1940s Summer Dress - Your Casual Vintage Style Guide
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All about the Vintage Style 1940s Summer Dress including the Sailor dress, border print dress, peplum dress, wrap dress, and more.
This post is all about the 1940s Summer Dress
This is part of our 1940s dresses series.
Other posts in the series:
Your Guide to 1940s Dresses Formal
Your Guide to the 1940s Cocktail Dresses
What kind of dresses were popular in the 40s?
With World War II raging on, materials were limited and utility clothing was top priority.
As a result, 1940s fashion was utilitarian, with a straighter, more practical silhouette than the 1950s silhouette which was influenced by Christian Dior's new look.
1940s dresses tended to have a narrow waist, with an aline skirt.
They also kept in line with the classic 1940s silhouette with the wider shoulders and fitted waist.
Shirtwaist style dresses were common for house dresses.
Many of these style dresses were used as day dresses.
Many of the summer dresses had small sleeves to keep the wearer cooler in the summer time.
The skirt length tended to fall right below the knees, a bit shorter than the 1930s.
Popular 1940s summer dress styles included the Sailor/Patriotic dress, Border print Dress, Peasant Dress, Apron Pinafore or Jumper Dress, Peplum Dress, Wrap Dress, and Dolman Cap Sleeve Dress.
These style dresses were worn by both the 1940s fashion icons and everyday women.
1950s silhouette as shown by Dior’s new look, (left). The straighter 1940s silhouette with emphasized shoulders and narrow waist. (right)
In this post:
Sailor / Patriot Dress
Border Print Dress
Peasant Dress
Apron Pinafore or Jumper Dress
Peplum Dress
Two Piece Dress
Wrap Dress
Dolman Cap Sleeve Dress
“You can have anything in life if you dress for it.”
1940s Summer Dress: Sailor / Patriotic Dress Style
What makes a 1940s dress a sailor (or patriotic) dress?
It is actually the eye-popping combination of the key patriotic colors of navy blue and white, and often bright red as well.
For a country embroiled in World War II this was yet another way to show one’s love and support for her homeland and men fighting to defend it.
Ladies, teenagers (and girls!) loved wearing these patriotic wartime outfits.
The love of blending the nautical and patriotic themes extended beyond dresses to trousers, skirts, shorts, and even swimsuits.
Notice the fitted dress bodice and slightly flared skirt, trademark components of the 1940s silhouette.
Style icons wearing the 1940s Peasant Dress
Ingrid Bergman absolutely sizzles in this patriot 1940s dress that she wears for the 1943 film Casablanca, starring opposite Humphrey Bogart. (left)
It centers around patriotism and a heartbreaking love story in Casablanca.
It is oh so fitting that the main star should wear a beautiful 1940s patriotic dress.
Again remember that what defines a 1940s patriotic dress are the colors and patterns--hers is dark navy blue stripes, paired with white.
We love how graceful and beautiful Ingrid Bergman in this casual style.
“Here’s looking at you, kid”
Other posts you might like:
Here’s Looking at You, Kid. Ingrid Bergman’s Sensational 1940s Fashion in Casablanca
1940s Summer Dress: Border Print Dresses
Lades (and girls) loved floral print dresses in the 1940s.
For a few years in the mid 1940s, designer’s creativity ran wild and they experimented with floral border print dresses.
These floral patterns were typically oversized and would follow the lines of the dress skirt, the sleeves, or the bodice.
According to the fashion history buffs, this trend didn’t last too long in the 1940s, but would come back with a bang in the 1950s.
1940s Dresses: Border Print - Old Hollywood Glamour Style
Leave it to Old Hollywood Glamour to bring a va-voom factor to the 1940s border print dresses style.
Notice how these glam large floral border prints styles are sequined and embroidered.
Goes to show how adding a two-dimensional styling element really makes the delicate floral pattern pop against the white drapey fabric.
1940s Summer Dress: Peasant Dress
Teenage girls especially loved peasant style dresses in the mid 1940s.
Women also adopted this fun frilly vintage style.
This 1940s summer dress style was inspired by European medieval country peasant outfits.
Say hello to the girlie peasant blouse and dirndl skirt (or alpine) skirt.
This peasant inspired ensemble would be include a fitted bodice and a full gathered skirt.
Not only were these 1940s peasant dresses super cute, but they were oh so comfy for young girls and women to wear.
The skirts had gathered waistbands and adorable ruffles.
The fun thing about this style was that ladies and girls could choose to amplify the peasant detailing (or incorporate a few style elements for).
Fun Fact!
Can you spot how elements from the peasant style stem from the Edwardian era?
Hint: Blouses with ruffle decorations, dramatic sleeves, bow neckties, and contrast trimming.
Style icons wearing the 1940s Peasant Dress
(Top image) Teresa Wright looks absolutely adorable in her peasant style dress as she plays a teenager in the 1943 Hitchcock Thriller Shadow of a Doubt.
Her world turns upside down when her favorite uncle visits.
However she soon moves from overjoyed to frightened, as she suspects that her uncle is the famous “Merry Widow” killer the police are hunting.
Notice the style elements for this 1940s peasant dress which is the embroidered blouse and intricate ruffle trim details.
(Bottom image) We love how Linda Darnell incorporates some of the folksy front lacing corset top style into this sizzling dress style that nods at 1940s peasant dress, but is truly unique.
This is a super sexy blend of peasant type elements with sophisticated evening dress elements (i.e. the long gloves and daring sleeves)
1940s Summer Dress: Apron Pinafore or Jumper Dress
A dress that looks like an apron, but is actually a dress?
Yep!
The 1940s pinafore or jumper dresses have fitted bodices that look like they are aprons (like an old school bib!) with straps.
Depending on the style, the vintage jumper dress could be worn over a shirt.
Of course this being the 1940s, those straps were ruffled, making these appear even more like a retro apron.
1940s Dresses - Apron Pinafore Dress: Vintage Girls Jumper
(Left image) These little girls look so cute and adorable in their 1940s apron pinafore dresses!
Notice how the one girl in the black jumper dress is wearing hers on top of a white blouse, while the other’s light colored pinafore dress includes sleeves and thus is not layered on top of a shirt.
These vintage styles are a fun take on the retro school girl pinafore uniform.
(Right image) Lucille Ball rocks a 1940s apron pinafore styled dress at her ranch in the San Fernando Valley in the 1940s.
Notice the how the layer of straps are ruffled making her dress look like an adorable vintage apron!
“The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.”
1940s Summer Dress: Peplum Dress
“Peplum dresses - because life’s too short to wear boring clothes.”
The ultra-feminine peplum dress style was very popular in the 1940s.
“Peplum” is from a Greek word for “tunic.”
It is basically a skirt-like frill (or extra long top) that falls below the waistline.
As you’ll see from the ensuing pics, ladies loved this style and went all out with variations, from flowy to structured, and ranging from one and two piece suits pieces.
Why did women love this style so much?
Well the extra folds at the hips made their waists look smaller.
1940s Dresses - Peplum Style: Summer Vintage Outfit
Oh my, what’s not to love about both of these 1940s peplum style dresses.
Notice how the dress outfit with the lighter blouse and darker skirt is a two piece ensemble, whereas the checkered style peplum dress outfit is one piece.
Both outfits are slightly fitted, with a gentle a line skirt, and clearly defined waists.
We love this feminine 1940s style dress.
Style icons wearing the 1940s Style Peplum Dress
Lucille Ball (Left) and Gene Tierney (right) really take the two piece peplum dress outfit up a notch with impeccable suit styling.
Even though these are both clearly peplum style dresses, yet notice the adorable style variations.
Lucille Ball’s peplum bodice has dramatic shoulder pads and contrasting white collar and accent details and a simple swooping peplum fabric fold that drops below her waist.
Her skirt is cut from exactly the same fabric.
In contrast, Gene Tierney’s peplum style dress is a study in color blocking, with a light colored bodice with a double row of peplum frills, which is paired with a gently curving black a line skirt.
The black gloves, hat, pumps, and hosiery elevate her look even more.
1940s Dresses - Peplum Style: Dita Von Teese Fashion
Dita Von Teese is a modern day femme fatale who is famous for her love of vintage fashion and ability to flawlessly recreate iconic looks from the past.
This siren sizzles in a 1940s style peplum dress.
Notice the cheery retro print that is so on point.
(Oh how the 40s loved their prints for dresses, curtains, sofas -- basically everything!).
And, oh my those shoulder pads.
Other 40s elements that make this retro look oh so perfect?
Her simple vintage hair updo, retro makeup, and color coordinating from her outfit to her accessories!
We love that bright pop of red that ties her earrings and shoes to her her outfit!.
1940s Summer Dress: Two Piece Dresses
Two piece dresses (often what we would refer to skirt suits today) were very popular in the 1940s.
Basically this was dress in two pieces, with the fitted bodice (top component) and skirt (bottom) section cut out of matching fabric.
As it can be imagined, there were almost endless two piece dress variations, given the huge number popular 1940s stylistic options (shoulder pads, neck lines, skirt lines, peplum / ruffle details, fabrics, and so forth).
Two piece dresses - Old Hollywood Glam style
“I find men terribly exciting, and any girl who says she doesn’t is an anemic old maid, a streetwalker, or a saint.”
(Left image) Lana Turner, an Old Hollywood actress and popular pin-up model, sizzles in this early 1940s photograph wearing a two piece dress suit.
We love the 1940s styling details, from the houndstooth pattern to the shoulder pads and gentle flow of the a line skirt.
Notice how nipped in this dress suit is at the waist -- which shows off Lana Turner’s gorgeous hourglass figure -- a favorite feminine feature to highlight in the 1940s.
(Right image) A very young, Ida Lupino, who was famous for roles in Old Hollywood “B” films, often as the femme fatale, rocks this retro 1940s two piece dress suit.
We love how the button down details of her top (very much in the 1940s house dress style) contrasts with the voluminous knife pleats in her slinky skirt.
1940s Dresses - Two Piece Dresses: Everyday 40s Style
Again the possibilities are endless when it comes to the two piece dress.
Not only was this a popular and practical combination for the everyday working girl (left image), but this style could also be glammed up for the winter months.
Check out the ladies in the right image.
Think chic 1940s fall suits in your favorite plaid or houndstooth pattern.
And, and don’t forget the smart retro hat and gloves to add equal amounts of warmth and pizzaz to your vintage outfit!
Dresses in the 1940s - Two Piece Dresses: Dita Von Teese Style
Dita Von Teese, is back again to turn heads in her two piece 1940s styled dress suit.
Notice how she pairs her two piece 1940s dress with matching leather gloves and high heeled Mary Janes.
To add a bit of mystery and sizzle, she incorporates a vintage hat with partial veil.
Also, check out how she incorporated fur into her outfit.
This is a classic glamour favorite of Old Hollywood that instantly elevates an outfit.
1940s Summer Dress: Wrap Dress
The cross-front wrap dress was another favorite dress style--again this could be a simply house dress or an elegant day dress.
Simply the front of the dress is wrapped across the other side.
Its fastening or tie may be styled up or down as a decorative element.
This style originated in Asia, and was influenced by China and Japan.
We love how flattering the gentle criss-cross draping is, with the defined waist.
Leave it to the 40s to find another sophisticated dress type to emphasize the feminine figure!
This was also a favorite style for 1940s formal gowns.
Other posts you might like:
1940s Dresses - Wrap Dresses: Everyday 40s Style
“Wearing the correct dress for any occasion is a matter of good manners.”
(Right image) Loretta Young was a beautiful and talented actress who started acting in the Silent Movie era.
She successfully transitioned to the “the talkies” and even had a successful television series “The Loretta Young Show” in the 50s.
She stuns in her elegant wrap dress outfit in 1943.
In this sexy outfit, notice how the wrap detail was incorporated into both the bodice and skirt of her a-line summer dress.
(Left image) An everyday girl dresses up in her wrap dress for a fun day of shopping--notice the big grin in her face and the purse clutched in her hand.
What a chic and feminine 1940s dress style.
1940s Summer Dress: Dolman Cap Sleeve Dress
In the mid to late 1`940s a sexy new sleeve style emerged--the airy dolman cap sleeve.
Ladies took the popular 1930s deep cap sleeve style and added a touch of drama with shoulder pads--and the rest, as they say, is history.
Since the small sleeves are cut directly into the bodice fabric, they are already connected to the dress top, versus having to be sewn or attached to the dress top.
Notice how there are no sleeve lines or seams connecting the sleeves to the dress bodices.
Cap sleeves look like a small triangular umbrella -- or caps! -- caressing the shoulder.
The shoulder pads are cut to extend beyond a ladies’ natural shoulder line, resulting in a a delicate and airy sleeve flutter.
1940s dolman dresses, Vintage Glam style
(Top left image) Actress and 1940s style icon, Gene Tierney looks flawless in the classic film noir 1944 Laura.
Notice how airy and fluttery her sleeves are and how there are no seams attaching the sleeves to her dress.
(Top right and bottom images) In the chilling and suspenseful 1945 Leave Her to Heaven movie, Gene Tierney again sizzles on screen in her retro 1940s dress.
The slightly dramatic shoulder pads, combined with the airy quality of the dolman cap sleeves elevates this dress outfit to one of ethereal elegance.
Notice also the feminine wrap skirt details on Gene Tierney’s gorgeous floral 1940s summer dress! So charming!
Other posts you might like:
Gene Tierney Leave Her to Heaven - Her Lethal Femme Fatale Style
This post was all about 1940s summer dresses
What was your favorite style 1940s dress?