Updated August 2024

Trending on Pinterest right now is Fall Fashion Trend and since I’m not one to wear modern clothes on the regular I always look for how you could turn a modern trend into a vintage one. Of course all fashion inspiration comes from what came before so it makes sense that one of the trends this fall, ‘The Skirt Suit” is a throwback to the popular 1940s Women’s Two Piece Suit.

Today’s post is going to showcase vintage images (catalogs, sewing patterns, photos) of women wearing this look in the 1940s, so you too can be inspired to rock this trend with a vintage angle this fall!

Let’s begin!

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

Note: If you click on a link and the item you are looking for is no longer available, don’t fret. Etsy is filled with 1000’s of options and updated daily. Do a search and see what comes up. You just never know what you will find!

1940s Fashion-The Skirt Suit

Brief History of the “Victory Suit / Utility Suit”

In the United States during the 1940s, it was patriotically called the victory suit. In Britain, it was the utility suit.  Started in the 1930s it became a practical edition in wartimes women’s wardrobes due to how verstaile it was. As clothes were being rationed the 2 piece suit could be broken apart and worn in different ways (change the blouse and BAM! new outfit).

Source: Pinterest

Women wore these suits day and night and even for their weddings. They were really great editions to one’s wardrobe.

NOTE: Vintage Dancer gives a fantastic breakdown of what the suits were made of, what the restrictions were when making them and so much more. Instead of recreating the wheel I encourage you to head over there after you done my post and give it a read HERE.

Now let’s take a peek at some fantastic examples of these suits…

(vintage photos, patterns & real life examples)

1940s vintage photo of a woman wearing a 2 piece skirt suit with brooch. Great Street Style!

Source: Etsy

Two Black women, including Velma Pratt Bell, holding handbag and fur in stylish skirt suits, standing in Schenley High School for Beauty Shop Owners’ Fashion Revue, circa 1945. Photo by Teenie Harris.

Source: CMOA

A 1942 reproduction sewing pattern features a ladies two-piece suit. The crisply tailored, unlined jacket is finished with a notched collar, and welt-style pockets. Attached belt finishes the waistline (Avail in instant PDF format HERE)

Source: Etsy – Vintage Pattern Girl

Another 1940s two piece skirt suit sewing pattern (I own a similar hat that the lady on the left is wearing).

Source: Etsy

1940s photo of Elsa Lee Elliott Harris, wife of Charles “Teenie” Harris, with University of Pittsburgh and Cathedral of Learning in background, Oakland. Elsa is wearing a beautiful skirt suit in the photo.

Source: CMOA

1940s navy blue wool gabardine women’s suit.

Source: Etsy-LiliesandRemains

1940s Rayon Wool Gaberdine Skirt Suit (avail as of Aug 2024 HERE)

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940s Off White Crochet Skirt Suit -STUNNING!

Source: Etsy

1940s Suit ~ Brown Wool Scallop Collar Tailored suit skirt Set. Love the Collar Detail.

Source: Etsy

“Victory Fabrics” as seen in my personal collection ‘Montgomery Ward, Fall/Winter 1942-1943‘ Catalog.

What is a Victory Fabric (According to Montgomery Ward)? To make wool go further or to replace it replace it completely, as it grows scarcer – these ingenious new fabrics were developed to give warmth, quality, long wear. The new wooly effect casein fiber Aralac, for instance.

1940s Womens skirt suit pattern from DuBarry with double pockets on the jacket and a niped waist.

Source: Etsy

1940s lightweight gabardine wool skirt suit with not one but two skirts! Jacket shows off oversized contrast collar, oversized double breasted buttons and feminine fitted shape.

Source: Etsy

1942-1943 Fall/ Winter Montgomery Ward Catalog page (from personal collection) featuring a pretty women’s skirt suit telling you how to measure to insure best fit.

1940s women’s skirt suit in rare and exquisite lavender wool.

Source: Etsy

Anyone getting married this year? Since everything is low key why not go with this stunning ivory 2 piece skirt & jacket Fred A Block set from the 1940s? You would 100% stand out from the wedding dresses you see today.

Source: Etsy

1940s Vintage Wedding Photo of a Soldier and his Bride in her wonderful two piece suit wedding outfit.

Further Reading: Canadian WW2 War Brides

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940s WW2 brown houndstooth skirt suit.

Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940’s Sewing Pattern: Women’s Two-Piece skirt suit has inverted pleats in front and is finished at upper edge with a belt.

Source: Etsy

Original 1940s Vintage Grey Taupe Cream Houndstooth Check Wool skirt suit from the Ruth Davy Shop in Flint Michigan.

Source: Etsy

1940’S Hollywood Sewing Pattern 850 featuring Wendy Barrie of RKO Radio Stardum. Misses skirt suit pattern with box pleat skirt.

Source: Etsy

Another catalog page from my vintage 1942-1943 Montgomery Ward catalog featuring a group of women’s 2 piece suits in full colour. How wonderful are they? I would order them all!

Lastly, I cannot leave this post without mentioning that the skirt suit was the popular uniform for women serving in the military during WW2.

Below is a WW2 Air Force Uniform worn by Canadian Women. Read all about these uniforms on my guest Blog Post from Elinor Florence HERE.

How to find Women’s 1940s 2 Piece Skirt Suits on the web?

• Visit a website like Etsy and type in search terms like: “1940s women’s suit” & “1940s 2 piece skirt suit” with variations of those terms (or anything you saw above).
  • I have created a collection on Etsy that I update monthly called “Women’s 1940s Skirt Suits“.

• You can also visit my updated monthly ‘1940s Fashion‘ for sale on Etsy. Lots of super women’s suits for sale.

OR is vintage not for you? Then don’t worry, I have you covered with modern day skirt suits in a 1940s style (and modern day sizes).

Two-piece stylish 1940s style suit in a fine grey and dark blue check cloth (other colours & lots of sizes avail).

The Victory suit is a replica of an original forties (avail HERE)

Source: Etsy-RevivalVintageUK

Handmade, ladies reproduction 1940’s suit made of heavyweight polyester reflecting the times and replicating Rayon. The suits are available in a mix and match combination of jackets and skirts from sizes 10-18. The suits are available in three colours , blue , green and beige (Avail HERE).

Source: Etys-Mapledoram

Question Time! Would you wear this season Fall trend of the 2 Piece Skirt Suit? I know I would because it I have always loved this look. Share your comments below.

Do you love vintage Fall fashions? Then take a look at my always updated Etsy Collection of Fall Fashions from the 1920s-1960s that you can purchase right now.

Further Reading:

• Vintage Fall / Autumn 1920s-1960s Blog Posts (Archived)

Liz