| As the Great Depression came to an end and | | | | Flamboyant Neckties |
| World War II was descending onto the globe, the | | | | Men's ties of the 1940s were something to be |
| 1940s became cemented in human history as a | | | | seen! Hand-painted shaped silk neckties were all |
| pivotal decade. This time period brought on a | | | | the rage and were made to appeal to every |
| dramatic shift in men's fashion. In fact, some | | | | taste and style. The designs ranged from |
| people consider the 1940s as one last great | | | | elegant to quite exotic and borderline strange for |
| hurrah in the elegance and style of men's | | | | the time. It was not shocking to see brightly |
| fashion. | | | | colored geometric designs or even pin-up girls |
| Influence of World War II | | | | painted onto neckwear. They were secured with |
| Because World War II was taking its toll on | | | | equally flamboyant tie pins and clips. Neckties |
| Europe in the early 1940s, Italy and Paris were no | | | | became a personality-defining accessory that |
| longer the fashion leaders. It was during this | | | | many men took advantage of. |
| time that strict rationing was the norm in many | | | | Men who chose not to wear the more |
| places, including the United Kingdom and the United | | | | flamboyant neckwear opted for solid colors of |
| States, which meant that fashion designers had | | | | red, blue, or white stripes. Regardless of pattern |
| plenty of challenges when it came to making | | | | or color, neckties were quite wide and fairly |
| clothes. Fashion quickly became more about | | | | short. However, all of them were worn mostly |
| substance and functionality than style. | | | | in Windsor knots. |
| During the early 1940s men's fashion was to be | | | | Accessories that Make the Man |
| transformed forever. In wartime, natural fibers | | | | It was during this time that accessories began to |
| were reserved for uniforms and military wear. | | | | really make the man. Aside from ties, hats and |
| Practical, sturdy clothing became the norm. It | | | | shoes became quite influential. It was during this |
| was during this time that men's suits actually lost | | | | decade that the wide-brimmed fedora made its |
| the vests, pocket flaps, and trouser cuffs to | | | | mark on history. The shoe of choice quickly |
| conserve material. At the end of the war, men's | | | | became the wingtip, reminiscent of the 1930s |
| fashion changed again, and perhaps became one | | | | with one sure difference - two tone designs. |
| of the most iconic periods in recent history. | | | | However, black patent leather dress shoes also |
| Swing Era in Full Swing | | | | became quite popular. Other popular accessories |
| In the mid-1940s, the Swing Era boomed onto the | | | | for men in the 1940s included good cufflinks and |
| scene and so did the Zoot suit. Designers began | | | | tricked out suspenders. Suspenders are a direct |
| to create more stylish outfits meaning that men's | | | | throwback to wartime when all the leather went |
| suits were full-cut again. The double-breasted | | | | to the military rather than to the public for |
| suit, wider trousers, and oversized longer jackets | | | | belts. |
| quickly became in vogue. The pants were | | | | Conclusion |
| particularly different from decades past with low | | | | Though the decades leading into the 1940s were |
| crotches, high waists, and narrow ankles. | | | | quite desperate, men's fashion became more |
| Additionally, shirts and coats began to be made in | | | | exciting, flattering, and opulent during this time. |
| a full range of vibrant colors including peach, | | | | We often think back on men's fashion and the |
| blue-grey, cedar, and putty. This exciting change | | | | daring styles remind us of swing-dancing and |
| also influenced the neckties, which were | | | | gangsters. |
| previously traditional and almost boring. | | | | |