Forum > WWII Civilian Area
Rationing and general men's fashion trends
adam:
So I've been trying to dig up as much information as possible on men's fashion in the 1940's. Most of what I've found so far pertains to the US and Great Britian. How was fashion in Continental Europe affected by rationing? Was it similar, or something completely different? Was knitting as popular as in Great Britian? I know it's a lot of questions, but, so far, what I've found on the internet has been of little help. I know there's got to be someone on here who's at least looked into the subject.
Philonivs Maximvs:
This is something to try to ask the older people over there.... perhaps if one of the Fallschirmjaeger veterans' wives is along when I go there in May, I can ask. I too have looked on the web and can't find much. I am left to assume that they rationed things quite heavily, and homemade & recycled or heavily-repaired items were the only option at times.
daniels:
Hey adam try the Fredora Lounge, thier are several europeans on the site and others who love the 40's and 30's era clothes. kinda have to say that a 40's era suit has all ways looked sharp.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/index.php (here is the link) hope that helps.
adam:
daniels, thanks, I'll have to look there.
Phil, yeah, most of what I've found on rationing has either been strictly US or British info, or only mentioned in passing when refering to continental Europe. One thing that I did find (that I really wish the writer had backed up a little more) was a reference to subversion through fashion, i.e. breaking ration laws or whatever as a way to hinder the Nazi war effort. I'm sure that it didn't have too much of an effect (if it did happen), but it's an interesting idea anyways.
Philonivs Maximvs:
They won't let me on the Fedora Lounge!! You have to have a regular IP email address, but I can only get web-mail. ???
Someone should tell them that there are safeguards against spammers nowadays.
Yes, I have heard of the "subversion through fashion" thing too. In Germany, people didn't have to worry too much about handing over all their clothes & wearing rags (like they did in the Soviet Union), but I think you might have been paid a visit if you flaunted the fact that you had a bunch of expensive clothes, and you weren't an important person! The zoot-suiters did their thing in protest of the war... probably the only example of that sort of thing in the US, as protesting the war (after Pearl Harbor) was not at all popular.
One person to ask also is Joeri (http://www.joeri.net/)... she's on this forum, somewhere! I was hoping she'd butt in the civilian discussions, especially on the clothing. She'd know all about what happened in Holland, and I'm sure it was very similar to what the Germans experienced (sans the fact that they were occupied). She has done extensive research into the civilian end of things there. The girl literally lives in the 1930's/40's.... everything in her apartment is period, except her hidden computer! I'm very jealous ;D
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