1940’s in fashion for women in WW2. Trends, utility dresses, seamed stockings, peplum’s, shoulder pads, and the post war New Look.
Women in World War 2 left us an iconic and beguiling style which is forever celebrated in movies, books and magazines. Rationing encouraged women to “make do and mend”. With all resources going to the war effort, Fabric shortage meant longer skirts and less revealing evening dresses. Austerity was reflected by a more austere fashion in the early 1940’s. Makeup and hairstyles however never looked better.
Browse the 1940’s fashion trends as worn by women in that troubled decade. Find inspiration for your next 1940’s style dress, victory rolls hairstyle.
Now you know the highlights, dive in to our archive of 1940’s fashion history. Find out how women in WW2 lived, worked, served in the forces and of course dressed.
Hair Bangs. From the bobbed hair of the 1920’s, the bumper bangs of the 1940’s, to the pin up bangs and rockabilly hairstyles of today. What are Bangs? The term bangs originated from horse grooming, “Bangs”, coming from “bang tail”. In the USA, the description of hair being cut “bang off”, in to a fringe, …
How to do Victory Rolls Victory rolls – one of the most copied pinup hair dos of the 1940’s. Waves, pin curls, bumper bangs, pompadours, the 1940’s was all about up dos ! Who Invented Victory Rolls ? No one. Hair rolls of all kinds were a la mode in 1940. With the advent of …
Iconic Glasses and the Stars who Wore them – There is nothing like a trusty pair of glasses for an actor to assume a character. Oddly there have not been too many iconic performances by glasses on screen, and most of these are by men. For women, the total lack of vogue for eye wear …
Wear the Correct Eye Frames to match your fashion era – Whether you’re a vintage clothing fan or just love retro styles, it’s always fun to take a bit from the past and incorporate it into your wardrobe. Each decade had iconic styles from the well-tailored looks of the 30s all the way to flamboyant …
How to become a model in the 1940s. A rarely seen movie short called The Perfect Powers Girl by Minoco Productions. 1940’s Modelling Agencies – The Big Three Three names in the 1940’s dominated the fashion business. John Robert Powers, Harry Conover, and after the war, former Powers girl and Conover model Eileen Ford. The …
Hairstyles for Face Shapes – Six Actresses Follow these easy 1940’s hairstyles for face shapes. 1940’s hairdos applied by famous 1940’s actresses. Simple face contouring secrets to follow. R.K.O studio’s Loretta Francel shows you how to get those Hollywood curls. 1940’s Hairstyles for Round Faces – Lynn Bari Even if you’re the round-faced type like …
1940’s Hairstyles for Black Women during WW2 – From the Library of Congress, two films of 1940’s hairstyles for black women. Rare gems, promoting an inclusive, though not entirely pluralist vision of American women during WW2. There is precious little film footage of black women’s fashion and style during the 1940’s. Some years back we …
Naomi Parker Fraley – The “Real We Can Do It” Girl Revealed in 2009. The then 89 year old woman behind an iconic feminist poster finally stepped forward. But the true story of Rosie the Riveter is not what you think ! Rosie the Riveter Song Rosie began in a song. This popular video of …
Archive 1940’s evening dresses films What did style women wear in the 1940’s? Two friends discuss their dress, hair and makeup before the big dance occasion. Correctness in 1940’s evening dresses, like other matters of etiquette, is something which has to be learned. Watch the film below. 1940’s Evening Dresses – Fashion Trends One needs …
Shoes and Stockings for a new Silhouette in 1948 Shoes and stockings 1948. For the first time in 10 years, skirts are so long and full that women can no longer draw attention to their legs by just having them. A host of new shoes and colorful stockings have met the challenge. All designed to …