In retrospect, I should have posted this weeks ago… but alas, I totally forgot Halloween was right around the corner! Silly me… This post was inspired by an email I recently received from Lucy. She wrote:
“I’m going to a 1940s themed murder mystery party this weekend, I know NOTHING about 1940s fashion except what I see on the Internet…I own a pencil skirt which I see may be helpful, but I don’t know what to do with it! Any suggestions?“
She also explained that she had a lot of pieces from stores like Gap in her closet, and wanted to work with those basics to craft a look, if possible. I wrote back with a handful of ideas, but thought that considering the Halloween holiday is right around the corner, this idea of a last-minute costume might be helpful to others as well! The idea is to pull together basics you probably own, and add a little 40s glamour to the look! It’s a quick, easy and inexpensive way to dress up for Halloween…
Although clothes that fit within the style of the period help, hair and makeup are two things that really evoke the look of the 1940s. The first thing I love to do when looking to dress up is browse for inspiration images (I have a ton on my hard drive; it’s kind of sad!). Here are a handful of illustrations and photographs from the era to get the ball rolling:
Tutorials, especially of the video sort, have been popping up with more and more frequency online. These are just a few of my favorites that I’ve discovered (very YouTube heavy–but I’m a visual gal, so watching other people do their hair and makeup makes more sense!):
Hairstyles & How-To’s
30-Second Faux Victory Rolls from Super Kawaii Mama
1940s Hair Tutorial by me
Pinup Hair How-To from ilovegerardo
Dita von Teese Hair Tutorial by ilovegerardo (not strictly vintage, but no one can deny Dita’s 40s inspiration!)
Rosie the Riveter Look by ilovegerardo
1940s Hair Articles
1940s Hairstyles and Setting Instructions
Makeup Tutorials
Classic Pinup Makeup Tutorial from supervixen465
Dita von Teese Makeup Tutorial (perfect for a very pale, illustrated pinup look)
Classic Pinup from sarahvictor
Glittery Gold Pinup Look by monroemisfitmakeup (a fun, fantasy 40s look–especially suited for a night out!)
Up next: 1940s Outfits!!!
YAY!! I love you for this
I’ve been wanting to find some books or websites on 40′s- 50′s fashion, hair and makeup (not for halloween but just for me in general!) for some time now. I’m waiting with bated breath for the next installments…
OMG! I just purchased this lovely vintage hat and I was looking to become a 40s pin up girl for Halloween. Thank you!!!
oh wow! thanks for all the links! i’d probably want to do this every day though…
are you going to show us your halloween costume?
Thanks so much for the links, Casey! I’ve been looking for some good (easy) vinage hair tutorials. I had short hair all my life so am pretty incompetent when it comes to putting it up, but I think even I can handle some of these. Now I just can’t wait for my fringe to grow out!
Thank you!!! In the related videos for the 30-second victory rolls there is a clip of a woman doing victory rolls with short hair! I didn’t know it could be done and I’m so excited to give it a try. I completely agree with the lovely thoughts above, these are great styles for everyday!
Ooh, lovely – nothing like a good ‘inspiration board’! This should come in useful for a Hallowe’en Ghost Tour punt I’ve got coming up… Thank you! ^^