The 70-Year-Old Trends You're Still Wearing Today
Our favourite part about looking at what people wore 50, 60 or 70 years ago is not pointing out what’s different about our styles—we’re much more interested in our similarities. And recently one particular decade of fashion history made us realise just how little has actually changed when it comes to fashion trends. In fact, we’d be willing to bet that a lot of the styles you emulate today were the same ones women in the 1940s wanted to wear too.
The decade itself saw a wealth of different iconic looks, including Katharine Hepburn’s penchant for high-waisted trousers and typically menswear-inspired tailored pieces, a well as Dior’s New Look, which came in the later part of the decade but forever remained a fashion reference. And there’s much more beyond that. Keep scrolling to look through to take a look at some of our favourite 1940s fashion moments that speak directly to 2018 women.
Style Notes: Yes, there were “naked” dresses in the ’40s, and they were as glamorous as ever, thanks to the likes of Rita Hayworth wearing them.
Style Notes: Katharine Hepburn’s more androgynous look has stayed a fashion inspiration for decades after the actress first stepped into the spotlight.
Style Notes: We’re taking notes on the 1940s way to wear a slip dress—aka with a gauzy, sheer cape top, as seen on Ginger Rogers.
Style Notes: While a shimmery evening gown is chic in any era, Lena Horne’s coordinating head wrap and plenty of sparkle made this ensemble shine even brighter.
Style Notes: Veronica Lake does a not-so-mellow yellow we’d happily wear today. And it’s so Gen Z.
Style Notes: Thanks to Lauren Bacall, a high neckline, a billowy sleeve, wide-leg trousers and mules is still a look we’d go for in 2018.
Style Notes: If the popularity of corset tops are any indication, an hourglass silhouette is still a popular one in fashion right now. One of the OG champions of this look was, of course, Christian Dior’s groundbreaking New Look.
Style Notes: Does this cold-shoulder look resemble your uniform from this past summer? You’re not alone.
Style Notes: Before there were irresistible matching sets from Zara and Reformation, the iconic Doris Day looked adorable in coordinating separates right on the cusp of the ’40s and ’50s.