The 1940s

The 1940s. The decade began with the world at war, and ended wearily. The United Nations was established and the welfare state came into being.

Early computers were invented, and familiar items like the microwave oven and Tupperware appeared for the first time. Film Noir was the movie style of the decade. Classic films like The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep were box office hits, and the careers of stars like Lauren Bacall and of course, Humphrey Bogart were launched. Other classic films from this decade were It’s A Wonderful Life, Citizen Kane, and Casablanca.

The fashions of the decade were very much split into during and after the war years – rationing hit fashion hard. Nylons were rarely available in the UK, and women pencilled seams onto their legs, after staining them with tea! Hair was held in knitted hairnets, called snoods, and ‘Victory rolls’ and the ‘Pompadour’ were popular styles…

Clothes were plain, shoulders were square, and skirts were straight…but in 1947, Christian Dior introduced the European woman to the ‘New Look’. This new style showed below mid-calf length full skirts, pointed busts, small waists and rounded shoulders. With this look hair was  worn much shorter.

Eyebrows were thicker. Nails were painted, with half moons left bare. Red was the lipstick choice of the day, and mascara was becoming massively popular. Complexions were rosy, with a natural hue.

Bombshells of this decade include Gene Tierney, Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth, Ann Sheridan, Linda Darnell, Hedy Lamarr and Betty Grable …