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| The influence of World War II - particularly the presence of military uniforms - had a profound influence on the shape of women's fashion. The silhouette, similar to a soldier's, emphasized broad, often padded shoulders and narrow hips. The War Production Board initiated Law 85 (L-85) to restrict the use of wool, silk, cotton and nylon. Women's suits could not exceed 72 inches wide at the hem and jackets could not exceed 25 inches in length. Because nylon stockings were unavailable, women resorted to leg make-up to cover their legs, and drew a seam line up the back with eye pencil. In an act of patriotism, America launched and embraced the opportunity to "Make-Do-and-Mend" and began recycling outdated or worn fashions into usable garments. Movies increasingly served as important conveyors of fashion. The underwire bra created a new "uplifted" silhouette, demonstrated by the "busty" actresses Jane Russell and Lana Turner.
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L: Wool blend novelty knit, plastic buttons. Museum of the Rockies Collection.
R: Rayon satin, mink trim. Museum of the Rockies Collection.
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| Rayon, nylon, elastic, wire, hook and eye. c. 1940. Courtesy of the Wyoming State Museum, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.
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