I am giving a talk in August on the subject of Irish fashion during World War Two and in preparation I had a look at some of my photos from the 1940s. As these two Dublin wedding portraits demonstrate, the slouch hat was a ‘must-have’ for any fashionable women. Tilted or asymmetric hats of all styles were very popular including the topper .
The July 1944 advertisement boasts that the high-end Dublin department store Slyne’s was selling slouch hats in a variety of colours.
Neither bride wears white and both of them have sensible shoes and outfits which could be worn again for everyday use.
Interestingly, both grooms are wearing double-breasted pin-striped suits with large lapels. The trousers are wide-legged with turn-ups.
What I like about both these studio portraits is that they show how regular Dubliners embraced fashion trends and that despite the formal studio setting and poses, the sitters’ personalities still manage to shine through.
Jacolette: 
Hi Jacolette, my husband (@gmcmahon – Trinity) forwarded your blog to me. I work in costume, both theatre and film, so this looks like being a fantastically useful resource. Just wondering though, when I clicked on the August link nothing for August came up. Could you send me some details on your talk? Many thanks,
clodaghdeegan@hotmail.com
Hello Clodagh, Thanks for looking at the blog and am glad you find it useful. The talk details are as follows: Saturday 19th August at 12.30, National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. They details should come up in featured events section nearer to the time. All the best, Orla.
This is fantastic Orla. The hats were quite daring and the cut of the outfits is so stylish. I must try to go to your talk, it sounds fascinating.