Final answer:
World War II greatly influenced fashion by necessitating practicality and conservation of materials, which led to simpler, more functional clothing styles. The war's social impact on women's roles was reflected in their fashion choices, transitioning from flapper styles to workwear like pants and overalls symbolizing new roles and freedoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influence of World War II on fashion was significant and multifaceted, reflecting changes in society, economy, and technology during that period. As women entered the workforce to fill roles vacated by men who had gone to war, practicality became a fashion imperative. The need for conservation of materials for the war effort led to simpler and more functional clothing styles. For example, the rationing of fabrics meant that clothes needed to be made with less material, leading to shorter skirts and the decline of corset usage, which in turn contributed to the more relaxed flapper style of the 1920s becoming mainstream.
World War II also had a profound impact on women's roles in society, which was reflected in their fashion choices. Women wore pants and overalls while working in factories, symbolizing their new roles and the blurring of traditional gender lines in clothing. Post-war, this newfound freedom and confidence were encapsulated in the fashion world with more comfortable clothes, and an unwillingness to return to restrictive pre-war attire.
Moreover, the war's social implications, like the demand for greater rights by ethnic minorities and women, were paralleled in the changing fashion trends. The iconic 'Rosie the Riveter' look represented the era's shift towards functional yet empowered women's fashion. The rise of flappers and the subsequent shift to practical workwear for women during World War II reflected a society in transition and a fashion industry that adapted to the needs and values of its time.