I don’t know if you noticed, but ,in the past few years, we’ve been watching some trends from earlier decades such as the 60’s and the 80’s becoming trends of the 21^st century.

Back then I suppose people would think that by 2011 we’d be wearing futuristic clothes, but no, we like jeans too much to replace them with space suits! After all we are still driving cars, not flying them!

This autumn /winter 2011/2012 the 40’s are back! What does that mean exactly? Let us go back in time for a while:

Fashion in the 1940’s was very influenced by the World War II. I don’t want to give you a boring history lesson, I will only share a few things so you can understand why the 40’s is like it is!

Before the war, every year New York fashion designers went to Paris to attend the French fashion shows in Paris, capital of haute couture. After the shows they returned to de US and copied the French designs. When the Germans occupied Paris in 1940, the New York designers couldn’t go there anymore. So, to overcome this, they concentrated on sportswear. And we all know how that turned out! This led to the United States emerging as the sportswear capital of the world. (in Murrayontravel)

After 1940 and until the end of WW2, the production of clothes had several restrictions, because wool and nylon was needed by the military, so fabric had to be rationed and synthetic fabrics developed in the 1930´s became the material most often used for womans clothing.

So, to comply with these restrictions American designers “created a style of suits for women Skirts were short and straight topped by short jackets of twenty-five inches or less in length. Cardigans matched skirts and sheath evening dresses replaced the long flowing gowns of the thirties”. (in -  Murrayontravel)

After the war, women were tired of following these restrictions and were ready for a change.

A new look was introduced by Christian Dior in 1947 with longer and fuller skirts and woman fashion changed to a much more romantic and feminine image, starting to wear a variety of peplums in skirt hems, necklines and waists. A-line skirts topped with soft blouses embellished with bows and puffy sleeves. Full collars and lace were also in vogue. (in -  Murrayontravel)

The new 40’s look gave an hour-glass figure and a new, feminine extravagance denied for so long.

Back to 2011, Gucci, Miuccia Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier, among others, autumn/winter 2011/2012 collection introduced a season full of absolute 40’s glamour.(in- Vogue) So, for all the ladies that love to dress up every day, this is the season for you! Have fun with it