In 1940 Britain silk stockings were in short supply. So to take their place different brands of leg make-up appeared on the market and women resorted to drawing seams with eyebrow pencil down the back of each leg to give the appearance of wearing stockings.
The fashion was for short skirts, sensible ‘flat heeled’ shoes and square shouldered jackets that recalled the cut of uniforms – these were the basic features of the wartime ‘Utility fashions’. But soon women of Britain were asked to help with the war. Short skirts were out and trousers or dungarees were in and a scarf was tied around the head to protect against the risk of hair getting caught in the machines.
The government then tried to encourage everyone to make do and mend the clothes they already had. Lots of tips were available on how to revamp old clothes in Women;s magazines. Some of the ideas were to convert heavy blankets into fashionable coats and unpicking old jumpers to convert to new ones was the order of the day.
There were even knitting patterns for slippers, socks and jumpers, all of which are coming back into fashion again at the moment. Even sewing patterns were available free inside women’s magazine. Anything and everything to encourage women to ‘make do’.
http://www.1940.co.uk/history/article/fashion/fashion.htm
Crafted By B Studio 