Daywear, 1946 and Eveningwear, 1888

First, is a basic gentleman’s suit from the 1940s. This gentleman is sporting a navy blue pinstripe three-button, three-piece suit. All of these styles were popular in the 1930s and ‘40s. The jacket has peak lapels, which were the preferred option in the era. The man is also sporting a fedora, the iconic men’s hat from the first half of the 20^th Century. He is wearing a wide tie, as was the style in the 1940s to match his jacket’s lapels. For shoes he is wearing rather conservative black oxfords.

He is also wearing a pair of grey dress gloves, which although were no longer as popular for gentlemen  as for ladies by the 1940s, remained worn especially by older men and in colder weather.

Next is a fashionable lady from the decade. She is wearing a blue sheath dress, which in the 1940s was worn as every day wear. Like any modern lady, she is carrying a matching clutch bag to carry her portable make up kit. She is wearing a fur pillbox hat with a peacock feather, one of many ladies’ hats styles in in the 1940s. For shoes she is wearing a pair of peep-toe pumps, which were iconic footwear of the 1940s. For a final touch of class, she wears a pair of white gloves, which like the hats, were quintessential to 1940s ladies’ fashion.

Next is another gentleman wearing a different suit style. This suit includes a double breasted jacket, which was a popular alternative to the three piece suit in the 1940s. Like the previous gentleman, he wears a pinstripe and peak lapel style suit. Unlike the previous gentleman his footwear is trendier. He wears a pair of fashionable spectator or swing shoes, which were popularized by both gangster movies and jazz musicians. 

Finally, another chic lady from the era. This lady is wearing a peplum jacket suit, which were enormously popular at the time. In the 1940s, suits were worn as everyday attire, but during World War II, rationing made it difficult to acquire clothing. Under these circumstances, many practical ladies opted to wear suits instead of gowns to formal occasions such as weddings and evening parties. Like the previous stylish lady, she wears a hat and gloves and carries a clutch bag. Her hat is a cartwheel with a medium brim, which was remains a timeless classic style. Finally, like the previous lady she also wears a pair of chic peep-toe pumps.

Now, back to the preceding century:

First is a gentleman wearing the apex of men’s formal attire: the white tie and 

tails. This style first became popular in the Victorian era and to this day remains 

the top option for men’s formal attire. It consists of a black tailcoat, matching 

trousers, white bow tie, white waistcoat, and for a final touch of class: a pair of 

white gloves. He also wears a pair of recently-popularized oxford shoes.

Next is an elegant lady of the era. She wears an off-the-shoulder bustle gown, 

which was the norm in the 1870s and ‘80s. She completes her gown with a 

pair of above-the-elbow white gloves, which were popular during the regency 

and became popular again by the 1880s. She also carries a feather fan with her. 

Women carried fans to balls for two reasons: first, to cool themselves, as some 

of the dances could be quite tiresome. Second, to conceal gossip.

Next is another elegant lady, from the era. She wears a similar style ball gown, 

also complete with white opera gloves.

Finally is another gentleman from the era. His outfit is not much different than 

the previous  gentleman. The only differences are the waistcoat and shoes. He 

wears a black waistcoat, instead of a white one. In the late 19^th Century, black 

tie attire first became popular. According to English folklore, it was popularized 

by the Prince of Wales and future King Edward VII, who wore a black tie instead 

of a white one to dinner one night. Although black tie attire would become the 

mainstream for men’s formal dress by the following century, the white tie and tails 

remained a popular option until then. For shoes, he is wearing a pair of traditional 

pumps or men’s court shoes. These fell out of style by the following century.

Since those who viewed my sketchbook liked the lady in the magenta ball gown 

so much, I decided to give her a scene of her own.

So I drew Waltz at the Corinthia: