In fashion, trends come and go. The old is seemingly always replaced by the new. One fad taking the fashion world by storm right now is Barbiecore. This trend that is all about embracing your inner Barbie and empowers women to unapologetically express themselves through clothing. Stepping away from the hot pink fashion trends of today, let's jump back in time to World War II, where women's fashion again evolved, but in a much more drastic way. What exactly did WW2 women's fashion look like? What was fashion like before World War II? Do we see these influences today? Read on to uncover the answers. Related read: C'mon Military Barbie, Let's Go to War!

Trends Prior to Women's Fashion in the 1940s

Before we can discuss what fashion was like during and after World War II, one must understand what fashion for women was like before World War II. In the 1910s, women’s fashion started to become less restrictive, allowing for more movement. Even though corsets were used during this time, they were far less body conforming, and extended down to the hips rather than stopping slightly below the waist. Departing from the floor-length ballgown, hemming dresses at the ankle was once again popular. Large, wide-brimmed, decorative hats were trending, and women commonly wore boots and high heels.When the 1920s arrived, flapper dresses became all the rage. These shorter dresses featured a dropped waist and hemmed skirts. Gone were the days of the corset, and the era of a more boxier silhouette began. Tennis also became a popular sport, which led to an increase in breathable fabrics and shorter skirts. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the founder of the French luxury brand, Chanel, introduced many pieces of fashion that we still see today: costume jewelry, the little black dress, jersey dresses, and the Chanel suit. Though Chanel didn’t invent trousers or nautical tops, she helped introduce them into the world of women’s fashion, allowing women to start incorporating what men wore into their everyday lives. The 1930s saw the stock market crash, and the return of more feminine looks. The boxy silhouette of the 20s was quickly a thing of the past. Fashion in the 30s was all about the elegant, flattering, and body-skimming silhouette. Figure-hugging dresses were now made out of satin, and hemlines reverted to ankle-length rather than knee-length. During the war, women's fashion evolved dramatically. Check out these WW2 women's fashion trends.Suggested read: The Uproar of Team Lioness: How Taylor Sheridan's Show Got it Wrong

WW2 Women's Fashion Trends

Even though World War II was a difficult time for everyone, fashion never faltered; rather it persisted through difficult times. With the fashion industry introducing floral and polka dot patterns, women began to have more options available to them. It also became acceptable for women to wear slacks, as they were starting to work in power plants, factories, and laboratories during the war. During WW2, women's fashion trends included: blouses, jackets, and even shoulder pads. Inspiring trendy headscarves and hat designs, military army berets entered into the fashion scene as decorative takes on a functional aesthetic.World War II also came with the problem of rationing, and it affected all industries, not just consumables. Clothing manufacturers and shops began reserving previously popular clothing material, such as wool and silk, for parachutes. As a result, rayon and viscose became popular fabrics to construct clothing out of. Additionally, to conserve fabric, the bikini was invented. Shorter skirts also came into in vogue due to this, along with slimmer silhouettes.

Fashion's Evolution After WW2

At the end of the war, it was no longer a requirement, nor a necessity, for women to dress up as formally as they once did. World War II dramatically changed the way that women dressed, and this is especially true of working women. After WW2, women's fashion no longer required the donning of dresses, and even the ponytail became a popular hairstyle. Even though the wealthy upper classes still wore gowns and dresses made popular by Christian Dior, the working class woman had their own style. Floral patterns and jumpsuits also became popular for women. All of the changes in the industry and the effects of resource scarcity during the war created new dynamics and styles that bloomed from WW2 women's fashion and flourished into a lineage that we can still see clearly today.Read next: These 5 Concealed Carry Purses Offer Fashionable, Tactical Protection