Here we look at the essential elements that make classic 1940s hairstyles, like rolls, pomps, curls, and waves. There were many ways to combine these elements. We also take a look at what influenced the hairstyles of the 1940s and some of the common hair accessories seen during this era.
Influences on the Hairstyles
Film Stars
Actresses such as Betty Grable, Anna Neagle, Veronica Lake, Dorothy Lamour, Rita Hayworth, and Ava Gardner epitomised glamour during the 1940s. They provided escapism from the everyday dreariness of war.
The influence film stars had on the public didn’t escape the notice of officials in the United States of America. Long hair was hazardous where machinery was operated, like in factories and on farms, and too many accidents were happening.
In the hope of encouraging women to cut their hair short, thus reducing the risk of being injured or worse at work, the officials asked Veronica Lake to cut her trademark “peekaboo” long locks. Ms Lake kindly obliged.
World War II
Wartime influenced how working women wore their hair. Being in fields, factories and the armed services, women needed styles that would not get caught in machinery or be in the way in general.
Those in the armed services had rules to follow – for example, hair had to be off the collar while on duty. A hat was part of the uniform, and hair had to be appropriately dressed. Shorter hairstyles suited this type of work.
In the UK, washing hair was a luxury because products like shampoo were hard to obtain, and water was rationed. Scarves protected the hair from dirt when working in fields and factories. They also hid a bad hair day.
After the War
After the war ended, there was a gradual shift away from utility clothing and the sometimes practical hairstyling of the war. New, more luxurious fabrics, hair products and makeup slowly became available, though some rationing was in place until 1954 in the UK. People wanted to leave the drabness of war behind them.
Christian Dior’s revolutionary “New Look” in 1947 embraced the new fabrics and ignored rationing in favour of a desire to move away from wartime skimping. His fabric-hungry designs influenced fashion and designers for years to come.
Hairstyles became looser and less structured looking. Victory rolls and pompadours were taking a backseat to sleekly waved hair.
Magazines
Pictures in magazines showed very groomed and sleek film stars. Their hairstyles would be admired and copied by women as much as possible.
However, the everyday working-class woman would not have the time, money or personal hairstylist to spend on looking immaculate, especially during the war years. Nonetheless, they made the best of themselves and always managed to look well turned out.
Women’s 1940s Hairstyles in General
Hairstyles in the 1940s were as varied as the women wearing them. And hair did not rigidly follow a dictated fashion, as seen in some previous decades. For example, hair could be short, long or mid-length and dressed according to an individual’s situation, tastes, and hair type.
Whatever hairstyle a woman chose, hair was always feminine, soft, and dressed off and