Collection: Everything 1940s
During the 1940s, life shifted from wartime grit to dance floor glamour.
- Wartime Austerity (1940–1945) Clothes were utilitarian and minimalist due to fabric rationing. Women adopted military-inspired shoulders and knee-length skirts, while Swing Era dancers favored flared A-lines, shirred blouses for reach, and "tap pants" for modesty. Men’s suits became single-breasted and were stripped of non-essentials like vests and cuffs; but, high-waisted, wide-legged trousers remained essential for fancy footwork.
- Post-War Transformation (1947–1949) The "New Look": In 1947, Christian Dior introduced his "New Look," featuring voluminous full skirts and cinched waists - a direct rebellion against prior wartime fabric restrictions.
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Simplicity 2003 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Girls' Separates, Swing Era Kate Hepburn Style High Waisted Trousers, Weskit Vest & Blouse Size 8
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
Simplicity 1996 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Boys' Suit, Retro Swing Era Two Tone Shirt Jacket Shirt, Suspender Shorts & Trousers with Criss Cross Straps Size 5
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
Simplicity 1913 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Retro Suit, Boxy Convertible Collar, Welt Pockets Double Breasted Jacket, Coat, Skirt, Suit Dress Size 14
Regular price $18.99 USDRegular priceSale price $18.99 USD -
Simplicity 1853 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Girls' Coat Set, Fit & Flared, Nipped Waist Jacket, Collar & Cuffs, 2 Styles Size 6
Regular price $16.99 USDRegular priceSale price $16.99 USD -
Simplicity 1783 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Girls' Blouses, Puff or Long Sleeve Back Buttoned Blouse Set, Floral Embroidery Size 6
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
Simplicity 1777 Discontinued 2012 Sewing Pattern 1940s Dresses, Retro Repro Shirred Front WW2 Era Day Dress, Flattering Fit, 2 Styles Size 6 14
Regular price $7.50 USDRegular priceSale price $7.50 USD -
Simplicity 1742 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Lumber Jacket, Pleated Skirt, Jacket Top Blouse Suit, 2 Styles Size 14
Regular price $14.99 USDRegular priceSale price $14.99 USD -
Simplicity 1738 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern WW2 Era Day Dress, Keyhole, Peekaboo Neckline, Tie On Peplum Skirt, 2 Styles Size 15
Regular price $14.99 USDRegular priceSale price $14.99 USD -
Simplicity 1603 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Evening Blouse Set, Faux Wrap Surplice Front, High Neckline Cap Sleeve, 2 Styles for Evening Size 14
Regular price $12.99 USDRegular priceSale price $12.99 USD -
Simplicity 1509 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Boys' Shirts, Nautical Gene Kelley Swing Dance Era Wing Collar Sailor Shirt or Dress Shirt Size 8
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
Simplicity 1477 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Girls' Dress Set, Basque Waist Flared Skirt Party Dress, Long Bridal Party Formal Evening Gown Size 8
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
Simplicity 1340 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Girls' & Boys' Playsuits, Jacket, Simple to Make, Criss Cross Straps Bib Sunsuit, Suspender Shorts Playsuit, Jacket Top Size 2
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
Simplicity 1144 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Slip, Panties, Lingerie Set, Chevron Seamed, Vanity Fair Style, Full Dress Slip, Tap Panties with Side Buttons Size 14
Regular price $34.99 USDRegular priceSale price $34.99 USD -
Mail Order 2441 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Dinner Dress, Basque Waist Evening Dress, Back Buttons, Full Tea Length Skirt Scoop Neckline, 2 Styles Size 12
Regular price $9.99 USDRegular priceSale price $9.99 USD -
McCall's 878 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Girls' Dress Set, Smocking, Puff Sleeve, Tie Back Dress, Embroidery Transfer Size 2
Regular price $16.99 USDRegular priceSale price $16.99 USD -
McCall's 6794 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Kate Hepburn Pants, High Waist Trousers, Slacks Size 28
Regular price $24.99 USDRegular priceSale price $24.99 USD -
McCall's 6716 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Starlet Blouse Set, Balloon Bishop Sleeve Button Front Blouse Set 2 Styles Size 14
Regular price $22.99 USDRegular priceSale price $22.99 USD -
McCall's 6218 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Girls' Pajamas, Retro Modest 2 Piece Pajamas Set, Summer or Winter Short or Long Sleeve Top & Trousers Size 6
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
McCall's 6165 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Boys' Shirt Set, Rockabilly Two Tone Leave it to Beaver Sports or Dress Shirt, Short or Long Sleeves Size 6
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
McCall's 6165 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Boys' Shirt Set, Rockabilly Two Tone Leave it to Beaver Sports or Dress Shirt, Short or Long Sleeves Size 14
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
McCall's 5593 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern WW2 Era Blouses, Front Buttoned Jacket Type Blouse, Top Stitched Vest Size 14
Regular price $9.99 USDRegular priceSale price $9.99 USD -
McCall's 5348 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Girls' Coat, Jacket Set, WW2 Era Double Breasted Pea Coat, Winter Jacket Set Size 10
Regular price $7.50 USDRegular priceSale price $7.50 USD -
McCall's 5266 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Boys' Shirts, Tailored Top Stitched Leave it to Beaver Dress or Sports Shirt Size 8
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
McCall's 5020 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Boys' Pajamas Set, Collared Sleep Shirt Top in 3 Styles, Drawstring Trousers Size 8
Regular price $7.50 USDRegular priceSale price $7.50 USD -
McCall's 4637 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Swing Era Swimsuit, 2 Piece Bikini Bra Top, Flared High Waist Shorts Trunks, Bottoms Size 12
Regular price $42.99 USDRegular priceSale price $42.99 USD -
McCall's 1466 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Toddler Sunsuits, Shaped Bib Front Ruffle Rhumba Bottom Sunsuit, Floral Embroidery Transfer, Flap Brim Sun Bonnet Size 4
Regular price $22.99 USDRegular priceSale price $22.99 USD -
Butterick 3597 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern WW2 Era Dress, Deep Square Armhole, Blouson Top, 7 Gore Skirt, Colorblock 2 Tone Shirtwaist, 2 Styles Size 16
Regular price $18.99 USDRegular priceSale price $18.99 USD -
Butterick 3309 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Girls' Pajamas, Summer or Winter, Shortie PJs Top & Shorts, Blouse & Pants Set or Nightgown Size 8
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
Butterick 3116 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Nightgowns, Mother Hubbard, Farmcore, Long Gown Size 14 NO INSTRUCTIONS
Regular price $7.50 USDRegular priceSale price $7.50 USD -
Butterick 2821 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Dickeys Set, WW2 Swing Era, Side Ties Tuck In Dickey Top Set, 5 Styles Size S
Regular price $25.00 USDRegular priceSale price $25.00 USD -
Advance 5235 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Girls' Dress Set, Puff Sleeve Ruffled Hem Shirtwaist Dress, Weskit Vest Top, Suspender Skirt Size 3
Regular price $5.00 USDRegular priceSale price $5.00 USD -
Advance 5111 Vintage 40's Sewing Pattern Dress Set, New Look, Blouson Bodice, Cinched Midriff, Peplum or Tiered Midi Tea Length Skirt, 2 Styles Size 16
Regular price $22.99 USDRegular priceSale price $22.99 USD