This is a 1940s tailored jacket pattern from Simplicity with top stitching and lots of pocket options. I admire the clean lines and feminine fit.

A trio of beautiful 1940s leading ladies, looking so glamorous. Gene Tierney looks smashing in her evening gown with cape and matching gloves; Veronica Lake (known for her trademark hairstyle) shows off a softly-draped evening gown; Myrna Loy looks cool and chic in her street dress with contrasting pockets and matching hat.

What a change a year can make! Shirley Temple goes from "toddler" clothes in the 1940 publicity shot at left to the cleanly tailored, young lady look of 1941. Vive' la Difference! I love the crispness of the outfit on the right and just wish we had a full-length view to see what the skirt is like.

Fifteen-year-old Shirley Temple sits on the diving board behind her home in 1943. Her cute play dress features a white collar and a slightly flared skirt, and note her "grown-up" shoes with peep toes. (Image courtesy of Rita Dubas and 20th Century-Fox.)

This is a page of 1946 Fall fashions from Woman's Day Magazine. Note the color samples the ladies are showing off. At this point, fashion still hasn't moved away from the fabric-conserving lines of WWII, but skirts are a bit longer, and you can see a move toward the emphasized hipline on the model at left.

Here is a late 1940s Simplicity pattern for a "wrap" dress. You can see how the style is starting to edge into the 1950s with the emphasis on wider hips with a fuller skirt.

Here are my glamorous grandparents, right in the middle of the "swing" era and all dressed up for a Hollywood party. My grandmother was a knock-out, wasn't she? Wish we could see her entire dress. She was known for her beautiful taste in fashion. The second photo shows my grandparents in 1947, shortly after my father was born.

These are my maternal grandparents, holding my mother (on the right) and her sister in the late 1940s. They were missionaries on the frontier in Brazil for 40 years, building the first school and first church. Amazing!

These are my grandparents, Reichardt and Elizabeth Taylor, on their wedding day in 1944. As was common with many young women in the 1930s and '40s, my grandmother wore a dressy suit for her wedding, including a matching hat with veil.

This mid-1940s dress pattern by Simplicity, features flattering day dresses. Note the details of the gathered shoulder seams and scallops on the dress on the left--and you've gotta love diagonal stripe matching as seen on the right!

A darling 1940s Simplicity pattern. The ruffled, casual look of the country girl--even down to the braids the model on the left is wearing! Note the yoke with gathers beneath -- this style repeats over and over again in the 1940s.

A wonderful 1940s pattern by Simplicity from the wartime years when fabric rationing was in effect. The dress on the right looks just right for an afternoon shopping. The one on the left has a more casual yet still "put-together" look.

It is easy to see the beginnings of New Look styling in this 1948 pattern by McCall's. The skirts are fuller, and the focus is on the nipped waist. This is especially noticeable on the dress with the diagonal stripes emphasizing the hourglass shape. This is such a simple pattern, but the results are WOW!

I love this mid-1940s Simplicity pattern for a woman's suit. Beautifully tailored and very appropriate for Fall and Winter wear. That feminine fitting is fabulous.

1940s Shirt Dress pattern by Simplicity. The dress on the right would be appropriate to wear to an afternoon party or daytime wedding. The one on the left is suited for shopping or a town outing. Love that heart-shaped pocket!

This WW2-era Simplicity pattern features a smart day dress style. Note the top-stitched shoulder yoke--a common style in this period.

This is a Simplicity pattern for a tailored blazer with pleated skirt. It looks very collegiate. I especially like the short-sleeved version of this 1940s suit, shown in the center.

Classic 1940s dress pattern by McCall Pattern Company. These  feature interesting ruched pocket detailing and princess seams--a great way to conserve fabric during WW2 rationing.

This 1940s Simplicity pattern features two cute variations on the sailor theme! I love the hip pockets, pleated skirts and square yokes.

This is a mid-1940s pattern for four blouses, suitable for day wear. The gathered area under the dropped shoulder yoke is common, and you'll see it again and again in my 1940s images.