Wearable Trends: 1940s Vintage-Inspired Dresses

Do you ever reminisce about a time when women’s fashion was feminine and demure but still exuded sexiness? These days, women have so many options: shorts, pants, skirts, t-shirts, sweaters, oxford shirts and the list continues. Yet, sometimes it can be refreshing to revisit a simpler time when a feminine silhouette dominated and dressing down didn’t mean your favorite distressed weekend jeans. This time around I want to talk about the chic silhouettes of 1940s vintage-inspired dresses.

1940s Vintage Dress Trend

So, I know this sounds like a very particular wearable trend, however if you’ve been peeking at the pre-fall runways, you’ll see this style of dress will be prominent and is already trickling into the closets of some celebrities and fashion innovators. Fashion houses like Chanel are taking us back to this silhouette, in what feels like a celebration of women embracing their sensuality without having to show skin.

This silhouette features a modest neckline (nothing too flashy) that showcases a plethora of different features from a small ruffle to a button front opening, a cinched-in waist, and a midi length A-line skirt (or straight pencil skirt). Many of these dresses are made from fabrics like silk and lace in order to flow along the natural lines of the body to create and promote movement. Beautiful details like oversized buttons, ruffles, floral embroidery and lace are being debuted on many of the styles from prominent designers and even trickling down to more affordable bridge brands.

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How To Wear 1940s Vintage-Inspired Dresses

The way to go to keep this trend exciting within your wardrobe is to opt for bold colors, fun prints or texture. Re-create a look directly from the era with this Ralph Lauren Collection polka dot dress or give it a little twist with this sexy, sheer Tadashi Shoji lace dress. I personally think this style goes best with a classic pump, but you can mix it up with an espadrille or keep it comfortable with a simple ballet flat. If you’re fully committed to the1940’s vintage-inspired dresses trend, grab a shrunken cardigan sweater for those chilly summer evenings or chilly days in the office.

Get The Look

Pictured Above (Clockwise from left):

Ralph Lauren Collection Mariella Polka-Dot Short-Sleeve Midi Dress, $2,290

Chanel Resort 2017

Rooney Mara in Dior at Cannes 2017

DKNY Short Sleeve Mockneck Sheath Dress, $249

Tadashi Shoji Lace Tea-Length Dress, $508

Dolce & Gabana Georgette-trimmed Crepe Midi Dress, $2675

Mod Cloth Studied Up on Style A-Line Dress, $64.99

– Carmen Turner

BTW read How To Pull Off Festival Fashion and the Graphic Prints Trend.

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Image Layout: Fountain Of 30

A collage of 1940's vintage inspired dresses.

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