This straight skirt with a little flare at the hemline used very little fabric yet was easy to move in. Delicate embellishments were removed, keeping the look economical and simple. Hemlines shortened to the knee to save on fabric and free women into dresses that were easier to work in. The bias cut long dress of the ’30s dress required too much fabric. As war approached, women’s roles changed from the ultra feminine to the practical and useful.
Starting in the late 1930s, dresses took on inspiration from menswear. At first glance, most 1940s dress styles look alike.
