The Little Black Dress and Zoot Suits: Depression and Wartime Fashions from the 1930s to the 1950s (Dressing a Nation: The History of U.S. Fashion)

What would you have worn if you lived during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s? It depends on who you were! For 1930s high fashion, nothing beat Coco Chanel's women's suit―a slim, straight skirt with a matching boxy jacket. And for a classy evening, men donned black tuxedos and velvet smoking jackets. Read more about depression era and wartime fashions―from the form-fitting little black dress to polo shirts, stylish snoods, and chic chignons―in this fascinating book!

Most American women in the depression era made their own daywear, including printed floral dresses and slim skirts and blouses. In wartime the government rationed fabrics, so women often remade men's suits into simple outfits.

For 1930s high fashion, nothing beat Coco Chanel's women's suit-a slim, straight skirt with a matching boxy jacket.

For a classy evening, men donned black tuxedos and velvet smoking jackets.

Casual wartime fashions brought the colorful Hawaiian shirt and khaki trousers into men's closets. Sailor suits also became popular for men.

Latino and African American men brought the oversized zoot suit into the mainstream for men of the 1940s.

The 1950s saw a shocking development-the two-piece, navel-exposing bikini for women and swimming trunks for men!

In the postwar boom era, young men either went tough-rolled up jeans, white t-shirts, and leather boots and jackets-or preppy- a sweater vest and sport coat over casual trousers.

And young bobby soxer girls of the 1950s couldn't go wrong with white ankle socks, a pink poodle skirt, and matching sweater set.

Read more about depression era and wartime fashions- from the form-fitting little black dress to polo shirts, stylish snoods, and chic chignons-in this fascinating book!

What would you have worn if you lived during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s? It depends on who you were: -Most American women in the depression era made their own daywear, including printed floral dresses and slim skirts and blouses. In wartime the government rationed fabrics, so women often remade men's suits into simple outfits. -For 1930s high fashion, nothing beat Coco Chanel's women's suit--a slim, straight skirt with a matching boxy jacket. -For a classy evening, men donned black tuxedos and velvet smoking jackets. -Casual wartime fashions brought the colorful Hawaiian shirt and khaki trousers into men's closets. Sailor suits also became popular for men. -Latino and African American men brought the oversized zoot suit into the mainstream for men of the 1940s. -The 1950s saw a shocking development--the two-piece, navel-exposing bikini for women and swimming trunks for men! -In the postwar boom era, young men either went tough--rolled up jeans, white t-shirts, and leather boots and jackets--or preppy--a sweater vest and sport coat over casual trousers. -And young bobby soxer girls of the 1950s couldn't go wrong with white ankle socks, a pink poodle skirt, and matching sweater set. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Chapter One Women's Everyday Wear Chapter Two Women's Haute Couture Chapter Three Men's Clothing Chapter Four Hairstyles And Accessories Chapter Five Designers, Photographers, And Models Epilogue Timeline Glossary Source Notes Selected Bibliography Further Reading, Websites, And Films Index About The Author/Photo Acknowledgments Back Cover Profiles American fashion between the 1930s and 1950s, highlighting the trends that were most popular during these years. Discusses how political and societal issues of the era influenced clothing styles and manufacturing and features black-and-white photographs throughout Illustrations, photographs, and text describe the fashion trends of the United States from the 1930s to the 1950s, with information on styles, designers, manufacturing, materials, and other related topics Morning, noon, and night The height of style From the street to the stars The long and the short of it From head to toe Grab your coat and get your hat From idea to image.