30s and 40s styles help?

Question

We are having a WWII Day at school, and the girls and guys all like to dress up in the styles of the 1930s and '40s.
I need help. I need to know what styles and patterns were "in" then. There's the polka dot, but EVERY girl is going to be dressed like that, so preferably something else...?

I need help with the dress & shoes, and ESPECIALLY hair and makeup. Please be as specific as possible and post links of dresses/hair/makeup/shoes/whatever. :)

If it helps, I'm 5'4, 100 pounds, have really dark brown hair & hazel eyes... and this "day" is probably going to be sometime in March/April-ish. Please and a HUGE thanks.

Answer 1

Here's a timeline fashion site specifically for your time period:

http://www.skaro.com/1940s_1.html

Some vintage clothing:

http://www.swingdanceshop.com/vintage.html

One thing to try-- that I do when I want accurate clothes history-- is to go to Ebay, click on "Collectibles", then click on "Photographic Images" and, in your case, "Pre-1940 Antique", and it will load up old photographs people are trying to sell. You can type in a search date, say 1930's, and narrow your search or just browse (since not all photos are labelled with a date). You can often find some really interesting old photographs with obviously the correct clothing and hairstyles of the period. Some of the photos you can enlarge to get a really close-up look. You can probably also narrow a search by using "woman" or "women", since you're looking for women's styles. (word of warning: the occasional nude photo is also sold, so be prepared for it to be listed alongside others).

You can also do a search engine search for "Vintage Clothing". That will net you some sites that auction and sell old clothes. Some are not too expensive, like this cute dress:

http://www.hookedonvintage.com/home/hov/page_1177_7/classic_vintage_1940s_turquoise_day_dress_by_kay_d.html

Add some pumps or saddle shoes and a cute hat and white gloves and you're all set.

Or maybe you could rent a Navy WWII outfit like the WAVES wore. That would be impressive and cute.
Here's a site with some army WWII clothing for women:

http://www.wwiiimpressions.com/womens.html

Some sites will make you reproductions of certain outfits.

Renting old movies would help. Rent any Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movie. She had the cutest 30's clothes. Search engine searches for her, Katherine Hepburn, Judy Garland, Hedy Lamarr, Lana Turner, etc. would probably turn up some photographs of all of them in the height of fashion.

Check your phonebook for vintage clothing stores in your area. Some of them have hidden gems that aren't too expensive. Do you have any grandparents living? Sometimes they have kept some old clothes in trunks or storage.

Also, vintage clothes are sometimes sold on Ebay. Some really cute dresses that are not expensive at all, but you have to keep up with the bidding.

Answer 2

1940's Elegant Hair Style
Very easy to acheive

Quick Tip

Create a part horizontally across the back of the head and about two inches above the ears. Pull hair onto top of head and secure with a coated elastic band. Begin twisting the hair.

Above the forehead, lift the hair and push the section forward to create a roll.

Lift the roll and gently push the tail of the twist under the roll.

Secure the hair in place by pinning securely.

Cover the pins with a hair ornament that is fitting for the time period.
The remaining hair can be twisted into a braided knot on the nape of the neck if length permits. If hair is shorter, the bottom can be curled using the pin curl method.

********************

Here are websites to obtain true period patterns if you want to make your own outfit or get ideas.

www.pastpatterns.com/1940.html

www.rustyzipper.com - input year you are looking for

Just below knee and big shoulder pads along with shirt waist button down dresses were the fad. As well as 2 piece suits

Girls wore sling back pumps or lace up pumps. Don't forget -

SEAMED stockings! RED lipstick and Rouge on your cheeks

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 3

Rent any Bogart and Becall movie ever made. Maltese Falcon or Casablanca would be good.
Here are some links to costumes from the 30s and 40s...
http://www.costumegallery.com/1930.htm

This one has links to movies that have costumes from that period. http://www.costumes.org/mwbh/100pages/19301940_period.htm

http://www.fashion-era.com/C20th_costume_history/1930_silhouettes_1.htm
This one has some great line drawings of clothing from several eras. Really nice website.

This is a site with photos of actual vintage clothing from different eras. Some 30s and 40s stuff. Couture and upscale clothing.

Similar idea, but more common, much less expensive clothes...
http://www.tias.com/6361/InventoryPage/1242762/1.html

Go to the library and check out a couple of costuming or fashion history books. Look at famous people who lived then, look at their photos. First ladies and royalty from then are a good place to start.

Almost forgot, thrift stores and yard or estate sales can be a great place to pick up vintage clothing really cheap. Once you know what you are looking for, it's like a treasure hunt. Good luck with this.
You are putting a lot of planning into this, I hope it's a lot of fun for you.

Answer 4

Not at all, past fashions keep coming back in style all the time, a lot of them because they were so amazing. (And remember some classic looks like the little black dress never go out of style). Just make sure you don't go too far with styling so that it looks like a costume and also keep it modern a bit by adding new trends into your wardrobe. Also go on Polyvore for more ideas, I attached a link to a modern Audrey Hepburn outfit for inspiration as well as a more classic, casual one.

Answer 5

look up the word boufont. My grama used to wear pretty flowered dresses with big shoulder pads.Shoulder pads are an absolute must.also some bright yellows with black trim were common.The makeup is bright red or orange lipstick.If It blinds you tone it down with a touch of clear gloss.They werent so much into eye shadow so keep it light. eyeliner and mascara are really good.a touch of blush and put your hair in the biggest curlers you can find about the size of small juice cans put mousse lightly on your hair before the you put them in .Then get some big clips or fancy hair barrets jeweled ones would be nice.You can get them at walmart and then pull your hair up on both sides .Not all of it more like big peices of it. You will look so great, best wishes.Shoes simple black with a buckle if you can find them but plain old pumps are fine. There was a nylon shortage so my grama said they used to draw a black line up the backs of their legs so it would look like the seam of nylons that they had back then.The used eyeliner.But alot of your crowd may not know about that.

Answer 6

Go to this site:
www.costumegallery.com/1940
Then select link to :

Pattern and Images from 1940-1949: Sense and Sensibility Site

If POPUPS are BLOCKED press control key at the same time as you click on the link. There are some great patterns that you should be able to modify some clothes that you may already have.
Other links available :

Handbags: Then and Now

Shoes: 1935-1945

Have a great time !

Answer 7

You can START by going to the local video store, and renting a few Hollywood movies of the era. Most will be b&w but it gives you a starting point.

Good luck !

Answer 8

Make sure your bra is like high, pointed cones! Seriously! That's how they were back then--at least in the 40s. I don't even know if they wore bras in the 30s, just camesols.