1940s Dresses & Vintage Tea Dresses

Our 1940s dresses are designed in-house and made in Yorkshire, and they cover the full range of the decade's day-to-evening dressing: floaty tea dresses, practical shirt-waister dresses, swing dresses made for dancing and sleek film noir cocktail dresses. Most are cut in soft viscose and rayon crepe with the details that make a 1940s dress instantly recognisable: sweetheart or V necklines, shirred bodices, puffed or flutter sleeves and a flared skirt from a defined waist.

What is a 1940s tea dress?

Vintage style tea dresses take their cue from the 1940s classic: floral, gored or bias-cut, with a sweetheart neckline, short sleeves and a skirt that falls to just below the knee. The tea dress grew out of the Edwardian tea gown, emerged as a day dress in the 1920s, was refined in the 1930s and became iconic in the 1940s, when it was lighter, easier and made for real life. That is why a vintage tea dress is still so wearable today. See the whole story in our deep dive into the 1940s tea dress, or browse the classic tea dress edit.

Shirt-waister, swing and cocktail dresses

• Shirt-waister dresses are the go-to 1940s look: buttoned bodice, collar, belted waist and a neat skirt. Rationing made them a staple, and they remain one of the most practical dresses you can own. Read why we love the 1940s shirtwaister dress.
• 1940s swing dresses describe the flared, gored skirt that moves when you dance. Our tea dresses and shirt-waisters have exactly this shape, and several, like the Grable tea dress, have flutter sleeves that leave your arms free to move.
• 1940s cocktail dresses take the look into film noir territory, with strong shoulders, ruching and rich plain colours. Browse film noir elegance or read the story of our O'Hara cocktail dress.

What to wear to a 1940s party

A 1940s party needs very little effort with the right dress. Add a cardigan or bolero, a snood or headscarf and wedge shoes for a wartime look, or heels, a brooch and red lipstick for the evening. The cut does the rest. For more ideas see our 1940s style guide and 1940s dresses and outfits for Christmas.

Our 1940s dresses come in UK sizes 8 to 18, with most styles available up to 24; the size guide has the measurements. Looking for the full wardrobe? Explore all 1940s vintage fashion, or pair your dress with a 1940s jacket, blouse or skirt.