1940s hairstyles

We have pictures of 1940's hairstyles and clothes along with informative articles to help you with your investigation into this time period.

Katy Perry with Retro 40s Style

Photograph by PR Photos / Janet Mayer

Katy Perry looks retro 40s fabulous while performing at NBC's Today Show Summer Concert Series on Friday. Her medium length just past the shoulders curls are pinned up on one side with a lime green bow that stands out against her very dark brown almost black locks. She has a full bang that is curled under which is an old school deal. She looks like a glamor doll whose image may have been painted on the side of a WWII airplane or something. She has a unique style all her own that's for sure.

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Retro hairstyles are really big right now and this one is from the decade of the 40s when victory rolls were all the rage. This young woman has her locks rolled toward the back as they cascade down her neck and they are secured into place with bobby pins. She is wearing a red hat that matches her dress and they are both true to form of that era.

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Here is a modern, yet classy, yet vintage 40s look that is perfect for a woman who is in touch with her feminine side. This gal has cascading waves and very dark brown hair with a side part and is bang-less. Her very fair skin is a nice contrast to her almost black mane and red lipstick. Her dress is reminiscent of days gone by as well.

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Oh my, a retro 40s glamour guy here in this photograph taken in about 1940 is standing in front of a vintage car sporting a dark pin stripe suit and wingtip shoes in black and white. His hair is slicked back with a side part. Men of this era typically wore their locks a little longer but neatly combed back so the ears and forehead would show. He is complete with pipe in teeth and certainly ready for a night out on the town.

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photograph is property of HairStyleTwist / all rights reserved

Women of the 1940's often wore their hair rolled (victory rolls) in one manner or another as we can see here in this photo taken in about 1946. This post WWII era was a time when hairstyles were really beginning to follow the trends of Hollywood stars. These were the days prior to modern amenities such as blow-dryers and curling irons, so it was necessary to be resourceful. Washing of the hair usually happened at night and then sections were wound around rollers and slept on overnight, or strands were coiled around the finger to form pin curls and secured with bobby pins. This is how women of that time acquired body and bounce and a foundation to create these now vintage hairdos. In the morning, styling began with removal of all apparatus. Then the locks were brushed and coaxed into place. This young gal has a side part and the bangs are rolled back and around and pinned. The side is pulled back and anchored behind the ear with the back left down to touch the collar.

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