20 Photos of Classic 1940s Styles

History All Lifestyle Nostalgia February 26, 2025

The 1940s was rich in the reinvention of style as people knew it. Numerous impeccable double-breasted suits, as well as fedoras, flocked to the streets alongside elegant dresses that had nipped waists as well as victory rolls. These were all stylistic staples of an era marked by practicality with just the right amount of glamor, to boot. We’ll look at some of the classic images that define fashion as the most prominent styles of the 1940s.

1. A solid shot of some of the menswear in the 1940s.

Four men in suits walk together on a paved path in an outdoor setting with buildings in the background. One man holds a book under his arm. They appear to be engaged in conversation, dressed in mid-20th century style.
u/actuallycausaul/via reddit

These guys are on some kind of mission.

2. Mom and friend in their stylish camping outfits, 1940s.

Two women in vintage military-style shirts and pants stand outdoors, smiling with arms around each other. They are in front of a rustic log building with a window. Rocks and wooden steps are visible at their feet.
u/crew/via reddit

They look so ready for their camping trip.

3. My buddies grandfather and friends in Paris in the 1940s.

A vintage photo shows four young men in suits and ties walking confidently down a bustling city street. They are smiling, and the street is lined with people and buildings in the background. The photo appears to be from the mid-20th century.
u/dubsdude/via reddit

Looks like a lovely day to be in Paris for these guys.

4. Two summer dresses in 1940s vintage Paris fashion.

Two women in vintage dresses stand outside a brick building. One woman playfully lifts her leg and rests her foot on a wooden post, while the other smiles with her hands in her dress pockets. A bicycle leans against the wall nearby.
u/woohoovintage/via reddit

This photo looks like everyone’s in a state of bliss.

5. This person’s grandma had the best fashion on the slopes in the ’40s.

A person in a hooded coat stands in deep snow on a sunny day. The scene is a snowy landscape with trees and hills in the background. The person is smiling with hands in pockets, casting a shadow on the snow.
u/ladybirdthecat/via reddit

Definitely time to bring this style back for future winters.

6. Waiting for the bus in the 1940s.

Two men in suits and fedoras sit on a bench in a busy train station, engaging in conversation. One man leans back with his arm across the bench, while others in the background read newspapers or chat. The scene captures a vintage atmosphere.
u/ex1tstrategy/via reddit

Looking impeccably styled today, guys.

7. Gary Cooper’s style was on another level entirely.

A couple in vintage clothing stands outdoors on a stone path, accompanied by a large dog. The woman wears a polka dot outfit, and the man is in a checkered blazer. They are in a sunny garden setting.
u/kafkasola/via reddit

Gary Cooper was a style icon. Plain and simple.

8. More of the 1940s style hitting the streets.

Three women in 1940s fashion stand on a city street. They wear dresses with belts and patterns, hats, and dark gloves. One holds a parasol. Behind them are tall buildings and a vintage car.

You know it’s a day for exceptional fashion when the sun umbrella is out and about.

9. Veronica Lake sporting the peek-a-boo hair style that became a copied fashion statement.

Black and white portrait of a woman with wavy hair wearing a shimmering long-sleeved dress. She is seated with one arm resting on a chair, looking toward the camera with a soft-focus background enhancing the vintage feel of the image.
u/deleted/via reddit

You know you have a solid style going when other people are trying to repurpose it.

10. He had to have known his stache was impressive.

A black and white portrait of a man in a suit and tie holding a small child dressed in a light-colored outfit. The child's hair is neatly combed back. The image has an oval frame, giving it a vintage appearance.
u/woahman/via reddit

Now that’s a solid stache if I’ve ever seen one.

11. Just another day in 1940s New York.

Woman in a polka dot dress walks down a city sidewalk lined with buildings. Vintage cars are parked along the street, and a group of people walks ahead. The setting appears to be a mid-20th century urban area.
u/anonymous/via reddit

She’s got the power stride going.

12. Just imagine if tons of gents still dressed like this.

A man in a 1940s-style suit and hat leans against a vintage car, holding a coat. He stands on a city street with tall buildings in the background. The image is black and white, giving it a classic, timeless feel.
u/amworks2k15/via reddit

One has to wonder what exactly this guy is waiting on.

13. The cuffed pants, sideways belt, coifed hair. Now that was style.

Black and white photo of two young men walking outdoors. One wears a light button-up shirt and jeans, the other a dark long-sleeve shirt and jeans. They appear to be on a sidewalk near storefronts. The photo looks vintage with some creases.
u/cherrygrapejuice/via reddit

Numerous elements that make up the 1940s style in this photo.

14. Kentucky Derby fashion at its finest in the 1940s.

Three women dressed in Edwardian fashion, wearing large hats with plumes and intricate lace dresses, stand with their backs to the camera, observing an event behind a metal fence.
u/deleted/via reddit

People have a tendency to always go all out with their outfits for the Kentucky Derby.

15. The white tee was and always will be a staple of an understated, confident style.

A young man in a white t-shirt and cuffed jeans walks casually on a city sidewalk. He is passing by a storefront with a large window display. The scene has a vintage, black-and-white aesthetic, suggesting a mid-20th century setting.
u/nancy45/via reddit

The plain white tee and jeans fit will truly never go out of style.

16. He’s got the hairstyle down.

A man in a white T-shirt and jeans leans against a vintage car, resting his arm on the headlight. He appears contemplative, with his other hand touching his forehead. The background includes a wooden fence and foliage. The photo is in black and white.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see this hairstyle make more of a comeback.

17. A nostalgic, happy moment clearly filled with love.

A smiling couple from the mid-20th century stands together in front of a vintage car. The man has his arm around the woman, who is wearing a button-down dress. Both are looking at the camera, radiating a sense of happiness and affection.
u/br00klyn/via reddit

There’s just a whole lot of love in their eyes.

18. This guy’s ready to seize the day.

A man in a suit and tie stands smiling in front of a row of brick houses. He wears a long coat over his suit, and one hand is in his pocket. Snow is on the ground, and a decorative iron fence is in the foreground. The photo is in black and white.
u/dougjhftb/via reddit

This guy’s maybe not even trying to flex, but mission accomplished.

19. Looking sharp, fellas.

Three men stand confidently in a worn archway, wearing 1940s-style zoot suits. One wears a light suit with a hat, and the other two wear dark suits. Each has a distinctive pose, conveying an air of swagger and style.
u/rocketsredglare/via reddit

These guys are ready for a night out.

20. These two are giving off some Bonnie and Clyde vibes.

A black and white photo of a man and woman sitting on wooden logs in a forest. The woman wears a coat, skirt, and headscarf, and the man wears a suit with a bow tie and hat. Bare trees surround them on the slope.

There’s something so mysteriously romantic about the mood of this photo.

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