1940s Mens fashion

As the Great Depression came to an end and war descended on Europe, fashion for both men and women was dictated by economics more strongly than it had been during the first world war and the 1930s. The war meant Paris and Italy were no longer fashion leaders, and strict rationing, beginning in Britain in 1939 and America in 1941, meant designers had their work cut out for them. Substance mattered much more than style. Everyone needed practical, sturdy clothing, and no one wanted to be accused of a lack of patriotism by wearing something too flashy.The key to dressing 1940s is a good suit .

                                                                Casablanca style 

While the rest of the world was wearing rationed clothing Rick's bar remained a classy gin joint full of tuxes and fine linens jackets. For a cheap and cheerful Casablanca outfit like Signor Ferrari choose a linen jacket, slacks, white shirt and a tie all in light summer colours. This will be one of the easiest outfits to dance in, top with a fez if your feeling fun. The key Casablanca outfits are Rick's trenchcoat and Fedora combo, military and a classic tux. Whether white like Rick's, shiney gray like Sam's or traditional black, nothing says class like it, don't forget the dicky bow. If that doesn't take your fancy read on for more 1940s inspiration 

                                                                      The Zoot Suit 

The Jazz Era's wide suit, hugely popular in Harlem in the 1930s, was worn predominately by African-American and Mexican-American youths in the 1940s. It was considered unpatriotic and even illegal because it went so far against the standards of rationing. The fact that so many of the Mexican-Americans who wore it were gangsters did not help its reputation. However, the high-waisted, baggy and low-crotched trousers with the narrow ankle and oversized jackets had a powerful influence on men's fashions in the 1940s. Besides being an ideal outfit to wear while jitterbugging, the high waists and boxy, roomy coats were flattering, as well as comfortable. They gave a man more substance, something he wanted to project during such desperate times.

                                                               The Swing Scene 

The look most commonly associated with men's fashion in the 1940s, was what a man wore to take his honey out on the town. If he wasn't in uniform, his look was strictly adhered to by today's swing revivalists. Daring young men wore zoot suits, but others simply took off their single-breasted jackets to dance and showed off their style through their accessories. Even after the war, the accessories really made the man, the tie was crucial. In the 1940s, high-cut trousers meant ties were shorter and wider. They were brightly colored when everything else was austere. They were held in place by clips, because you wouldn't put a pin through your good tie. Shirts were held in place by good cufflinks and dressed up by suspenders, which fastened to the trousers by buttons. Suspenders were especially popular when the leather that would make belts was all going to the war effort. Almost everyone wore wingtip, spectator shoes, which were not terribly different from men's shoes in the 1920s or 1930s.