In the 1940's, woman's fashion became more military because of the second world war. The padded shoulders on their dresses were more masculine, but also created a certain shape that was considered desirable. The broad shoulders highlighted the tight waist band, making the figure an 'hourglass' shape.
Because of the war, there was a shortage of fabric. Strict fabric rationing meant that dresses had to be made shorter, becoming knee length, as appose to down to the calf, which was how they were in the 1930's.
The neck lines on these dresses revealed very little skin. They were modest, with no cleavage. They were often a 'v' or cross front neckline and a lot of the dresses would have collars.
Before the war fabric choice was very limited and dresses often had to be plain, dull colours. However in the second half of the 40's, more varied, colourful and patterned fabrics became available. After the hardship of the war, women embraced being able to dress in more exciting clothes.
Plus size fashion became more prominent than it had ever done before. A lot of the dresses didn't suit women who didn't have the ideal 'hour glass' figure, so departments stores created a 'Stout' clothing line, which included clothes more faltering to a fuller figure.
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