< Back

Laura and Andrew Espeland It's hard to say how old they were in this picture but the clothing styles seem to indicate that it is perhaps during the 1930s.

"In the late 1920s, knickers were also the latest in casual wear for the well-dressed gentleman, and are still worn occasionally today.In the fall and winter, English driving caps were popular for casual wear.

1938 After the early 30s, hemlines rise steadily. The shoulders become broader with puffed sleeves a common expression of shoulder width. (compare this with the silhouette of 1900). The waistline is more definitely marked now.

1943 Issued by the War Production Board, regulations on use of fabric for clothing, the Limiting Order L-85 restrictions, were announced. The main purpose of these regulations was to freeze the silhouette, since any significant change in fashion would have necessitated changes in manufacturing equipment, techniques and labor. Wool, silk, rubber, leather, nylon were all needed for the war effort.

Women's clothing was regulated. IF made of wool, or any other fiber necessary for the war effort, these limitations were in place: Skirts were limited to 72 inches in circumference. Hem depths were limited to 2 inches. Jackets were to be no longer than 25 inches. On blouses, there could be no turned back cuffs, double yokes, sashes, scarves, or hoods.

The restrictions appplied to everything but wedding gowns, maternity apparel, infants and children's clothing up to 4 years, religious vestments and burial shrouds (Milbank, 1989)."