Collection: Vintage 1940s Wedding Dress Patterns

Bridal fashion in the 40s reflected the contrast between wartime austerity and post-war optimism. Early gowns were simple, practical and often homemade or borrowed. After the war, dresses became more elaborate, exemplified by Norman Hartnell's designs for Queen Elizabeth, while elegant tea-length wedding dresses also remained popular. See 1940s Fashion Styles.