Skip to main content

1940s French Chandelier

to
48
392
162
559
89
43
18
16
8
7
6
6
5
5
2
2
1
1
1
556
17
497
2
21
405
4
397
149
124
120
106
532
524
2
2
1
556
556
556
16
7
5
3
2
Sort By
Maison Arlus 1940s French Chandelier
Maison Arlus 1940s French Chandelier

Maison Arlus 1940s French Chandelier

By Arlus

Located in Miami, FL

Maison Arlus French Mid-Century Modern eight lights brass & faceted glass decoration chandelier

Category

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

1940s French Chandelier, Silver and Bronze, Four Arm Design, Rewired
1940s French Chandelier, Silver and Bronze, Four Arm Design, Rewired

1940s French Chandelier, Silver and Bronze, Four Arm Design, Rewired

Located in New York, NY

1940s French silver and bronze four arm chandelier. Decorative harp design center column. Newly

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Silver, Bronze

French Chandelier
French Chandelier

French Chandelier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Brass and iron 1940s French chandelier with fleur de lis and dragon details. Gold glass is new.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Iron

French Art Deco Chandelier
French Art Deco Chandelier

French Art Deco Chandelier

Located in New York, NY

A late 1940's French chandelier with glass elements on body. 6 arms and 1 center light

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze, Nickel

Pair of Large Gilt Chandeliers with Amethyst Flowers
Pair of Large Gilt Chandeliers with Amethyst Flowers

Pair of Large Gilt Chandeliers with Amethyst Flowers

Located in New York, NY

Pair of 1940s French chandeliers with amethyst colored flowers, interior lights and six arms

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

French 1940s Large 24 Branch Leafy Chandelier with Crystal flowers
French 1940s Large 24 Branch Leafy Chandelier with Crystal flowers

French 1940s Large 24 Branch Leafy Chandelier with Crystal flowers

Located in London, GB

flowers on a brass and toleware frame. This 1940s French chandelier is a real statement piece with 24

Category

Vintage 1940s French Belle Époque Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Brass

French Art Deco Flush Mount, circa 1940
French Art Deco Flush Mount, circa 1940

French Art Deco Flush Mount, circa 1940

Located in Merida, Yucatan

1940s French chandelier manufactured in laquered metal (TOLE), brass and pressed glass. The

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass

beautiful French 1940's crystal chandelier
beautiful French 1940's crystal chandelier

beautiful French 1940's crystal chandelier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautiful and elegant french crystal chandelier, the patina is much nicer in person

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Brass

1940’s French Glass Drop Crystals Chandelier
1940’s French Glass Drop Crystals Chandelier

1940’s French Glass Drop Crystals Chandelier

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1930’s French crystal chandelier with interior lights

Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Elegant French 1940's wrought iron chandelier
Elegant French 1940's wrought iron chandelier

Elegant French 1940's wrought iron chandelier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An elegant all hands forged wrought iron chandelier, the patina is much nicer in person

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Wrought Iron

1940's French Polychrome Tole Flower Chandelier
1940's French Polychrome Tole Flower Chandelier

1940's French Polychrome Tole Flower Chandelier

Located in Schoorl, NL

Stunning 4 light fixture with painted Lily's white and yellow polychromed metal Toleware. Faux wax candlestick light holders on a green holder mounted on a white lily. Gold and Green...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1940’s French Gilt Bronze Chandelier
1940’s French Gilt Bronze Chandelier

1940’s French Gilt Bronze Chandelier

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1940’s French gilt bronze chandelier with 12 lights

Category

Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

Elegant 1940's French style crystals/brass chandelier
Elegant 1940's French style crystals/brass chandelier

Elegant 1940's French style crystals/brass chandelier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautiful 1940's brass/crystals chandelier, Louis 15 style, the patina is much nicer in person

Category

Vintage 1940s American Louis XV Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Six-Armed French Art Deco Chandelier 1940's
Six-Armed French Art Deco Chandelier 1940's

Six-Armed French Art Deco Chandelier 1940's

Located in Long Island City, NY

A gorgeous elegant 1940's French Art Deco polished bronze Six Arm Chandelier with black-brown

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

Beautiful  and elegant French 1940's small crystals chandelier
Beautiful  and elegant French 1940's small crystals chandelier

Beautiful and elegant French 1940's small crystals chandelier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautiful and elegant French 1940's brass chandelier, the patina is much nicer in person

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Brass

1940’s French Crystal Bird Cage Chandelier
1940’s French Crystal Bird Cage Chandelier

1940’s French Crystal Bird Cage Chandelier

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1940’s French bird cage chandelier with glass leaves and glass birds, also rock crystals

Category

Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate

Beautiful 1940's French bronze chandeliers with sea creatures
Beautiful 1940's French bronze chandeliers with sea creatures

Beautiful 1940's French bronze chandeliers with sea creatures

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautiful french solid bronze chandelier, it is decorated with sea creatures, PLEASE REMEMBER

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

French Provincial Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron & Wood Chandelier. 1940's.
French Provincial Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron & Wood Chandelier. 1940's.

French Provincial Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron & Wood Chandelier. 1940's.

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A grand and expressive French Provincial chandelier dating from the 1940's, combining hand-wrought

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron

Elegant French Chandelier, 1940s
Elegant French Chandelier, 1940s

Elegant French Chandelier, 1940s

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Elegant chandelier with three brass arms and central stem, green-painted tole, and frosted glass

Category

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

1940s French Designer Brass Chandelier
1940s French Designer Brass Chandelier

1940s French Designer Brass Chandelier

Located in Dallas, TX

1940s French designer brass chandelier. Six arms and six brass shades.

Category

Vintage 1950s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

1940's French Hollywood Regency Tole Peinte Floral Chandelier
1940's French Hollywood Regency Tole Peinte Floral Chandelier

1940's French Hollywood Regency Tole Peinte Floral Chandelier

By Maison Baguès

Located in Opa Locka, FL

1940's French Hollywood Regency Tole Peinte Floral Form Chandelier. In the style of Bagues.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

1940's French Hollywood Regency Brass Faux Bamboo Chandelier
1940's French Hollywood Regency Brass Faux Bamboo Chandelier

1940's French Hollywood Regency Brass Faux Bamboo Chandelier

By Maison Baguès

Located in Opa Locka, FL

French 1940's Hollywood Regency Brass Faux Bamboo Chandelier. A minimalist chandelier here in the

Category

Vintage 1940s French Hollywood Regency Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Beautiful 1940's French cupid light
Beautiful 1940's French cupid light

Beautiful 1940's French cupid light

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautiful cherub light, perfect for a powder room or a girl room, remember the height can be much shorter, the patina is much nicer in person

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

French 1940s Nickel-Plated Chandelier
French 1940s Nickel-Plated Chandelier

French 1940s Nickel-Plated Chandelier

Located in Buchanan, NY

This elegant French 1940s nickel plated bronze six armed chandelier emanates an aura of

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze, Nickel

French Designer, Chandelier, Brass, Fabric, France, 1940s
French Designer, Chandelier, Brass, Fabric, France, 1940s

French Designer, Chandelier, Brass, Fabric, France, 1940s

Located in High Point, NC

A brass and white fabric chandelier designed and produced in France, c. 1940s. Overall Dimensions

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Crystal Chandelier, France, 1940s
Crystal Chandelier, France, 1940s

Crystal Chandelier, France, 1940s

$1,243Sale Price|20% Off

Crystal Chandelier, France, 1940s

Located in Chorzów, PL

Crystal chandelier from France from the 1940s. The chandelier has been renovated, the electrical

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chippendale Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal

French 1940s Art Deco Chandelier
French 1940s Art Deco Chandelier

French 1940s Art Deco Chandelier

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Chic brass and red-painted tole chandelier, with six lights. Height indicated below is without

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Metal

1940's Italian Small Crystal Chandelier
1940's Italian Small Crystal Chandelier

1940's Italian Small Crystal Chandelier

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1940's Italian small crystal chandelier with dark patinated finish

Category

Vintage 1940s Italian French Provincial Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Metal

1940’s French Nickel Plated Light Fixture
1940’s French Nickel Plated Light Fixture

1940’s French Nickel Plated Light Fixture

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1940’s French nickel plated light fixture with beaded crystals (12 interior lights)

Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown French Provincial Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Nickel

French Designer, Chandelier, Brass, Wood, Glass, France, 1940s
French Designer, Chandelier, Brass, Wood, Glass, France, 1940s

French Designer, Chandelier, Brass, Wood, Glass, France, 1940s

Located in High Point, NC

A brass, wood and light pink gilded opaline glass chandelier likely designed and produced in France

Category

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

1940s French Five Arm Pineapple Gilt Chandelier
1940s French Five Arm Pineapple Gilt Chandelier

1940s French Five Arm Pineapple Gilt Chandelier

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

1940s French five arm gilt pineapple chandelier. Rewired and PAT tested to UK standards

Category

Mid-20th Century French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

1940's French Regency Gilt& Patinated Bronze Pineapple Chandelier Maison Charles
1940's French Regency Gilt& Patinated Bronze Pineapple Chandelier Maison Charles

1940's French Regency Gilt& Patinated Bronze Pineapple Chandelier Maison Charles

By Maison Charles

Located in Opa Locka, FL

1940's French Regency Gilt & Patinated Bronze Pineapple Chandelier by Maison Charles. Heavy, highly

Category

Vintage 1940s French Regency Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

1940s French 6-arm Crystal Chandelier
1940s French 6-arm Crystal Chandelier

1940s French 6-arm Crystal Chandelier

Located in Tarrytown, NY

1940s French crystal 6-arm chandelier from a Park Avenue apartment. Very elegant.

Category

Vintage 1940s Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal

1940s French Empire Alabaster Chandelier
1940s French Empire Alabaster Chandelier

1940s French Empire Alabaster Chandelier

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1940’s French empire style alabaster chandelier with bronze interior arms, 12 lights + 6

Category

Vintage 1940s French Empire Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Alabaster, Bronze

Small French 1940s Bronze Chandelier
Small French 1940s Bronze Chandelier

Small French 1940s Bronze Chandelier

Located in Buchanan, NY

Elevate your space with this lovely French 1940s bronze chandelier, featuring eight ornate arms and

Category

Vintage 1940s French Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

1940’s French Silver Plated Sphere Light Fixture
1940’s French Silver Plated Sphere Light Fixture

1940’s French Silver Plated Sphere Light Fixture

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1940’s French silver plated light fixture unusual size, (different finish available)

Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown French Provincial Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Silver Plate

Crystal Brass Chandelier, France, 1940s
Crystal Brass Chandelier, France, 1940s

Crystal Brass Chandelier, France, 1940s

Located in Chorzów, PL

Brass chandelier with crystals from France from the 1940s. The chandelier has been renovated, the

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Gold-Painted Iron Chandelier, France, 1940s
Gold-Painted Iron Chandelier, France, 1940s

Gold-Painted Iron Chandelier, France, 1940s

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

A 1940s Art Deco gold-painted iron chandelier with six lights.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Iron

Tall French 1940s Painted Iron Chandelier
Tall French 1940s Painted Iron Chandelier

Tall French 1940s Painted Iron Chandelier

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Very long, elegant, turned wrought-iron eight-arm chandelier, painted a deep red color.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Wrought Iron

1940's Metal and Glass Chandelier Attributed to Maison Baguès
1940's Metal and Glass Chandelier Attributed to Maison Baguès

1940's Metal and Glass Chandelier Attributed to Maison Baguès

By Maison Baguès

Located in Schoorl, NL

This is a stunningly classic decorative Chandelier from 1940s. This lamp has a rich, deep bronze

Category

Vintage 1940s French Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

1940's French Hollywood Regency Green Iron Hot Air Balloon Candle Chandelier
1940's French Hollywood Regency Green Iron Hot Air Balloon Candle Chandelier

1940's French Hollywood Regency Green Iron Hot Air Balloon Candle Chandelier

Located in Opa Locka, FL

French 1940's Hollywood Regency Verde/ Green Iron Hot Air Balloon Chandelier. Candle Light, not

Category

Vintage 1940s French Hollywood Regency Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Iron

Painted Tole Flower Chandelier, France, circa 1940s
Painted Tole Flower Chandelier, France, circa 1940s

Painted Tole Flower Chandelier, France, circa 1940s

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Charming 1940s painted iron chandelier with six lights. Decorated with climbing, vine-like foliage

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Iron

1940's French Hollywood Regency Micro Crystal Beaded Hot Air Balloon Chandelier
1940's French Hollywood Regency Micro Crystal Beaded Hot Air Balloon Chandelier

1940's French Hollywood Regency Micro Crystal Beaded Hot Air Balloon Chandelier

By Maison Baguès

Located in Opa Locka, FL

1940's French Hollywood Regency Micro Crystal Beaded Hot Air Balloon Chandelier/ Pendant. I am told

Category

Vintage 1940s French Hollywood Regency Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal

Small French 1940s Chandelier in a Pewter Finish
Small French 1940s Chandelier in a Pewter Finish

Small French 1940s Chandelier in a Pewter Finish

Located in Buchanan, NY

This French chandelier from the 1940s is a striking combination of bronze and metal. Designed in a

Category

Vintage 1940s French Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze, Metal

French 1940s Ceramic and Copper Art Deco Chandelier
French 1940s Ceramic and Copper Art Deco Chandelier

French 1940s Ceramic and Copper Art Deco Chandelier

Located in Buchanan, NY

This French chandelier from the 1940s is a stunning amalgamation of green ceramic and copper. It

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Copper

French 1940s Bronze Six Armed Neoclassical Style Chandelier
French 1940s Bronze Six Armed Neoclassical Style Chandelier

French 1940s Bronze Six Armed Neoclassical Style Chandelier

Located in Buchanan, NY

This French chandelier, a stunning example of 1940s neoclassical style, is a testament to the

Category

Vintage 1940s French Neoclassical Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

1940s French Montgolfier Balloon Toleware Chandelier
1940s French Montgolfier Balloon Toleware Chandelier

1940s French Montgolfier Balloon Toleware Chandelier

Located in London, GB

1940s French Montgolfier balloon toleware chandelier. Wonderful and rare hand-painted ceiling

Category

Vintage 1940s French Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Tôle

Art Deco Chandelier with Glass Finial, France, 1940s
Art Deco Chandelier with Glass Finial, France, 1940s

Art Deco Chandelier with Glass Finial, France, 1940s

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Four-light Art Deco chandelier in brass and off-white painted metal. The four "candles" are in red

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

French Bronze and Crystal Eight -Light Chandelier, circa 1940s
French Bronze and Crystal Eight -Light Chandelier, circa 1940s

French Bronze and Crystal Eight -Light Chandelier, circa 1940s

Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen

An Art Deco bronze and crystal chandelier, France, circa 1940s. A wonderful hand-crafted eight

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Large Sunburst Wall or Ceiling Lamp from 1940's, France
Large Sunburst Wall or Ceiling Lamp from 1940's, France

Large Sunburst Wall or Ceiling Lamp from 1940's, France

Located in Barcelona, ES

Large Sunburst wall or ceiling lamp from 1940's, France. Hand hammered gilt forged iron with two

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf

1940’s French Silver Plated Light Fixture
1940’s French Silver Plated Light Fixture

1940’s French Silver Plated Light Fixture

By Maison Baguès

Located in New York, NY

A circa 1940’s French silver plated light fixture with interior lights and glass leaves

Category

Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Large French 1940s Wrought Iron & Tole Wear, Rock Crystal Chandelier
Large French 1940s Wrought Iron & Tole Wear, Rock Crystal Chandelier

Large French 1940s Wrought Iron & Tole Wear, Rock Crystal Chandelier

Located in London, GB

' wrought iron frame. Made in France in the 1940s, the craftsmanship is of a very high quality. Note the

Category

Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron

Unique French Copper Architectural Body Chandelier, 1940s, France
Unique French Copper Architectural Body Chandelier, 1940s, France

Unique French Copper Architectural Body Chandelier, 1940s, France

Located in Hagenbach, DE

Unique French copper Architectural body chandelier, 1940s, France Elegant design hanging lamp

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Copper

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "1940s French Chandelier", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

1940s French Chandelier For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the 1940s French chandelier you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each 1940s French chandelier for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, stone and glass. Your living room may not be complete without a 1940s French chandelier — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Each 1940s French chandelier bearing Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern or Neoclassical hallmarks is very popular. Maison Baguès, Atelier Petitot and Maison Jansen each produced at least one beautiful 1940s French chandelier that is worth considering.

How Much is a 1940s French Chandelier?

A 1940s French chandelier can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,792, while the lowest priced sells for $1 and the highest can go for as much as $68,500.

Finding the Right Chandeliers-pendant-lights for You

Chandeliers — simple in form, inspired by candelabras and originally made of wood or iron — first made an appearance in early churches. For those wealthy enough to afford them for their homes in the medieval period, a chandelier's suspended lights likely exuded imminent danger, as lit candles served as the light source for fixtures of the era. Things have thankfully changed since then, and antique chandeliers and pendant lights are popular in many interiors today.

While gas lighting during the late 18th century represented an upgrade for chandeliers — and gas lamps would long inspire Danish architect and pioneering modernist lighting designer Poul Henningsen — it would eventually be replaced with the familiar electric lighting of today.

The key difference between a pendant light and a chandelier is that a pendant incorporates only a single bulb into its design. Don’t mistake this for simplicity, however. An Art Deco–styled homage to Sputnik from Murano glass artisans Giovanni Dalla Fina, with handcrafted decorative elements supported by a chrome frame, is just one stunning example of the elaborate engineering that can be incorporated into every component of a chandelier. (Note: there is more than one lighting fixture that shares its name with the iconic mid-century-era satellite — see Gino Sarfatti’s design too.)

Chandeliers have evolved over time, but their classic elegance has remained unchanged.

Not only will the right chandelier prove impressive in a given room, but it can also offer a certain sense of practicality. These fixtures can easily illuminate an entire space, while their elevated position prevents them from creating glare or straining one’s eyes.

Certain materials, like glass, can complement naturally lit settings without stealing the show. Brass, on the other hand, can introduce an alluring, warm glow. While LEDs have earned a bad reputation for their perceived harsh bluish lights and a loss of brightness over their life span, the right design choices can help harness their lighting potential and create the perfect mood. A careful approach to lighting can transform your room into a peaceful and cozy nook, ideal for napping, reading or working.

For midsize spaces, a wall light or sconce can pull the room together and get the lighting job done. Perforated steel rings underneath five bands of handspun aluminum support a rich diffusion of light within Alvar Aalto's Beehive pendant light, but if you’re looking to brighten a more modest room, perhaps a minimalist solution is what you’re after. The mid-century modern furniture designer Charlotte Perriand devised her CP-1 wall lamps in the 1960s, in which a repositioning of sheet-metal plates can redirect light as needed.

The versatility and variability of these lighting staples mean that, when it comes to finding something like the perfect chandelier, you’ll never be left hanging. From the natural world-inspired designs of the Art Nouveau era to the classic beauty of Paul Ferrante's fixtures, there is a style for every room.

With designs for pendant lights and chandeliers across eras, colors and materials, you’ll never run out of options to explore on 1stDibs — shop a collection today that includes antique Art Deco chandeliers, Stilnovo chandeliers, Baccarat chandeliers and more.

Questions About 1940s French Chandelier
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A number of dresses were popular during the 1940s. Many women wore short-waist dresses with button necks, collars, fitted waists and full skirts. The classic A-lines with knee-length hems in red, white and blue colors were also a trend. Shop a collection of vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    In the 1940s, ladies wore clothes defined by clean and slim silhouettes. The jackets, blouses and sweaters often featured shoulderpads and had somewhat of a military feel. Most dresses were quite casual and pants and playsuits became part of a woman's everyday style.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021
    The most popular 1940s-style dress was the shirtwaist dress. It had a front opening like a men’s shirt, but with large buttons in the front of the dress, which was practical and easy to wear. The sleeves were short and necklines varied from shirt style to sweetheart and other necklines. Antique and vintage dresses from well-known designers are available on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    Claire McCardell was the designer often called the Mother of American Fashion in the 1940s. An American designer, she helped introduce women's sportswear to the United States and was particularly well-known for her bias-cut, loose-fitting Monastic dress. When World War II broke out in the 1940s, she designed pieces out of readily available materials like denim, calico and wool jersey, introducing new fabrics for women's clothing that would remain popular well after the close of the war. Many people point to McCardell as one of the first successful American fashion designers. Shop a collection of Claire McCardell apparel on 1stDibs.