Dress code 1940s

Do you wonder if the 1940s revival is one big fancy dress party? Do you wonder why people would want to remember the austerity and danger of wartime and glamourize it?

1940s enthusiasts are people who are essentially paying their respects to individuals who lived during wartime, to honour their life and lifestyle and to experience as much as possible the modus vivendi of the period.

At Home Front History, they explain a little more and give you good guidelines towards preparing your 1940s character.

‘It’s one thing to ‘dress the part’ and another to be able to ‘re-enact’ the person convincingly in front the public. So a good starting point for every portrayal is research and the internet is probably the quickest and easiest way forward….However more and more, groups are diversifying and have members portraying a mix of civilian and service personnel as well as a mix of Allied and Axis forces. Welcome additions to the re-enacting community in recent years include Postmen, Vicars, Farmers and shopkeepers, so there is always the opportunity to portray a character other than those portrayed in larger numbers.’

Re-enactors usually build a character using period photographs, ephemera and personal items such as a ration book, bus ticket and paper money to create a real authentic feel. These can be easily recreated and reproductions are widely available.

Of course not all enthusiasts are re-enactors. Some people like to glam it up a bit and stray from rigid historical fact. For example clothing and clothing styles and periods can be mixed (40s and 50s), and adding a touch of 21st century or cheesecake pin up can be fun too.

Tootsie Rollers, 1940s entertainment girl group

You can find opportunities to strut your dress code 1940s at events and nights out throughout the year.

You can find out how to wear red lipstick, and wear red nail polish for these special events here.

You can also find details of Reenactment groups from Home Front History or The 1940s Society. Don’t forget to stay chipper and…

Keep your pecker up! xx

Finding other ways to feel feminine in wartime

Ever wondered if women in the 1940s really did bother with rolling their hair and painting on stocking seams during wartime?

The reason that women bothered to do this was austerity, something some people may be all too familiar with. Obviously during wartime there was a sense of community or ‘Blitz’ spirit- a common enemy, we were all in it together, all ready to ‘do our bit for the war effort’. For women, this meant finding another way to be feminine when they were working the land or in munitions, when they’d replaced skirts for dungarees, when dresses became utility dresses with no trimmings or frills, when clothes were made from your Dads old trouser suits or curtains. Remember that with life, there had become a sense of immediacy, living for the moment. All ‘girly girls’ today will understand that having your femininity whipped away from you is upsetting, it creates an imbalance, that it leaves a deficit. And so the women of the 1940s found other ways to create glamour where there was none. A stroke of red lipstick, browned legs, rolled hair, some red nail polish if you’d made it last and a cup of tea at a Lyons tea shop with a girlfriend – who could ask for more. Of course a twirl on the dance floor at the local Palais with a man in uniform was just the ticket!

So here’s a few pictures of how the common people (as opposed to Hollywood icons) did it!

Keep your pecker up! xx

Did women wear nail polish during wartime?

“There’s a ruddy war on”

“If you had been wearing nail polish the night before you only took it off your thumb”

The Wartime Memories of a wee WAAF 

I had never considered this particular question of regular women wearing nail polish during wartime before, only that movie icons, and brand adverts depict a range of colours that would match any professional lacquer today. So I decided to do a bit of reading! (Of course!)

In 1937, Revlon started selling nail polish in department stores. By 1940, Revlon offered an entire manicure line, and added lipstick to the collection, being the first brand to introduce matching nail polish and lipstick colours to consumers. During World War II, Revlon created makeup and related products for the US Army, which was honored in 1944 with an award for excellence. During wartime, some cosmetic companies manufactured for the war effort e.g. Revlon factories made first-aid kits and dye markers for the US Navy.

Generally, nails would be painted to match lips in various shades of red and pink although clear varnish, often used as a top coat could also be found. Other colours such as gold became more available after the war when the pressure of rationing started to ease.

So did women wear nail polish during wartime?

From the reading I have done, it seemed to depend on your ‘situation’ before the war. Girls who worked behind the make up counter in department stores continued to ‘find’ nail polish to wear, but it would be saved for special occasions. Women who were billeted to work in munitions and on the land – well it just wouldn’t have been appropriate or worth while. Nail polish did become increasingly hard to come by, as less and less polish was manufactured as glycerin was a main component used in vital munitions, and generally, items that were imported became increasingly hard to obtain where supply ships were bombed and lost at sea . A lot of reading points to how nails were manicured, rounded tips and half moon manicures. Again I think this depended on your ‘situation’. I very much doubt that women had the time or the inclination to worry about obtaining a half moon manicure, which is actually quite difficult and time consuming to achieve successfully! I think a lot of the notion of what nails looked like came from the movie industry of the day, and without a doubt I would imagine the likes of Jane Russell, Ann Sheridan and Rita Hayworth to be sporting a blood red rounded tip (half moon) manicure!

 This question of wartime, women and cosmetics is an enduring one. There are endless blog posts about it (including mine) as well as specialist 1940s Beauty teams for 1940s events and vintage fairs. This may be because Churchill engendered a notion of fighting the enemy by keeping our morale up and looking our best. Magazines and newspapers had an endless flow of hints and tips for scrimping and making your powders and lipsticks last longer. Glamour was propagated as a way of lifting the wearer from the awful reality of war, not just for herself, but for her soldier too.

How much we take for granted the availability of our cosmetics and other sundry feminine items.

'still time for charm'

Boots Number 7

Keep your pecker up! xx

Doing your bit for the war effort

‘I would caution you all to remember that it is your duty to your country to give our brave soldiers what comfort you can.A cup of tea, a gentle touch, a listening ear – all of these things are important.’ *

This may be a fictional quote, but the work of the WRVS (formerly WVS) founded in 1938 by Stella Isaacs, Marchioness of Reading as a British women’s organization to aid civilians, and the women ARP wardens also founded in 1924, was a significant contribution to the Homefront war effort.

Are you doing your bit
 for the war effort?

Women ARP (Air Raid Protection) Wardens

WVS Mobile Canteen

When the men came home in their hurried droves from the beaches of Dunkirk in June 1940, it was the WVS who went to out to comfort them in what little way they could. These were brave young women amongst others,  who had never faced a man in such physical as well as mental distress. Churchill described the men of  The Battle of Dunkirk as “the whole root and core and brain of the British Army”. In his We shall fight on the beaches speech on the 4th June 1940, he hailed their rescue as a “miracle of deliverance”.

The WVS provided essential evacuation services for civilians from urban areas. They also played a significant role in the collection of clothes for the needy (the bombed out families), as well as providing food and drink around the clock. The mobile canteens were a salvation to those needing a warm drink and friendly face, but the WVS also helped thousands of people who were injured or who had lost their homes in the bombings not only in the London Blitz, but also in other cities. As a consequence of this the WVS also set up Information points known as IIPs (incident inquiry points) so that civilians could find out about lost loved ones.

It wasn’t just these women volunteers doing their bit for the war effort though. Every woman who wrote to her man, every woman who made a meal from rations, every woman who waved goodbye to her child as part of the evacuation initiative, every woman who continued to go to work, or work the land as a land girl, or work in ammunitions factories, or work across the country in jobs left vacant by fighting men, were doing their bit to defeat Hitler.

And then there were the women who joined the fighting services…

Keep your pecker up! xx

*Goodnight Sweetheart, Annie Groves

In the face of adversity…1940s glamour

1940s domestic telephone

In the midst of so much hardship, and threat to life, how did the girls of the ’40s manage to ‘keep their pecker up’? A little bit of motivation from Churchill, to show Hitler that we could still carry on, work hard, look beautiful, fall in love, and show strong moral fibre!

Goldwyn Girls in the UK, 1946

1940s fashion

Drawing on 'stockings'

Sometimes, I think women of that generation are formidable, stoic creatures. They endured. Life was more immediate, and it was also at times towards the end of the war, a lot about making do and getting on with it. We have the beauty of hindsight, but they didn’t know in 1939 how long they would have to persevere. When I’m feeling a little blue, I reach for the red lipstick or some glitter nail polish. What did women of the ’40s used to reach for?

Keep your pecker up! xx

Wartime Tea Cosies and Aprons

The history of the tea cosy begins when tea was introduced to Britain in the 1660s; the first documented use of a tea cosy in Britain was in 1867. It was probably the Duchess of Bedford who, by establishing the activity of afternoon tea in 1840, would have brought the popularity of the tea cosy. Afternoon tea was the time for practicing social etiquette, decorum, gossip and society news. And bearing in mind all of this, the teapot would get cold, which would have at times cut short some tea parties. And so, the tea cosy came about.

Tea cosies then flourished during the late 19th century, where they appeared in many households across Britain, motivated by the obsession of decorating and covering objects characteristic of the Victorian era.

The tea party would be served at a table, often in the garden in clement weather, and the matriarchal figure would pour everyone’s tea. In her absence another lady would perform this role, which is where the expression “shall I be mother?” originated. With all the ladies absorbed in chattering and exchanging tit-bits of news at tea time the forgotten tea pot would often go cold. To prevent this eventuality from curtailing the tea party, the tea cosy became a usual sight on the tea table.

Aprons are probably a more obvious item. Practical, functional, and often very pretty accessories, the wartime apron that began as a frugal wrap, became frilly and floral as rationing on material was lifted.

And yes, women really did go to the trouble to look glamorous in their aprons!

So remember your blitz spirit ladies, and serve your tea proudly in an apron and with a tea cosy.

Keep your pecker up! xx

Vintage is not necessarily a synonym for Lace & Cupcakes

Calling all wedding event
 organisers!
You are cordially invited... 

This year I have taken my Hello Nails! Pop Up Nail Parlour to several ‘vintage’ wedding fayres. I can’t tell you how disappointed I have been! At all of the fayres I have been to, vintage has appeared to be a synonym for ‘lace’ and I wonder why organisers have used the term ‘vintage’ as an all encompassing vogue for pulling in the brides-to-be et al, when actually it’s a regular wedding event pitch. There has been a distinct lack of imagination at all of them!

So imagine how pleased I was to discover this little treasure! A bi-monthly gem of creative vintage brides showcasing unique weddings and wedding fair.

Things that jump out at me as being distinctly game for a creative vintage wedding fayre are:

For the Bride & Groom –

War Bride, Pin Up, Steampunk, Themed Era i.e 1950s, Rockabily or Burlesque.

And for the accessories –

Dried Petal Confetti, Totem tents, Tattoos!, Irregular Choice shoes, Swing dresses and Petticoats, Glass camping lanterns, Paper flowers and Lollipop cake bouquets.

Lollipops!

Butterflies!

A red & black bouquet!

There is so much room for creativity, individuality and expression, that there is only one way to do your wedding and that should be uniquely.

A Rock and Roll Bride and her Groom

A Pin up Bride and her Psychobily Groom

A 1940s War Bride Wedding

So, when you organise a creative vintage wedding fayre, ask me to pop along. I’ll be looking out for something unique!

And Brides-to-be…

Keep your pecker up! xx

The Bletchley Circle

Can I recommend…

The Bletchley Circle ITV Drama

Written by Guy Burt, this unique drama is the tale of four courageous women with extraordinary puzzle solving skills that were utilised at Bletchley during World War II, reunited 9 years later, coming together to help solve another mystery.

Set in 1952, Susan, Millie, Lucy and Jean have returned to their normal lives, modestly setting aside the part they played in producing crucial intelligence, which helped the Allies to victory and shortened the war. Normal lives, aided of course, by the political ties that bind women to a certain lifestyle, alongside the Official Secrets Act 1911.

When Susan discovers a hidden code behind an unsolved murder she is met by skepticism from the police. She quickly realises she can only begin to crack the murders and bring the culprit to justice with her former friends.

The Bletchley Circle paints a vivid portrait of post-war Britain in this fictional tale of unsung heroes.

Did you know?

1941 The National Service Act is passed introducing conscription for women. All unmarried women between the ages of 20 and 30 are called up for war work. It is later extended to include women up to age 43 and married women, though pregnant women and those with young children can be exempt.

1948 The introduction of the National Health Service (NHS) gives everyone free access to health care. Previously, only the insured, usually men, benefited.

Keep your pecker up! xx

The Hands of Today (1941) can be both Beautiful and Busy!

A Second World War call to women to work!

During the Second World War, women were mobilised to join the war effort in ways that would previously have been unreachable to them. The women of the ’40s were usually housewives and mothers. Finding themselves working the land, working in munitions, ferrying military planes between airfields and flying barrage balloons, these women proved themselves courageous, and competent. However, in a rebuke against Hitlers morale busting bombings in particular between September 1940 and May 1941, these women were determined to look their best while they worked! Wearing flying jackets and red lipstick, dungarees and Victory rolls, the women of the war effort were both beautiful and busy!

It is remarkable that these women rose to the call at this time. Women who were not considered competent enough to vote  until 1928 (over the age of 21) were now being asked to manufacture bombs, fly Spitfires and Hurricanes, and become members of our Armed Forces.

All efforts by the women of Great Britain contributed toward Victory in Europe. By 1945, more than 2.2 million women were working in the war industries, building ships, aircraft, vehicles, and weaponry. Women also provided logistic support for soldiers and entered professional areas of work that were previously the preserve of men. In the Allied countries thousands of women enlisted as nurses serving on the front lines. Thousands of others joined defensive militias at home and there was a great increase in the number of women serving in the military. From the Womens Voluntary Service to women ARP wardens, on the Homefront, women were proving to be a veritable force .

All jobs were important…

Civil Defence…

And in all of this work it only took 5 minutes to give yourself a manicure.

These women were the beautifully presented, professionals of the Second World War, and if they could do it then, we can do it now.

Girls…

Keep your pecker up! xx

For some inspiration, why not read Spitfire Women of World War II by Giles Whittell (non-fiction), or You Are My Sunshine by Katie Flynn (fiction).

It’s your duty to be beautiful…

It’s 1941.

“It’s your duty to be beautiful…

The hands of today can both work and be beautiful!”

And keeping yourself ‘beautiful’ meant that you were not giving in to the morale busting bombing by Hitler!

Working in ammunitions or engineering ‘filling the gaps’ left by our Fighting Forces.

Gifted, determined and astonishingly brave, the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary were the unsung heroines of World War II. Though not allowed to fly in combat, what they did was nearly as dangerous. Unarmed and without instruments or radios, they delivered planes to the RAF bases from which male pilots flew into battle. At the mercy of the weather and long-range enemy aircraft, fifteen of those women died – among them legendary Amy Johnson.

Spitfire woman World War II

Giles Whittell

Women stepped up to the challenges…

Our women went out fighting, flying spitfires and barrage balloons, fighting fires and nursing the injured as well as toiling the land and making munitions…

All of this with a slick of lipstick and polished nails!

Max Factor 1941

So girls, it’s your duty to be beautiful! If they could do it in the Blitz, we can certainly do it now! Most of all, remember to…

Keep your pecker up! xx