1940's

As the country recovered from a deep depression, World War II set in. The men went off to war leaving behind women, children and families to earn a living for their family and help the men at war by manufacturing war materials.
The fashion for women was to be as conservative as possible so that extra material could be used to support the men at war. Dresses were made without cuffs, collars, buttons or extravagances.
Men's suits, previously a four piece deal with vest, jacket, and two pairs of pants, turned into just a jacket and a pair of pants. The suits were usually broad shouldered with wide lapels, along with jackets sporting the double breasted look. Mixing and matching became stylish in this era.