The story of civilian clothing use during World War II. 

Manufacturing for civilians across the globe nearly stopped at the outset of World War II, as outfitting troops took precedence over nonmilitary production. Raw materials were prioritized for the armed forces and the majority of nonmilitary factories were shifted to war work, resulting in shortages and rationing of consumer products. Civilians, especially women, responded to the resulting scarcity of goods by using ingenuity and creativity to “make do.” In Clothing Goes to War, Nan Turner offers a critical look at some of the resourceful results of this period as necessity paved the way for fashionable invention.

Nan Turner is a fashion and textiles instructor at the University of California, Davis.

Introduction

1 Rationale for Rationing

2 Gender during WWII

3 Home Front Handicrafts

4 Wartime Weddings

5 Costumes go to War

6 Black Market

7 DIY returns

Epilogue