Rayon Crepe Utility Wear Dress From Marks & Spencer, 1940s

This is a dress from the Utility Wear collection. It's made of rayon crepe with a purple and white floral print. The dress has shoulder pads and short sleeves. Clothes rationing started in June 1941 and M&S worked hard to provide clothing that conformed with the CC41 regulations, but that was also well designed and attractive.

Activity Idea: Research more examples of 1940s Utility clothing using the Related Links at the bottom of each page, then design either a dress or a suit that follows the principles of rationing.

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