Because men looked pretty good in the forties, too.

bde06daa7ca3510b42adc7c9fdea5a9fOr maybe I’ve just always been a fan of James Stewart.

When I put together last weeks post, I started running into men’s fashions as well, and almost included a few at the end. Then I decided they deserved their own page, so here it is. from the bottom to the top.

Because men knew how to wear shoes back then and could have competed with their wives for closet space if so desired:

 index1940s-mens-oxfords

I must admit these just make me smile.

Perfect when suits are still in style:

menswear

And cigarettes are still healthy (ah, ignorance is bliss).

But note what he hangs over his arm. Never leave home without it!

b307f2b02a772804e792a5efef0853b6

Or the hat.

533f116afaabb83d4c3b4fbba76b685e  149451-217x325-40s-style2

You have to admit it looks a lot better than the usual ball cap commonly seen now. I give permission for men to bring this look back.

This one you have permission not to bring back, though these still lurk:

1944-mens-ties-colorful-patriotic-sears 1944-mens-ties-01

Though I guess the almost solid colors in the middle aren’t too bad.

And you could hide it under a sweater:

bestwayA2604a

Or a leather jacket. Timeless!

1942-mens-sheepskin-jacket-01

Now all you have left to do is style your hair just right.

aba5067645c69c7c3d231e5ee171fefa

So you can look like:

images

A sure way to impress the ladies!

Looking good in the 1940s!

ba723d976767c8f9426d7323f78f2130

For this week’s blog I thought a visual ensemble might be fun. This month I have been neck deep in the late forties as I write the third book in a post World War Two series I’ve been working on. I have easily come to the conclusion that they had a great sense of style back then.

082c73d520fd2fd388e06c6b5d571553

Yes, I am fighting with that commandment “Thou shalt not covet.” Here’s a glimpse at some of the dresses I’ve been picking out for my heroine and her sister:

9263701680e55a614116c7504618372f

I love this one and chose it for the heroine’s sister to wear to her prom. I love the lace bodice.

09680f4faa670fa300987e62b2b20d3f

My hubby likes the cut of this one.

d69c70cf0f19bc66f5379301c385efbf

I like the color on this one, as does the heroine. Unfortunately she can’t wear it as she’s a strawberry blond.

abc8b8245b604e9ea797d9089647281b

Perfect for the summer.

dfdfbfdafe3538ca23de6ad39a0cd2cc

Yep, coveting again. This is her favorite dress.

 

 

Now for the hair. You have to love those victory curls!

3ae3b70d1ef964a823b290a019a41c4f

Perfect for the big town dance when the boys start coming home from Europe. Especially if you’re going with the fiance you haven’t seen in four years.

9cb97c7013859ecd9d8d80189a2e8bab

And then the look to convince everyone in town that you’re completely over him.

And for all those days in between:

 a90c7806d121d2c270e517d09ea40924 LaurenBacall6 Lauren_-Bacall

I think the most painful part of my research is the price point for all of this:

0cee3d5e6fd51677b64a7478f6d8ddeaI think it’s time to stock up on dresses!

949903755105f60d59c888ac5c1348aa