Styles in the 1940s and 1950s

During the first five years of the 1940s, World War II raged all over Europe. Although Ireland did not take part in the war, its effects were felt by people all over the country.

There were great shortages of food and clothing. Everybody was issued with a ration book by the government. It contained coupons similar to postage stamps, which people handed in when they were paying for goods.

Fashion reflected the shortages also. In families, the eldest child would wear new clothes and these would be passed on to the younger children as each grew out of that size. Mothers had to mend clothes for re-use, socks were darned, and hems of dresses and trousers altered in order to fit the wearer.

Advertisement Showing a Fitted Dress, 1940s
© Examiner Group and Carlow Nationalist.

In Carlow, as in all other towns in Ireland, the local shops kept pace with the fashions of the time. In this illustration from Haddens, we can see the lady wearing the typical nipped, or pulled-in, waistline of the 1940s dress. Notice the very simple style without collars and cuffs.

This dress shows an economical approach to the use of fabric that was typical of the time. Costumes, which are now called suits, with a slim skirt and tailored jacket were also worn.

Advertisement Showing Women's Slacks, 1950s.

Advertisement taken from the Carlow Nationalist for W. and G. Hadden, Tullow Street, Carlow. The tailored style of this garment shows a modern approach to women's wear, which was just emerging in this period.

© Examiner Group and Carlow Nationalist.

Advertisement Showing Women's Slacks, 1950s.
© Examiner Group and Carlow Nationalist.

Advertisement Showing Women's Slacks, 1950s.

Advertisement taken from the Carlow Nationalist for W. and G. Hadden, Tullow Street, Carlow. The tailored style of this garment shows a modern approach to women's wear, which was just emerging in this period.

© Examiner Group and Carlow Nationalist.

Enlarge image

Later, tailored slacks provided an alternative for leisure wear, as this advertisement for Hadden's store shows.

Though it is hard to believe now, it was not common for women to wear trousers for work or special occasions until the 1960s.

Advertisement Showing Men's Overcoats, 1950s
© Examiner Group and Carlow Nationalist.

In the 1940s and into the 1950s, men wore belted overcoats made of sturdy cloth. A 'Crombie' overcoat was considered the best available. Tweed and gabardine were also popular.

Mac's menswear shop in Tullow Street advertised their range of overcoats by referring to the fabrics used. Notice that the men also wore soft brimmed hats and leather gloves.