This past weekend I went to a Big Band Lindy Hop dance right here in Toronto and I decided to wear my favorite 1940s reproduction Shirtwaist Dress by Trashy Diva in honour of the evening. This dress gets so many compliments every time I wear it and people are surprised when I tell them it’s a dress not a shirt. Hence why it’s called a “Shirtwaist Dress”.

Post Updated September 2023. Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.ย 

Trashy Diva 1940's Shirtwaist Dress
The dress and me a couple of years ago doing some silly dance move. Can’t tell I’m a dancer here can you? lol!

My other Shirtwaist dress from Trashy Diva.

Shirtwaist Dress Trashy Diva

The shirtwaist dress is not just a 1940’s style, in fact the 1950’s is really where it found its popularity and it’s place in fashion history.


BLOG NOTE: I have also done on a post on the ‘1940s & 1950s House Dress‘ not realizing that they are basically the same style of dress, just called different names. You can find that post by clicking on the name of the post just above.


The Shirtwaist Dress of the 1940’s & 1950’s

History of the 1940’s Shirtwaist Dress

The 1940s shirtwaist got its name from how it combined a blouse top and a skirt bottom into one dress and had as its basis the wartime, utilitarian appeal.

The shirtwaist skirt was always an A line cut, flared just enough to be loose over the hips and wide enough for easy walking. It was also light on fabric quantity which met the rationing restrictions during the war years. As rationing lifted more gathers were added to skirts for even more fullness. Long knife pleats were also in style and added to the straight military inspired look of the 40s. The long pleating also slimmed down the A-line skirt into a rectangle tube which was a trendy shape going into the late 40โ€™s (Source).

The dress was considered a useful ensemble for most daily activities, evening-wear, and even participating in sporting events.

In the late 1940’s Christian Dior popularized this style with his โ€œNew Lookโ€ collection in the famous fashion year of 1947. Dior focused on the โ€œnipped-inโ€ waist and a full (often very) full skirt. The iconic “Shirtwaist Silhouette” is born (and can be seen in almost every decade after this).

1940s Sewing Pattern for 1940's Wartime Shirtwaist Dress PDF Sewing Pattern. 1940s Fashion Illustration.

1940’s Wartime Shirtwaist Dress PDF Sewing Pattern avail for purchase on Etsy – MyVintageWish

First up..1940’s Fashions (As seen in Vintage Sewing Patterns)

Real Life examples further down the post.

Simple design, but still so beautiful. Shirtwaist dress that is gathered along shoulders and has puffed sleeve caps. Choice of long or short sleeves.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Sewing Pattern for women's Shirtwaist dresses. Shirtwaist dress that is gathered along shoulders and has puffed sleeve caps. Choice of long or short sleeves.
Source: Etsy-DesignRewindFashions

Wonderful flared skirt with front pleats. Great hair flower inspiration as well in this pattern.

1940s Vintage Shirtwaist Dress pattern
Source: Etsy-BluetreeSewingStudio

1940’s Hollywood Pattern for women’s shirtwaist dresses featuring actress ‘Agnes Moorehead’.

Agnes Moorehead had an amazing career with two golden globe awards, an emmy award and four academy awards. She was in Citizen Kane, Dark Passage, All That Heaven Allows, Show Boat, and Bewitched. She was also known for her radio play Sorry, Wrong Number.

FURTHER READING: The 1930s / 1940s Movie Stars & Fashions of Hollywood Patterns

1940s Fashion: 1940s Vintage Sewing Pattern for a women's shirtwaist dress featuring actress Agness Moorehead on the pattern.

Source: Etsy – VintageAnderburg

1940s Shirtwaist Dress w/ pointed collar & full skirt vintage sewing pattern.

1940s Shirtwaist Dress w/ Pointed Collar & Full Skirt vintage sewing pattern.

Source: Etsy

See the ladies during the 1940’s may not have had the ability to wear extravagant gowns but they did know that it was all about the accessories to take that outfit to the next level. These hats are perfect examples of that!

1940s Fashion: 1940s Vintage Sewing Pattern from Women's Shirtwaist dresses featuring a fashion illustration of Women's in cool 1940's hats.
Source: Etsy-momandpopcultureshop

History of the 1950’s Shirtwaist Dress

Diorโ€™s shirtdress was an instant sensation. Its lush silhouette became a staple in womenโ€™s fashion for the next decade and beyond, as ready-to-wear designers moved quickly to adopt the style. The shirtdress was a perfect mix of beauty and practicality, and thus became the unofficial uniform of the 1950s housewife (Source).

Dior New Look 1947 1948 vintage dress -1940s Shirtwaist Dress
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art

1950’s Fashions (as seen in 1950’s Sewing Patterns)

The Dior New Look has indeed taken over the shirtwaist dress as you can see in the 1950’s vintage sewing pattern. LOVE IT!

1950's Shirtwaist Dress full skirt
Source-Etsy: bellaloona

Plaid & Colour Block Shirtwaist dresses.

1950s shirtwaist dress sewing pattern
Source: Etsy-NostalgiaVintage2

Shirtwaist dresses for teenage girls.

1950s Fashion: 1950s McCall's Vintage Sewing Pattern Full Skirt Dress, Shirtwaist Dress.

Source: Etsy – midvalecottage

Beautiful Real Life Examples of 1940’s & 1950’s Shirtwaist Dresses

(Updated March 2023)


Vintage Shopping: I have put together a collection of 1940s & 1950s Vintage Sewing Patterns & Vintage Shirtwaist dresses on Etsy that is updated monthly.


Vintage 1940s dress, red wine rayon gabardine button shirt dress.

vintage 1940s dress | 40s red wine rayon gabardine button shirt dress

Source: Etsy

1940’s Black Rayon Shirtwaist Dress-CLASSIC!

1940s Black Rayon Shirtwaist Dress -1940s fashion

Source: Etsy

1940’s navy and white polka dot shirtwaist dress.

1940's Navy and White Polka Dot Shirtwaist Dress Size X-Large

Source: Etsy

While not 100% exact the 1940’s dress below looks very similar to the last sewing pattern above.

1940s Shirtwaist Dress-1940s fashion
Source: eBay-e-collectique.runway

The side pocket in this 1940’s Shirtwaist dress is something I look for when I buy dresses. I love a one pocket dress. Don’t know why..I just do.

1940s Vintage Shirtwaist Dress
Source: Etsy-TulleandTiaraVintage

1940s Pale Green Shirtwaist Dress. I do love green but I did not think I would love this green at first sight due to it being slightly neon like. But I think the breast pocket detail makes this green very wearable. Isn’t it marvelous?

1940s Vintage Shirtwaist Dress =1940s Pale Green Shirtwaist Dress
Source: Etsy-MotherOfVintage

I will now leave the 1940’s but not before posting an unbelievably stunning Shirtwaist Dress. This by far has been my favorite of all the images I have seen while working on this post of dresses you can buy right now

1940s Shirtwaist Dress  - 1940s fashion
Source: eBay-Marneys Vintage Co

Love the embroidered detailing on the upper bodice.

1940s Shirtwaist Dress
Source: eBay-Marneys Vintage Co

Now lets venture into the 1950’s….

1950’s Autumn Colours Shirtwaist Dress. This is real life similar version to the pattern above. Such warm colours.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Shirtwaist Dress - 1950s Autumn Colours Shirtwaist Dress
Source: Etsy-ModernMillieShop

Super cute and unusual 1950’s shirtwaist dress, featuring a large patch pocket graced with an adorable poodle! WOW!

Super cute and unusual 1950s culottes dress, featuring a large patch pocket graced with an adorable poodle!

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1950’s Dress, Toile print novelty Shirtwaist Dress with a full skirt. CUTE!

1950s Fashion: 1950s Shirtwaist Dress Toile print novelty Shirtwaist Dress with a full skirt

Source: Etsy

Sue Brett Junior Fashion blue 1950’s Shirtwaist Dress. It buttons from the waist up and has the cutest button detail at the back of the neck.

1950s Vintage Dress / 1950s Fashion: Sue Brett Junior Fashion Blue Shirtwaist Dress

Source: Etsy

Add some red accessories to this 1950’s blue dress and your ready for a night out on the town.

1950s Fashion / 1950s Vintage Dress: A 1950s Shirtwaist Dress - blue.
Source: Etsy-PollyandBandit

All you need is a fantastic pattern to add spice to a simple 1950’s style.

1950s Fashion/ 1950s Vintage Dress: 1950s Shirtwaist Dress
Source: Etsy-ModernMillieShop

Spring yet? The Apples and flowers on this 1950’s dress sure do make me wish spring was here.

1950s Fashion/ 1950s Vintage Dress: 1950s shirtwaist dress -The Apples and flowers on this 1950s dress so cute!
Source: Etsy-jumblelaya

Fantastic multi toned green shirtwaist style dress from the 1950s.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Vintage Dress: Vintage 1950s green shirtwaist dress

Source: Etsy

And lastly I will leave you with this 1950’s L’Aiglon diamond print shirtwaist dress as another wonderful example of this style during the 50s.

1950s Fashion / 1950s Vintage Dress: 1950s Shirtwaist Dress - 950's L'Aiglon diamond print shirtwaist dress
Source: Etsy-CapsuleVintage

I hope you enjoyed learning about the history of this Vintage Fashion Staple & seeing stunning real life examples. I love a good Shirtwaist dress and it will continue to be added to my wardrobe.

Question Time: So out of the examples I showed here, did you have a favorite? Or maybe you own your own shirtwaist dress that is your favorite. Share any thoughts in the comments section below.

FURTHER READING:

Liz ๐Ÿ™‚

18 Comments on The Shirtwaist Dress of the 1940s and 1950s

    • I so agree. With a simple cardigan you can change up the look in seconds. And they are oh so comfortable.

  1. Really fun post and look at one of the most classic ladies wear garments of the last 100 years. Shirtwaist dresses are beyond a wardrobe staple for me. I love that they’re often both (at least a little) roomy and also fitted (or easily made so). I have scores of this timeless style in my closet and wear them more than any other kind of dress all year round, but especially in the spring and summer.

    Love this post, dear gal!

    โ™ฅ Jessica

    • I have seen some of your collection Jessica and it they are wonderful. Shirtwaist dresses are the best! Truly the best ๐Ÿ™‚

      Have a super day!

  2. I wish I could wear those every day. I love the apples. I think the one pocket design is cool; you have to pare down your essentials to fit in that. And the neon green is for someone in charge! I have a brown and cream polka dot shirt dress hanging in my closet, waiting for me to lose weight. Oh, I do want to get in it!

    • I just love how versatile a good shirtwaist dress is. Add a cardigan to it and you have something for work or going to the store. And you don’t always have to add a crinoline to one either. The apple one is so fun, I love it ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Great post! I love a shirtwaist dress. They’re so wearable and always look beautiful. I love the 1950s purple/burgundy one from Modern Millie Shop. That’s definitely my favourite.

    • 3 Cheers for Shirtwaist dresses! They are super fantastic and a real must in every gals wardrobe. The purple burgundy one is stunning, I agree.

  4. wonderfully informative article! I love shirtwaist dresses. another bit of trivia that might interest your readers:
    the modern shirtwaist, the type you think of when you think of a shirtwaist dress and like you pictured above, was actually designed by Dorothy Cox of McMullen Co. a men’s shirt factory in Glens Falls, NY. It was in answer to declining sales of men’s shirts. It was her idea to take a man’s shirt and attach a length of fabric for a skirt and begin marketing to women to increase sales. My grandmother worked at McMullen under Dot Cox from the 1940suntil the 60’s and i remember her well, sitting at the kitchen table sewing even on her off time. Good memories. McMullen became more known for it’s women’s dresses made from shirting than from it’s line of men’s dress shirts after that. I specifically like the 1940s shirt dresses for their sheer utility and the 1950s ones for their cute style. Interesting read. Thanks so much!!

    • ohhhhh that is wonderful information! Makes sense to me and kind of goes along with the lines of “Make do and Mend”. Make do with what you have and make it better. Thanks so much for sharing that information Kim ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Shirtwaist dresses are one of those great styles that I love to look at but also love to actually wear! My favourites here are the apples and the grey-with-spots. Gorgeous!

  6. I only have one shirtwaister but I definitely need more. You have chosen some gorgeous ones to illustrate your post. I love the 1950’s pattern with the plaid dress and the 1940’s women in green. I need to increase my sewing skills!

    • They are wonderful as they are so versatile. If I could sew I would have tons in my closet, since I cannot I have to just buy buy buy ๐Ÿ™‚ lol!

  7. Didn’t buy anything yet but I have been looking everywhere for clothes from the 1930s and 1940s
    My mother lived and worn this clothes and never saved anything
    I intend to buy something
    My favorite era
    Pam

    • Etsy is a great place for vintage clothes from the 1930s and 1940s. In fact that is where 98% of my clothes have come from. You do need to know all your measurements to buy online, but it’s a great place for those styles you wish to buy. If not online, just look up at a local vintage shop and see what they stock. If they don’t stock the styles maybe they know someone who does? The community is pretty tight knit. Happy Shopping! Liz

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