Plus Size Fashion Dresses in the 1940s

Today's post Plus Size Fashion Dresses in the 1940s from Vintage Dancer.

Stout. Not exactly a term we hear much today but back in the 1940′s (and earlier) is was the name for what we call plus size clothing today. Juniors, misses, womens and then stout was the way dress sizing went. It is refreshing to see all size bodies were taken seriously throughout the mid century. The 1940′s not only embraced curvy figures, catalogs photographed real plus size women in the clothing. The 1920s and 1930s usually had line drawing which often produced artistic liberties that are neither accurate to women’s real shapes or to the clothing itself.

Flipping through my 1940s catalogs I am happy to see that the same dresses offered for misses sizes were also offered to plus sizes. Some dress designs didn’t make the transition but the ones that did certainly are not any less beautiful. There are a few features that make 40′s dresses more flattering on curvy bodies that apply to both vintage and repro dresses today. Let’s take a peak, shall we?

1943 Winter Dresses

This collection of dresses from 1943 are all in plain colors common during the war years: Navy, black, wine red, pine green, and sailor blue. Darker solid colors are a slimming color palette as well as certain design features such as pleats. All of the skirts on these dresses have long pleat lines down the front. Here the pleats don’t add volume they ad vertical line which aids in the slimming effect.

1943 House Dresses

Even in winter plus size clothing was not only in dark colors. These cheerful house dresses also from 1943 come in medium blue, mauve, wine and medium green. The prints, long stripes and small repeating florals are flattering on any body shape. Trim is minimal and usually of the same fabric, yet another trick of the eye. Where as misses dresses had more contrast piping and buttons, stout dresses blended trim with the print. The effect is a streamline look (also frugal during hard times.)

1947 Summer Dresses

In summer, colors naturally must get lighter and so it is with these cotton dresses in “larger women’s sizes.” Brown, green, blue and my favorite, aqua, with white dots or flowers. The same technique of long lines in the skirts and minimal contrasting trim still applies in 1947.

1940′s Plus Size Dresses Source

Lane Bryant was one of the few companies specializing in only plus size fashion. Although I am disappointed they used line drawings instead of photographs we at least get to see some dresses in color! I love each and every one of these, don’t you?

Plus Size 1940′s Dresses Today

I am not going to lie. Finding 1940′s style dresses in plus sizes is not easy. Even finding a pattern is hard. I do my best to stay up to date on what is readily available online. Here are a few dresses I found:

Navy 1940s Dress- Cute!

Sexy red pinup dress looks AMAZING on women with curves

Polka Dot Swing Dress

Pine Green Late 1940s Dress

Shop more 1940′s plus size dresses here.

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