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Forties-inspired fashion pieces you could buy this VE Day

Whilst we can’t have the street parties many of us had planned to mark VE day, that doesn’t mean we can’t dress up for a (socially distanced) celebration, instead.

Written by High Life North
Published 08.05.2020

By Bekki Ramsay

From tea dresses to fitted polo shirts, there’s no denying that 1940s fashion was forward-thinking. So much so that our current high-street is still full of post-war inspired fashion. And luckily for those who want to get into the patriotic spirit this VE Day, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite picks to celebrate the historical event.  

Dress for the occasion (literally) with a tea or shirt dress

Back in the 1940s, tea and shirt dresses were worn whilst having tea with your loved ones or at casual afternoon parties – so why not use this as an excuse to dress like ‘lady of leisure’? Put on your favourite swingy or shirt dress and go-bare legged to get yourself in the Spring spirit.

Floral Tea Dress – NEXT - £38.00

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Lemon Print Shirt Dress – Boden - £80.00

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Spring Green Tea Dress – Never Fully Dressed - £79.00

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Cuban-collared Shirt Dress – Solid & Striped - £216.00 (with discount code ‘SPRING20’)

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After Something more casual? Knock yourself out with a knitted polo or cardigan

Whilst the majority of women’s fashion in the 1940s leaned towards femininity, there was also the introduction of post-war masculine garments – such as the sweet v-neck polo and classic cardigan.

Top tip: To give these items a 2020 update, team it with a high-quality classic trouser and some clean, white trainers.

Sheer Fitted Polo Top - &Other Stories - £55.00

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Textured V-Neck Knitted Top – M&S - £39.50

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Wool Cardigan – H&M - £49.50

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Ribbed Premium Quality Cardigan – Ted Baker - £99.00

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Want to wear the most Popular Print of the 1940’s? Get Polka-Dot-ty

Oh, the classic polka-dot print. Whilst this print is having its own moment in 2020, it turns out that it was just as prominent in the 1940s.

Luckily, we’ve found the print in a number of 1940’s inspired silhouettes too – the romper (perfect for a picnic in the garden), the midi skirt and, of course, the peplumed dress which will create the classic hourglass figure of the 1940s on any body shape.

Polka dot romper – Maje - £210.00

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Ivory Spotted Dress – Boden - £210.00

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Scattered Dot Slit Skirt – Karen Millen - £53.40

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Polka Dot Vintage Dress – KITRI - £99.00

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Feeling Patriotic? Four Picks That Are Post Box Red or Royal Blue

Are you in search of VE Day fashion inspiration but are more interested in colour than the silhouettes? Well, we’ve picked out four fashion items that mimic the colours of the Great British flag. 

Linen Shell Top – Boden - £50.00

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Pleated Midi Skirt – Dorothy Perkins - £18.20

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Belted Suit Trousers – Claudie Pierlot - £209.00

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Belted Cotton-blend Shorts – Mango - £29.99

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