Vintage furs from the 40′s and 50′s

Nothing in popular culture has conveyed the glamour of fur coats more than the old 1940's Hollywood movie stars and their full length fur coats. Although, there was a drawback of popularity in fur coats, especially in the United States in the early 1940’s due mostly to the beginning of World War II and materials shortages.

The elite socialites of the era remained wearing their decadent fur fashions. The glamorous movie actresses also helped to keep the desire for fur common. The fur coats that were still worn in the 1940’s were long, mostly three quarter length, and often times darker, striped fur. Fur capes became an envied item and regained its popularity on a massive scale in the late 40's when the war was over and the shortages of materials were no longer an issue. Americans prospered after the war, and fur coats were being bought by the truckload.

The 1950’s led way to a whole new era in fur coat fashions. A more adventurous style emerged, with brighter dyed colors, and bold new designs. Some exotic style of furs was used more often during the 1950's that hadn't been seen in past decades. Fur capes were also popular in the 1950's, but had a shorter length to them than their predecessors in the late 1940's. The ever popular swagger fur coats made their debut in the 1950's.

High profile women wearing fur were splashed all over the fashion magazines and every fashion conscious woman had to have a fancy fur coat in her closet by the end of the 1950's. A rise in popularity of automobiles gave way to the need for coats that were functional and easier to wear when riding in a car. A shorter style of fur coat became all the rage. The bolero was introduced added that needed modesty with a touch of glamour.

Oversized buttons and fancy lining was used in fur coats of the 1950's. In the 1950's, the role of a housewife and mother began to take a turn towards the workplace for some women. They began to exude a sense of power and glamour all at the same time by wearing luxurious fur coats.