1930s and 1940s Costumes and Accessories

1930s and 1940s Fashion Costumes, Dresses and More!

The 30s and 40s were not a time to celebrate, with the Great Depression causing mass unemployment and poverty and the outbreak of World War 2 in 1939. Nevertheless, we are endlessly intrigued with 1930s women’s fashion, 1940s dresses, 1940s men's fashion and finding the perfect fancy dress ideas for decade themed costume parties. [more]

Do you need to find a 1930s womens costume that looks true to the era? At Heaven Costumes you’ll find a wonderful selection of costumes depicting 1930s and 1940s women’s fashion from Army officer 1940s costumes in tailored Victory Suit styles reminiscent of the 40s, to sexy pin-up sailor 1930s costumes, War time officers, farming Land Girl 30s costumes and the famous 1930s Rosie the Riveter outfits of workwear overalls and jeans. 1930s costumes for women also include Air Force Captains plus historically famous Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic but who disappeared in 1937 whilst attempting to fly all the way around the world!

1930s and 1940s women’s fashion ideas can all be accentuated with gorgeous 30s and 40s costume wigs that feature Victory Rolls and Finger Wave hairstyles to make your look as authentic as possible.

1940s dresses had a great focus on the shoulder area with puffy sleeves and shoulder pads (which men also wore!) as well as belts to accentuate and flatter the waistline. The 30s and 1940s women’s fashion made it ok to wear trousers, so high waisted, wide leg trousers with high tailored waist lines were also popular and apparently very comfortable!

1940s dresses varied from a reversible ‘house dress’ style known as a Hooverette, all the way to Hollywood evening gowns with plunging backs and accessorised with furs; a 1940s or 1930s costume idea you would choose to dress up as someone famous like Katharine Hepburn or other 40s Hollywood movie stars of the time.

1930s and 1940s fashion was largely stalled by rations during the War, and people were often seen just wearing ‘Utility’ dresses and military uniforms on a daily basis, which in the modern age very much represents the 30s and 1940s costumes available to choose from.

Unless you’re dressing up as infamous gangsters such as Al Capone or Bonnie and Clyde, or heading off to a decades party based on TV show characters including the 3 Stooges, Tarzan, Charlie Chaplin and Sherlock Holmes, or keeping within a 40s Hollywood theme by disguising yourself a mens costume as Fred Astaire, Joan Crawford or the adorable Shirley Temple….. your 1930s costume ideas are likely to revolve around vintage patterned suits such as plaids and checks, military army soldier uniforms and for the men….. probably a bunch of tweed!

1940s mens fashion did not take off into the world of Lycra at the introduction of Superman and Batman in the late 30s. It did however give us plenty of 1940s costume ideas that involve two-tone shoes, knitted vests and suspenders.

Famous movies made in the era which are ideal for basing your 1940s costume on are the classics Gone with the Wind and the Wizard of Oz.

Your 1940s dresses, 1930s mens fashion and fancy dress costumes can all be accessorised with stately jewellery, cloche hats, gloves and short wigs for the women, plus suave fedora hats for men which stood the time of the preceding decade and kept up appearances in the 30s and 40s.