In her book Stiffed (1999), Susan Faludi has an interesting take on men, using the fedora hat as a symbol:
“… a crucial difference between those fedoras and the ball caps of today would strike me. The fedora was the haberdashery of a man in a position to give, an adult man with some sense of his value and purpose in a civic society into which he blended seamlessly.
The (baseball) cap was the garb of a boy, a man-child still waiting for his inheritance, still hoping to be ushered in by the male authorities and given a sign, a badge, perhaps a fedora, to indicate his induction into adult society.”
Men’s clothing in the 1940s (like women’s clothing) brought the last great push in style, class.. and elegance.
The end of the war and rationing brought a dramatic change in fashion. Men’s style after the war favored full-cut, long clothing. Part of the reason for this change was a reaction to wartime shortages. Long coats and full-cut trousers were a sign of opulence and luxury, coming in a full spectrum of colors from garish to delicate hues. Hand-painted ties were also popular featuring skyscrapers, exotic foliage, limousines, rodeos, Tahitian sunsets and even pin-up girls.
Vtg 40s 50s AZTEC GRAPHICS by WERNER-HILTON Necktie Tie PATENT OFC Cravat
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Vintage 40s 50s Tie Lot Of 3 More Neckties
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Vintage 40s 50s Ties Lot Of 6 Swing Neckties
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1940's Vintage NOS (unworn) Art Deco Wingtips 7.5 d
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1940's New Avenue Vintage NOS (unworn) Captoe Oxfords 12 d
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Vtg 40s 50s Mens KNAPP Black Leather CAP TOE Oxfords DRESS SHOES Size 11 D
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Vintage 30s 40s Gray Borsalino Custom Antique Fedora Blank Big Size 1937 Sears
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RARE Vintage 30s 40s Brown Borsalino Pocket Hat Antique Fedora Blank Any Size!
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Vintage 30s 40s Black Borsalino Homburg Hat Antique Italian Fedora
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1940's 2 Piece Double Breasted Suit Double Hollywood Pleat Pant w/ xtra Trousers
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vtg 40s Herringbone pinstripe double breasted wide peak lapel Wool suit 44 Long
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1930s 1940s 2 Piece Summer Weight Vintage Suit
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