Utility fashions
During and after the Second World War commodities and raw materials were in short supply. Available resources had to be used for the war effort first. This led to rationing of food, clothing and household items.
Rationing needed to be acceptable to the public as well as fulfilling its purpose of reducing consumption. In the case of clothing, British designers created Utility clothing that was made to tight specifications, but was still stylish.
Speaker for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Martin Olney will be looking at how the Utility scheme, government policy and the Make Do And Mend campaign affected everyday living and in particular the way people managed to dress themselves and their families on a budget.