Guns and Glamour of WWII Shaping Modern Fashion

Over time, fashion has evolved significantly. Animal hides were eventually replaced by cloth, and biblical attire like long, colourful robes and headscarves gave way to trousers and shirts. The grand Victorian gowns transformed into skirts and A-line dresses. While heeled boots have remained a classic, newer styles like sneakers and basketball shoes have also become popular.

We can see that clothes change according to wearability and comfort. With the course of history, we can see that wars have in fact influenced how people dress. On a global scale, the most recent war being the Second World War. 

As terrible as war is, it has produced some of the most prominent features of modern day fashion. The intersection of guns and glamour during World War Two, led to a unique fusion of practicality, creativity and high fashion, shaping the course of modern fashion. The war also saw the creation of new and quick materials. It also brought more power to the women workforce, bringing a rise in feminism. 

With the rise of the Axis and Allied powers in 1940-45, men were called to bear their arms on the front lines, fighting for freedom and political regimes. It was during this time, when all the men had gone off to fight, that women had to man the machines in factories and take up more ‘masculine’ jobs during the war. Ladies often went to work in factories that manufacture weapons, munitions, ships and aircrafts, as well as electronics, food and chemicals. They also worked in pharmaceutical establishments. 

The roles that they would often take up included operating drill presses, welding, toolmaking, assembly line workers, inspectors and even riveters. Some prominent companies are Ford Motor Company for manufacturing aircrafts and military vehicles, Boeing for aircraft manufacturing, DuPoint for ammunition and the RCA, the Radio Corporation of America, which handled electronics and communication equipment. These women were often referred to as ‘Rosie the Riveters’ and played a crucial role during the course of the war. Working in factories, the garments that the women wore had to be adapted to the new line of work. They would often wear overalls and pants, which proved to be durable and long lasting for the factory work and wouldn’t snag in the heavy machinery. Shoes were steel toed or boots were worn to protect their feet from heavy objects.

It also became popular for women to tie their hair back; they also used protective hairstyles such as short bobs and ponytails. Short sleeved shirts and blouses were also worn along with headscarves and turbans. These headpieces were used to keep the hair out of the way while working and also proved to be a fashion statement. These clothes were adopted as they were comfortable and durable. It allowed free movement and the clothes wouldn’t get caught in the machinery. 

The women who didn’t work in factories, took up jobs as nurses, intelligence agents and administrators and for the army; they also took up roles of espionage, media propaganda, teaching and travel, as they would often drive buses, taxis and conductor on trains and streetcars. Emergency services like police, firefighters and other emergency response roles were taken up by the ladies. Volunteering work like the Red Cross, Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) are some of the other jobs taken up. 

For these jobs, modest and professional clothing was preferred. With nylon prioritised for parachute production, stockings became scarce, leading to a trend of wearing skirts and dresses without them. Women got creative with makeup, using black lines of lipstick, ink, or shoe polish to mimic the look of stockings. Skirt lengths also shortened due to fabric shortages, as materials were redirected for military supplies.

Therefore in its entirety, some of the impacts of the war on fashion are: 

The introduction of the ‘Utility Chic’ aesthetic, where practicality and comfort became essential leading to the rise of utility clothes for women. The military style of epaulettes, trench coats and combat boots became popular. Womens fashion emphasised femininity and glamour, reflecting the growing independence and empowerment of women. 

The ‘Make-do and Mend’ drive was a development, which led people to repair and repurpose clothing, fostering creativity and resourcefulness, due to supply shortages. The post WW2 style influenced modern clothing aesthetics such as the punk and grunge movement. 

Designers such as Dior and Chanel, boomed post war; since the women were back to being housewives, the need to be ultra feminine was at an all time high. The iconic ‘New Look’ Dior dress, which featured a rounded shoulders, cinched waist and full skirt, sandal heels, headscarf and opera gloves was introduced. 

To counter Dior, Chanel introduced the two piece cardigan set, finished with gloves, pearls, peep toe heels, pillbox hat. Hollywood styles also emerged, with the iconic ‘Wiggle Dress’, paired with t-strap heels, cat eyes sunglasses and a tilted beach hat.

Tiki and Hawaiian patterned dresses were popular for suburban weekend getaways. Post war, teenagers wore poodle skirts and sweaters,and the iconic outfit worn by Sandy from the musical Grease, was also an inspiration during this time. This is how the Second World War influenced modern fashion.

World War II had a lasting impact on fashion, combining practicality with style in ways that continue to influence us today. The need for durable workwear during the war led to styles like “Utility Chic” and introduced military-inspired items like trench coats and combat boots into everyday fashion. As women took on new roles, fashion became both functional and empowering, highlighting their independence. After the war, designers like Dior and Chanel shaped fashion with looks that emphasised elegance and femininity. The blend of resilience and glamour from this era remains in modern fashion, reflecting a time when clothing adapted to new challenges and aspirations.

Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editorial team includes Chubamenla, Asst. Professor, Dept. of English and Rinsit Sareo, Asst. Manager, IT, Media & Communications.

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