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 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.

A 1940s dress pattern by Simplicity. I love this sharp dress with the buttons down the side! The feminine touches (bows, ruffle) just make this outfit shine.

A neat DuBarry dress with pleated skirt, circa 1945. Note the fitted hip yoke and the belt to emphasize the waist. Skirts are at knee length to help conserve fabric during WW2 rationing.

A late 1940s teen's dress for school by DuBarry. Note the fuller gored skirts hinting at the "new look" to come in the 1950s when fabric rationing was no longer a hindrance!

This 1940s tailored dress pattern has that famous tailored look, this time with the wide, pointed collar that was also seen on men's shirts in the 1940s and early 1950s. The shirt dress has been popular ever since.

DuBarry 1940s fitted suit dress. Classic! I love the short-sleeved look. In an era of fabric rationing, ladies really learned to keep a feminine silhouette with limited materials.

1945 ladies' blouse pattern with those classic wide shoulders and gathers below the yoke. Note the hairstyles on the models. You'll see a lot of these dropped shoulder yokes and gathered bodice fronts in this time period--a feature on my 1940s "Swing" Dress Pattern.

Here is a great 1940s woman's playsuit or dress pattern. Note the dropped shoulder yokes with gathers--a common feature in this time period. The styling is the classic shirt dress, which has never gone out of style since.

A 1940s older teen's blouse and skirt pattern. This is a wonderful look. It reminds me a lot of Shirley Temple's clothing from her teen films.

A young teen's dress pattern by DuBarry, circa 1944. I love the cummerbund waist and the gathered shoulder yokes, reminiscent of my ladies' 1940s "Swing" Dress Pattern. Note the option for a confirmation dress at the lower left-hand corner.

This 1940s teen dress has a bit of a "south-of-the-border" flavor to it. I love the embroidery featured around the hem and the neckline on the second dress. A simple but charming style for the older teenager.