Lovers of vintage hairstyles can find plenty of inspiration on the internet or in the public library. 1940s posters, films and photos provide a wealth of insight into everyday and glamorous wartime hairdos.
Movies Made in the 1940s
The 1940s were a glamorous and profitable decade for the film industry. Propaganda films and lavish epics both served the war effort in their own way. A few films with great hairstyles include:
- Mrs Miniver – a good example of styles for mature as well as young women.
- His Girl Friday (1940)
- Casablanca (1942) – Set in 1941. Ingrid Bergman’s hairstyle was designed to look very natural; it is looser and less structured than many of the tighter pin-curled styles of the period.
Movies Set in the 1940s
The drama and visual aesthetics of WWII have appealed to filmmakers ever since the forties. It’s always worth checking the authenticity of hairstyles from films set in the 40s, but these films offer some glamorous hairstyle examples:
- Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow – Set in a dieselpunk dystopian alternate universe, this film reflects the clothing and hairstyles of the 40s.
- Mrs Henderson Presents (2005) – In a nude revue in London during the Blitz, many of the female stars of this film spend much of their time wearing nothing but 40s hairstyles!
- Pearl Harbor (2001)
- La Vita e Bella (Life is Beautiful) (1997) – Italian language.
- Charlotte Gray (2001)
World War II Archive Photos
The 1940s were a well-documented decade! Women in the services were frequently photographed to boost morale and encourage further volunteers. Many of these photos can be found in collections online – Google “homefront,” “Rosie the Riveter,” “Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps” (WAAC), “Women Airforce Service Pilots” (WASP) or “Women’s Auxiliary Air Force” (WAAF).
1940s Pinup Girls
Being a pinup girl in the 40s wasn’t just about seduction – it was about morale. Thousands of posters of come-hither young women were printed for the benefit of the troops. Perhaps the most famous is Betty Grable’s swimsuit poster, in which she wears an unusual upswept hairdo with pin curls on the top of her head. Other posters provide a look at the most glamorous hairstyles of the decade.
1940s Hairstyles on YouTube
YouTube is a great resource for hair styling tutorials in general – most people find it easier to copy a style they’ve seen being done, rather than following still images in a book. Plenty of vintage enthusiasts have contributed useful 1940s hair styling tutorials on YouTube, including instructions for pin curls, Victory Rolls and reverse rolls.
Books About 1940s Hairstyles
Daniela Turuditch’s 1940s Hairstyles: Tips and Tricks for Creating Authentic 1940s Hairstyles is one of many retro hair styling books. Other popular titles include The 1940s Look: Recreating the Fashions, Hairstyles and Makeup of the Second World War by Mike Brown; Creative Hair Styling: 1940s Swirls, Curls and Water Waving Techniques by Alfred Morris; and Vintage Styling: Retro Styles with Step-By-Step Techniques by Lauren Rennells.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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