Fabulous 1940s Fall Fashion Inspiration

This year, the fall equinox falls on September 23rd, which means that we're just eight (seven if you don't count the one that we're on) days away from the return of autumn. Yippee!!!

While part of me would love nothing more than to cling to summer's warmth for many, many more months, the seasons will come and go as they please, and I've long learned that it's best to just smile and go along for the ride.

There's no prodding needed to get me to grin up a storm this month though, as I adore autumn to no end and elated that it's upon us once more. As much as I enjoy all of summer's pretty, practical fashions - from straw hats to sundresses, wedge heels to capri pants - there is something deeply comforting about the return of heavier fabrics, warm layers, and longer sleeve and hem lengths, too.

Nearly three years ago now, I debated the pros and cons of dressing for each half of the year in a post called Summer vs Winter Wardrobe, as I felt then that my preference was shifting from fall/winter to spring/summer fashions. Honestly, the more time that goes on though, the greater I adore and just try to make the best of each season's fashions, no matter how far on the extreme side of the thermostat the temperature might be.

Autumn, especially its early weeks, is a particularly lovely time of the year to dress for. We're usually free of heavy snow boots and wool coats, and don't yet risk getting frostbite or hypothermia while outdoors taking outfit photos for our blogs. Yet by the same token, we aren't melting faster than a popsicle dropped on the tarmac in July under the sweltering summer sun any longer either.

Much like its springtime counterpart (late April to early June), these weeks are a glorious time for fashion bloggers and the whole world alike. Just about every vintage wearer out there adores seeing beautiful images of each season's sartorial offerings, so with autumn just a handful of days away from officially beginning and the weathers starting to turn a little nippy again already in many areas, I thought that today would be a great time to share some of my favourite vintage autumn style ideas and images with you guys.

So slip on a cozy cardigan, curl up with a pumpkin spice latte, and let that gorgeously golden mid-September sunlight bath over you as you take a gander at the following selection of 15 fabulous vintage fall fashions, each of which suits the coming season wonderfully well (ditto for winter and early spring).




1. A pert, nipped waist jacket the colour of a frost tinged apple combines with serene shades of beige and brown in this elegant look that graced the cover of the August 1949 edition of Harper's Bazaar magazine. I'd add some gold, brass, or champagne pearl jewelry to mix, myself, and call it a (stylish) day.




2. Neither straw hats nor polkas dots need be reserved strictly for spring and summer, especially when a solid black coat is involved, as this cute meets sophisticated outfit from 1947 does a great job of highlighting.




3. From the streets and fashion houses of Paris that same year, comes this appealing trio of autumn perfect dress, suit, coat, and hat looks - those good sized, classic mid-century handbags aren't too shabby either!




4. From the stylish pocket square to the thoroughly awesome pocket watch on the belt (love that idea!!!) to the dark fox brown hued, over sized pocket adorned dress itself, this is one 1940s fall look that we would all be especially wise to take a styling cue from.




5. Tartan and cold weather go hand-in-hand like Thanksgiving and pumpkin pie. Follow this stylish gal's lead and draw on one of the main colours in your plaid or tartan garments for your accessories. Here she's sporting green, which is utterly gorgeous, but in this case, red would be terrific, too, especially come Christmastime.




6. Rouse your knits from their long summer slumber and put them to work with a classic a-line or circle skirt, as in this great late 40s look that draws its colour palette inspiration from the earth. Extra style bonus points if you use an oversized safety pin for as a fun finishing touch on your ensemble.




7. The seasonal appropriateness of mustard/saffron cannot be overstated on the fall fashion front. Whether you opt for a small hit or a big dose (say a skirt or dress in this warm shade of yellow), it plays superbly with the season's darker tones of brown, rust, grey, camel, black, navy, pumpkin, pine green, burgundy, and red currant, and really deserves to be a part of everyone's autumn wardrobe.




8. Looking for some great fall colour ideas? Search no further than this 1949 Milliken fabric ad, which houses several shades that suit the season to a tee and which combine marvelously with one another to boot.




9. The notion of layering a fall/winter coat over a skirt suit is almost unheard of in today's fashion world, but thankfully us vintage sporting folks know how incredibly chic and sophisticated - not to mention roasty-toasty warm - this timeless look can be. Plus, there's fall's pet colour, mustard, again - and just see how fabulously it works with this dark checkered fabric. Dreamy!




10. Bar none, one of my top five favourite fabrics ever, corduroy is worth loving autumn for alone! Warm, cozy and versatile, this awesome fabric looks amazing in everything from coats (as shown here) to slacks to vests, and is one of the first materials I reach for after Labour Day.




11. No need to completely retire spring worthy pale hues just because September comes a calling. Partner them with darker shades and lush fabrics, such as the deep brown fur, gloves and hat shown here and you've got an fall time worthy vintage look that will turn heads and garner compliments far and wide.




12. Pussy bow blouses and dresses are a smart, practical choice when autumn's winds start blowing again, as they help to keep the chill at bay much like a scarf. For extra warmth, top a look such as this classy red dress with a blazer and/or knit shawl.




13. Colour blocking and cold weather have always gone together wonderfully, and if you happen to have a knit, boucle, or wool crepe dress in two or three blocked hues (such as the super chic one shown here), all the better to help fend off those returning frosty temps. Note also the sheer celery green scarf tucked in around her neck for additional warmth.




14. Take a style note from the make-do-and-mend years of the early 40s and embellish plain, solid coloured separates with lace, crochet, studs, decorative buttons, sequins, rickrack or other fun trims and help ensure your vintage wardrobe looks as pretty as a harvest moon this fall.




15. While I certainly wear hats all year long, like many folks, I tend to sport hair flowers, scarves and snoods more often when summer's heat is out in full force. Now that it's retreating, I'm jumping with joy to don my favourite 1930s, 40s, and 50s hats again, including a couple of new ones that I've acquired this year. Borrow an idea or two for this lovely 1940s image and jazz up your vintage chapeaus with flowers, netting, feathers and anything else your heart desires.

{To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

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Of all the seasonal colour palettes of the year, there is not that I love more - or which I've been told by numerous people over the years works better on me - that of autumn. I've already started to trade out my punchy pinks, purples, turquoises, corals, baby chick yellows, and light blues for earthy shades of amber, moss, oak, forest green, pumpkin, cranberry, slate, eggplant, and marigold, to name but a few.

Likewise, my fall and winter wardrobe is coming out of hibernation. Soon, sturdy leather, suede and velvet bags with replace breezy wicker and cloth options, closed toed shoes will become a must, and tights will take over for bare legs or sheer seamed stockings (when outdoors at least!).

There is a beautiful sense of natural order to this shifting of our seasonal wardrobes and I'm excited to embrace fall's fashion offerings again. Inspired by many different memories, ideas, and sources, very much including the fifteen 1940s autumn fashion images highlighted here today, in the process.

Tell, my dears, are you likewise eager to slip into tweeds, wools, corduroy, and more layers than Greek phyllo pastry once more or do you wish that summer would linger on for another century or so?