The Nineteen forties were dominated by the war. It shortly became obvious that the war would engulf more of the world and last longer than World War I.

During this period little thought was given to arts and culture, all efforts were focused on winning the war. Films, novels and fashions either supported the war or tookinfluence from military ideas. U.S. rationing rules limited the height of shoe heels to one inch and allowed for only six color choices. In 1948, with the war over, high class fashion was back in vogue along with more expensive designer shoes.

By varying the type of leather used, the colour, and style detailing, the same type of shoes could be manufactured for either dress or casual wear. Oxfords, Broguesand moccasinswere the most popular styles throughout the forties. During this period, college students took to wearing sports clothing. Initially, this consisted of spectator shoesand saddle shoes, but more casual styles eventually made their way into fashion.

The war set the tone for womenssimple style footwear.

The cork-soled, covered platform, and the wedgewere high in fashion. However, during wartime the platform and the wedge were stripped of their covering, leaving the cork exposed.

For walking, low chunky heels and wedges with laced and buckled uppers were quite popular. Chunky trimmings and peep toes decorated the very popular court shoe.

After the war and rationing ended, light revealing shoes appeared very swiftly. These gave very little support to the foot. In 1947-8, the shoes had a rounded shape; the toes being less chiseled. Wedge soles were still popular, but much thinner than during the war. Strapped shoes appeared, and all kinds of sandalsand peep-toes reached a height of popularity after the long years of sensible footwear ended. Velvet, kid, colouredleathers, bright satins, and bronze (a burnished leather) were all popular.