Fashion in the 1940s began with the hand-me-downs of the depression years and ended with the New Look, a tidal wave in Women's fashion started by Christian Dior's bold vision in 1947.
The War years found inspiration in Hollywood that was tempered by rationing in place at the time. Narrow tailored looks with padded shoulders, and a business-like aire that morphed as more and more items became more difficult to get. Towards the end of the war as rayon or nylon became more scarce pants and long straight skirts became more common. Dior's line of '47 brought in a radically different silhouette, emphasis on the bust a narrow waist and full skirts that had yards of fabric in them
would dominate fashion for the next ten years.