Stewardess uniforms of the 1940s were heavily influenced by government restrictions on fabric during World War II. You can see some of that influence here in these military style suits which featured straighter fits, square shoulders, plain colors and small accessories like these hats. These designs reflected a global fashion trend at the time called the utility era, when designers around the world had to work within wartime clothing restrictions.
By the 50s and 60s, stewardess uniforms became more fashionable and stylized, coinciding with commercial air travel’s growing reputation for luxury. Famous designers worked with airlines to design new uniforms which reflected that era’s fascination with space travel and bold patterns.
The 1970s was known as the “Playboy Bunnies of the Sky” period in flight attendant uniforms, when airlines sexualized flight attendants with new uniform designs to sell plane tickets. A notable example from this time period was Southwest Airlines’ hot pants.
Now, flight attendant uniform designs lean toward a more professional look, not too far off the original utility era uniforms of the 1940s.