40s, Take My Breath Away

I've never really thought about 40s fashion until I got netflix. I've been so obsessed with the 50s full skirts and cocktail dresses that I overlooked some of the most stunning gowns and day dresses I've ever seen. Watching Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in The Gay Divorcee and Shall We Dance I fell in love with her gowns and night gowns.
Since then I've watched as many 40s movies as I can get my hands on. Mesmerized by the shape of the bodies and the glamor..I had no idea the late 30s and early 40s were so glamorous! But I really love the every day dresses. So tailored and elegant. Suits were so sophisticated (thank you Lauren Bacall!) Everything just seemed to be so..so..sexy. And I know when I thought of 40s dresses I didn't think sexy...I thought dowdy..or frumpy. Shame shame shame on me! Proving me wrong time and time again here are just a few of the AMAZING dresses I've found on etsy.

I love the purple color of this one and the bow around the neck. So amazing. DearGoldenVintage
I can't get enough of the frilly details on the sleeves and pockets of this navy dress. QsDaydream
Stunning black silk dress you can tell this dress is expertly tailored and I love the tone on tone neckline. WOW - OH - WOW BlackSwanVintage
Here is some of that spectacular 40s glamour. Sequin shoulder crepe gown in the prettiest pink. SillyRabbitVintage
Powder pink beautiful pocket day dress with embroidered leaves on pockets and neckline. I would love to have a dress like this. Its so gosh darn classy! TheGreedySeagull
Marbled silk day dress with red details. You can just tell this dress is going to be flattering. Another from DearGoldenVintage
I think this is a late 40s dress the blue is killer! The dolly collar and those signature hip pockets. There are even some rhinestones around the neck. TheGreedySeagull
I think this one is my favorite. Its got a very unique style of buttons, I love the ascot neckline. MelsVanity
A beautiful crepe dress with crisp white collar. Great for every day sassy sophistication. ArtDecoDame
This one is already taken but I thought I should share it anyway. Beautiful white piping. Rhinestone bow. Classic 40s shape. Penguim
Late 40s again super bold purple with colorful sequins. Perfect for parties when paired with an open swing coat (or the black and gold felted coat in my store) PlanetClaireVintage
A day gown, we don't have them anymore - but looking through my vogue the other day it looks as if we're going longer for day time and that's just fine with me. I'm a big fan of covering as much as possible. The bust is this amazing lace or eyelet material its really stunning. DearGoldenVintage
There were so many more dresses I would have liked to share with you. Take a look around. The 40s had some killer fashion sense. I'm excited in the hopes that we might be getting a little taste of that again.