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. 

My other Shirtwaist dress from 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 40’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 “New Look” collection in the famous fashion year of 1947. Dior focused on the “nipped-in” waist and a full (often very) full skirt. The iconic “Shirtwaist Silhouette” is born (and can be seen in almost every decade after this).

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.

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

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

Source: Etsy – VintageAnderburg

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!

History of the 1950’s Shirtwaist Dress

Dior’s shirtdress was an instant sensation. Its lush silhouette became a staple in women’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).

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!

Plaid & Colour Block Shirtwaist dresses.

Shirtwaist dresses for teenage girls.

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.

Source: Etsy

1940’s Black Rayon Shirtwaist Dress-CLASSIC!

Source: Etsy

1940’s navy and white polka dot shirtwaist dress.

Source: Etsy

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

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 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?

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

Love the embroidered detailing on the upper bodice.

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.

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

Source: Etsy

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

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.

Source: Etsy

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

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

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

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

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.

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:

• 1940s & 1950s House Dress
• Vintage Fashions 1920’s – 1960’s (Archived Blog Post)
• Shop Vintage Style Clothing (Shirtwaist dresses available on these sites)

Liz 🙂