1940s Hairstyles and Fashion

1940s hairstyle and a shimmery silk blouse for women — Photo: Stokkete/Shutterstock

When I think of this era, I envision all the glamour. I'm not too far off, as Hollywood depicted the 1940s as a profoundly romantic and glamorous time, with the debut of iconic movies such as Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" and "A Streetcar Named Desire." Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby were crooning and swooning into the hearts of lovers everywhere. Comedians Jack Benny and Bob Hope were eliciting laughter in living rooms across the nation as people tuned in to their radios.

Tight sweaters were all the rage as boyfriends would pick up their sweethearts in zoot suits. Eyebrows were raised, and disapproving looks abounded as the two-piece bathing suit made its debut, met with many a distasteful frown. After all, what was this world coming to anyway?

Although the 1940s exuded feelings of passion and enchantment, it was not without turbulence. Most countries around the globe were embroiled in World War II to prevent Adolf Hitler from conquering the world. Women were finally allowed to wear pants and work in factories for the war effort, marking the beginning of the Cold War years between the United States and Russia.

In the US, most men were drafted into the Army and either married their sweethearts before heading off to war or upon their return, if they did return. They danced to the tunes of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Artie Shaw. These were the years of the big band sound, filled with saxophones and clarinets that ushered in swing and jitterbugging. Fashion was elegant, with ladies ensuring they were always adorned with gloves and exuded femininity, perfectly encapsulated by being "in the mood" as the music played.

Sultry Mae West, with her daring demeanor, famously quipped, "Why don't you come up and see me sometime?" The ladies of that age were scandalized by her boldness, while men adored her. The average salary during this decade was a mere $1,299, with the minimum wage set at only $0.43 per hour. Only 55% of people in the US had indoor plumbing. War bonds were sold, and food rationing was in effect. With the return of the GIs from the war, the baby boom began.

1940s hairstyle for long hair — Photo: The Everett Collection/Canva

The fashions of this era were practical, modest, elegant, and oh so classy. If I could sum up the fashion of that era in one word, it would be "mystery." Most of the time, men would use their imagination to dream about the women they had crushes on, as their clothing left much to the imagination. Hemlines were below the knees, and dresses and suits were meticulously tailored to fit the wearer's frame, always accentuated with shoulder pads.

Hats of all kinds were fashionable and always worn. Some hats had large brims cocked to one side, while others dipped in the front or were worn completely atop the crown, resembling the inside of a flower. Perhaps that was the intention at the time. Others had ribbons twined around them, adorned with large bows in the back or on the side, as women usually wore their hair up or away from their faces. When they married, they would wear a veil over their face with the crown directly atop their heads.

There were small hats with large feathers and large hats with small feathers or bows that sat directly atop their heads, almost touching their foreheads. Some hats had ties securing them to the back of their hair, while others featured small veils to add an air of mystery. Some looked more like very large hair ornaments than hats. Hats were considered a necessity, with most women not daring to leave their homes without covering their heads in some manner, even if it was with a tasteful decorative scarf.

Their hairstyles were equally modest yet captivating, just like their hats during this time. It was crucial for things to be orderly during these troubled years, reflected in their hairstyles and attire. Hair was washed with simple shampoo, styled with a thick styling agent, and set using clips, socks, fabric scraps, or, in the late 1940s, rollers (mostly clips). A hairnet was carefully placed over the head as they sat under a large tube-like hot dryer to dry. After removing the clips, vigorous brushing followed as the stylist shaped the hair close to the head.

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