The Old House Museum threw a forties fashion party on a wet Saturday afternoon. Tea, cakes and lots of hats to try on all added to the fun and the photo opportunities.
Anita, the museum manager, looked fantastic in a fabulous floral frock.
There were one or two land girls and other visitors who had dressed for the occasion. Sadly there were no siren suits, the forties version of the onesie!
Forties fashion is interesting for a variety of reasons. The Museum's own collection reflects mid 19th through to early 20th century styles. The forties clothes were still being worn when the Museum first opened its doors in the 1950s!
War time and rationing had a big impact on fashion. Restrictions on material and trimmings created a simpler Utility style, with a military cut to jackets and suits. Make do and mend was the order of the day.
Paris was occupied and the fashion world looked to the USA for ideas. Sportswear started to have an influence on design, still important today and Hollywood glamour took a back seat.
British designers were allowed to export couture designs. One of the visitors on Saturday wore an amazing outfit, with a dramatic fitted black coat, a stunning hat and a wonderful lemon yellow suit. The suit could have been designed for the American market with its vibrant colour.
The coat has a label sewn into the lining, and my research tells me that this was the luxury export Utility label. It certainly looked a million dollars!
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