What Men REALLY Wore in the 1940s

What Men REALLY Wore in the 1940s

Movies and TV shows may depict characters in 1940s fashions, but are they period accurate? Let’s examine true 1940s style! https://gentl.mn/what-men-wore-1940s

#1940sfashion #menswear #notsponsored

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VIDEO CREDITS:
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→ Paramount Pictures
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IMAGE CREDIT:
→ National WWII Museum

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00:00 1940s Menswear Introduction

In the first half of the 1940s WW2 was raging and even after the war ended in 1945 the effects of such a mighty and tragic world event were still being felt.

In decades past high fashion had always been for the wealthy, for the aristocrats. They were looked up to, people aspired to be them. But not anymore. With warfare bringing the classes together on the battlefield the culture had shifted and the status of the aristocrat was dying.

And as one might expect in the war period, one’s clothing also spoke volumes about one’s patriotism! Therefore in much of this video we will be talking about how rationing and military styles affected and influenced men’s fashion in the 1940s.

01:54 Hats
03:04 Hairstyles and Facial Hair
03:55 Eyewear
05:39 Shirts
08:49 Neckwear
10:26 Waistcoats
11:22 Suits & Odd Jakcets
15:42 Trousers (& Zoot Suits)
18:22 Footwear
20:09 Accessories

You can see that a lot of what was worn in the 1940s could be recognized as far more modern than previous decades. The 1940s was an era hard hit with war, austerity, and rationing and this greatly affected what could be worn. Many people were mix-matching their clothes, others were wearing old clothes to save money,

The 1940s made wearing simple open, soft shirts and comfortable slacks mainstream. Of course, this is an incredibly interesting decade. And we would love to explore more of the obscure garments, interesting fads, and eccentricities of this era in future videos.

So if you’d like to see us cover more on Zoot Suits, workwear or the Cowboy fashions worn in the 1940s, or other historical fashion fads for that matter, please us know in the comments below!

22:21 Outfit Rundown

50 Comments

  1. Elad on July 18, 2022 at 12:28 am

    Is there any chance to see a video about youth cultures styles of the 50s and 60s?

  2. Retro Nightmare on July 18, 2022 at 12:29 am

    I’d absolutely love to dress like this but I run into a few problems. One, I live in a very small town with less than 1,000 people and we don’t have many stores to browse in. Two, I’m a woman and it’s very hard to compare sizes. I love men’s fashion and have always been more of a tom boy. I use to wear button ups and ties back in middle and high school. Now it’s just a graphic tee and jeans.

  3. Andres Borjas on July 18, 2022 at 12:30 am

    Great video! Very informative!

    Can’t wait to see Gentleman’s Gazette video on the Zoot Suits!

  4. Steven raz on July 18, 2022 at 12:31 am

    They wore Military uniform or a yellow Star of David.

  5. macreal65 on July 18, 2022 at 12:33 am

    I love the fashion of that era, even casual wear was far better than what we see today. The suits, jackets, shirts and trousers was so masterfully designed. The suits I see men wearing today are so I’ll fitted and always a size to small. You couldn’t pay me to wear on of those slim-fit suits. I really hate them.

  6. slimphotog on July 18, 2022 at 12:34 am

    19:26 Is there a Chuck Taylor video? When Gentleman’s Gazette says it’s OK to wear them to the office, I’m wearing a different pair of mine to work every day. 🙂

  7. Blaze L on July 18, 2022 at 12:35 am

    I would love to see 50s at some point.

  8. Tyler Rios on July 18, 2022 at 12:35 am

    Can not wait for what men REALLY wore in the 1950s

  9. Gary Ormond on July 18, 2022 at 12:36 am

    Interesting video. Can you answer a few questions please? What decade did denim become a common menswear item; in particular jeans & shirts? Also, how about patterned flannel shirts? (lumberjacks?) Finally, what were the men’s wallet styles in the 1940s please?

  10. Christopher Scearce on July 18, 2022 at 12:38 am

    I’m interested in knowing what the average blue-collar man would wear on the job in the 1940s era. Not the suit, of course, but I’m guessing black or brown work shoes or boots, pleated pants, and double breasted button down shirt with or without tie (depending on the type of work). Say, from the factory worker to the gas station attendant. Wonderful channel. Thank you, sirs!

  11. Guilherme Lacerda on July 18, 2022 at 12:42 am

    Looking forward to watch the 50’s video. Great job on this one!

  12. Marshallemmet on July 18, 2022 at 12:43 am

    Forties "Winter Wear" is simply wonderful! I will definitely take a page from the forties for colder weather.

  13. Frank Martinez on July 18, 2022 at 12:44 am

    Don’t tell my rockabilly friends, I like the 40’s, more than the 50’s!

  14. Adrian Saavedra on July 18, 2022 at 12:46 am

    I have a few genuine 1940’s suits as I’m an avid vintage enthusiast. By far, they are my favorite pieces of my wardrobe.

  15. Iain McClure on July 18, 2022 at 12:46 am

    My grandfather mostly wore battle dress in the 1940s.

  16. Peter Goossens on July 18, 2022 at 12:47 am

    maybe for this series just skip the 1970’s all together.

  17. Anonymous Person on July 18, 2022 at 12:48 am

    Could you guys do a video on Norfolk and safari jackets?

  18. Jered Hunter on July 18, 2022 at 12:49 am

    I’m looking to purchase a new garment that is in a 1940’s style with high trousers, etc. I’m pretty short for a grown man so finding something truly vintage hasn’t been an option as of late. The few things that I’ve seen that fit were either in bad condition or weren’t something I liked. Does anyone have any recommendation for modern companies that make vintage wear? I’m going for a 1940’s vibe in my next suit.

  19. Rowan Ritar on July 18, 2022 at 12:50 am

    Zoot suits are disgusting

  20. Follower of Loki on July 18, 2022 at 12:50 am

    Id really like to dress this way, however, there are many things making that difficult.
    1. I find it impossible to avoid getting dirty
    2. I find it hard to not become overheated
    In the warmer months
    3. Lack of mobility. (I cannot do anything that requires bending stretching ect)
    4. Keeping shoes looking good.
    How to solve these problems?

  21. Alexander Mulholland on July 18, 2022 at 12:50 am

    Whenever I see zoot suits I’m always reminded of that episode of Tom and Jerry, when Tom wore one

  22. Pedro G on July 18, 2022 at 12:53 am

    I can’t wait to see the zoot suit video i hope its soon

  23. Fortress Fighter on July 18, 2022 at 12:54 am

    Thank you thank you thank you the gentleman’s gazette gods have blessed

  24. Patrick T Wise on July 18, 2022 at 12:55 am

    I’m really looking forward to the 1950s video as that’s my favorite American decade.

  25. Thomas Bunker on July 18, 2022 at 12:55 am

    Germany had sick style in the 40s

  26. A on July 18, 2022 at 12:56 am

    I actually love these types of historical videos. Well documented and educational and I can tell a lot of research has been done.

  27. Tommy Martinez on July 18, 2022 at 12:56 am

    seeing that one of the hosts wears prescriptions just as many of us, So I’m hoping perhaps a video might be in order for looking for older more timeless glasses

  28. Shinobi-No-Bueno on July 18, 2022 at 12:57 am

    I’ve always been curious about shield front shirts. Could you delve into pre world war American styles?

  29. Pilot Christoph "357" Sanchez on July 18, 2022 at 12:58 am

    Very informative, Sir. Thank You.

  30. Misterrorschach on July 18, 2022 at 1:02 am

    Did these rules apply to the upper elite? Could the aristocracy get a double breasted 100% wool suit with all the pleats, folds, and flaps? What about someone like the president of the United States? Celebrities? Oil tycoons? I just can’t imagine that a ban like that effected anyone but the lower class.

  31. FightFair LoseEasy on July 18, 2022 at 1:02 am

    What about overcoats?

  32. MarceBeLez on July 18, 2022 at 1:02 am

    Thanks at this video now I know what kind of shirt I want 😀

  33. Random User on July 18, 2022 at 1:06 am

    40’s-50’s are the best decade for fashion IMO.

  34. Bruno Njezic on July 18, 2022 at 1:08 am

    I would love expanded series of this. This is great video !

  35. Bloo Eagle on July 18, 2022 at 1:08 am

    8:05

    That is DEFINITELY a riff off of the Dress Blue Deltas/Service Charlies (Chucks) of the Marines. I have mine in my closet right now and it looks identical

  36. that guy on July 18, 2022 at 1:08 am

    Definitely the style for me

  37. Pavel on July 18, 2022 at 1:11 am

    It would be very cool to compare zoot suits and classic boxy cut to modern oversized classic menswear

  38. Johanna Häyhtiö on July 18, 2022 at 1:12 am

    I’m a 52 year old woman who loves your channel, classic menswear is so cool and I love Zoot suits 😍

  39. Monty Bynum on July 18, 2022 at 1:12 am

    At some point can you guys do a 1900s and expand all the way through the 1800s and 1700s

  40. Adrian Leman on July 18, 2022 at 1:13 am

    Those 1940s collars would catch fire,if you were smoking a pipe ect.

  41. Tom Lehr on July 18, 2022 at 1:13 am

    I was born in the wrong decade

  42. Vasil Stefanov on July 18, 2022 at 1:13 am

    They wore combat gear

  43. Gordon Ayres on July 18, 2022 at 1:14 am

    Excellent overview. I wear a lot of these clothes. This is me to the left on a ship a few years back.

  44. FlyingRazzo on July 18, 2022 at 1:14 am

    I need a whole video dedicated to Zoot suit style!

  45. L.S.69.1917 on July 18, 2022 at 1:16 am

    Dear Sirs, I am hoping you can guide me to a 1940s apparel place of business. I have an upcoming event January 30th 2022. The host asked that we come attired in the apparel of 40s decade. This is a formal event leaning toward "high brow" if you will. So I am wanting to wear a suit that exemplifies the era yet that has some pizzazz! I want to be a bit of a stand out if you will. I get that the era was more muted due to the war effort yet surely there were those that engaged in flashier apparel for a given special event. I am hoping you can give me a lead to where I can find a suit and all the apparel therein ie: Fedora, gloves, belt or suspenders depending on the pant suit, tie, pocket square, and shoes with socks. Time is drawing near.I ask if you can help please lead me to where i can find these items..

  46. D Bo on July 18, 2022 at 1:20 am

    As a man born in 1980, I have always been enamored with the elegant dressware of men from the 1940’s and earlier. The time, passion and effort to look their best, is something, I truly believe is sorely lacking in todays mens fashion. I wish we could go back to a time, We’re Men actually took effort in putting their look together. For reasons I cannot understand today, my kids generation refuse to get dressed going to school. Rather they want to go to school wearing shorts or jogging pants. There is no desire, need or want to look good anymore. Very sad state we are in, where rustic, "dirty" takes place of, Chic and elegant

  47. MrViking2 McAll on July 18, 2022 at 1:21 am

    As a young man creating and writing up a dieselpunk worldbuilding project, your videos have been so invaluable! I was almost lost before them on the topic of men’s fashion from the period!

    Now I just have to try and guess how interwar fashion would be influenced if Bauhaus minimalism took over instead of Art Deco as the trendy style…

  48. p g on July 18, 2022 at 1:22 am

    4:20 dipadubadumm

  49. Jörg Sannwald on July 18, 2022 at 1:22 am

    That’s again a wonderful Video.
    I can recoment Aaron White’s Channel as a addition to the Gentlemen’s Gazette.
    I think if you have subscribed to both channels, you have alot of knowledge about mens wear from back than, brought to you in a wise somebody who knew only near to nothing like me can understand it verry easy.
    Thank you Gentlemen.

  50. Panos Fasoul on July 18, 2022 at 1:26 am

    Fun fact, a lot of the boots shown in the pictures and a lot of them sold on the shoe store picture are actually military issue US Service boots. They started to be replaced in 43 with the lower quality "rough outs". Service boots where of excellent quality for army issue at the time, and I say that having worn a lot of old military boots, and soldiers often kept and worn them as civilians when they returned.

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