, or do some of these glam gowns make you itch to travel the world, so can laugh and twirl the night away in some new exotic location? 

Humm… where to, is the question! A speakeasy somewhere in the United States, like San Francisco, or perhaps a vintage glam club in the United Kingdom?

Or, if you feel like staying at home first, and have 1950s housewife skills, maybe whip out the sewing machine and a stack of vintage sewing patterns, so that you can create a unique retro formal dress style. (This is not for the faint of heart! Haha.)

As a seamstress, you can ensure the perfect fit for your glamorous special occasion vintage clothing outfit.

P.S. Don’t forget to shop for a matching pair of heels….