A 1940s Fashion History Lesson: Wartime Utility Suits, the New Look, and More Trends of the Escapist Era
Shoes were sturdy: Toes were rounded, and heels were substantial. Leather was in short supply, and thus alternative materials came into fashion, like cork and espadrilles. Vogue’s January 1, 1944, issue touted “Unrationed Raffia Shoes” that were “Footloose …