Utility Clothing

How the British Government, with the help of London's top fashion designers, helped keep the British textiles industry alive and keeping the public stylish. 

 

During the Second World War, almost all everyday provisions from food to clothing were rationed and in short supply around Britain. But that didn't stop women around the country from looking as lovely as possible!

This year Her Majesty The Queen of England will be the first-ever British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee with an impressive 70 years of service!

 

With over 70 years service, we’re taking a look back to the Second World War, when The Queen was simply  Princess Elizabeth, and how The Queen and her family supported the nation through bleak and uncertain times.

Whether attending tea parties, enjoying a spot of afternoon tea, or just casual daywear, the humble tea dress has been an essential addition to our wardrobes for over a century! 

But where did the tea dress originate from, and how has it remained a fashion favourite for over 100 years?

Hollywood actress Hedy Lemarr was often called "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World", but being a star wasn't her only forte! Hedy starred in classic 40s films, but she was also an incredible genius who invented and pioneered the groundwork for modern-day Wi-Fi!

The 1940s would see rationing for food and clothing and would revolutionise the fashion industry for generations to come. But what was fashion rationing, and how did it affect the fashion world in the UK?