The 1910s

The 1920s

The 1930s

The 1940s

The 1950s

The 1960s

The 1970s

The 1980s

The 1990s

The 1940s

1940s Part two

1940s Music

What is slang? Slang is awesome and slang is ridiculous. Slang is the bee’s knees, the cat’s pajamas, and the cat’s meow. Slang is far out, groovy, and even dynamite. Slang is bad and sweet, hot and cool, and hip and crazy. Slang is also fresh, fly, and phat. Those are seventeen different slang ways of saying that slang is good, but what is slang? According to the dictionary, slang is an informal vocabulary whose meanings may quickly change. A slang expression may suddenly become widely accepted and just as quickly outdated. In the 1920s, for example, twenty-three skidoo was a trendy way of saying “to leave quickly.” Today the phrase is rarely used and even more rarely understood. Sometimes slang provides a name for a newly developed object. For example, walkie- talkie is the popular name for the small two-way radios that members of the American military used during World War II. It is much simpler to call the gadget a walkie-talkie than a “portable, two-way communication device.”Slang is often created as an in-group language. It separates the group from outsiders and creates a sense of community. Teenagers have developed their own slang for decades. Young people use these words and phrases as a way to set themselves apart from older generations, who are considered old-fashioned and out of style. People draw most slang terms from popular culture, such as music, books, and film. Slang from the 1940s is no exception. At the beginning of the decade, many popular slang terms came from the jazz and swing music community. The language that the musicians used, and the lyrics of their music, influenced the way teenagers spoke. This is similar to the way that rap music can reflect the youth culture of today. Words like cool, groovy, and hep can be traced back to musicians of the 1940s. When America entered World War II in 1941, military expressions began to creep into everyday vocabulary. Servicemen and -women created slang expressions, such as a full bird to represent a full colonel, or military acronyms such as WAC or WAVE. These terms appeared in letters home or in newspaper articles and radio reports about the war. Civilians quickly came to recognize and use military slang in daily speech. Today, slang can be heard almost everywhere. Some slang is unique to the area which it is being used. Whether it's a conversation between friends at a New York City coffee shop or neighbors living in apartments in Houston talking in the halls, slang is likely to find it's way into the discussion. Below are a few slang expressions from the 1940s, drawn from popular music and a 1943 army slang dictionary. See how many you can recognize. Are any of these terms still used today? Have their meanings stayed the same, or have they changed? If you want to be a hep cat or kitten, the next time you flap your lips, use some of these slang terms, and you will be cooking with gas. Above my pay grade—Don’t ask me Armored heifer—canned milk Bandit—enemy fighter Bathtub—motorcycle sidecar Cook with gas—to do something right Dead hoofer—poor dancer Flap your lips—talk Flip your wig—to lose control of yourself Gammin’—showing off GI—Government Issue, an American service member Gone—knowledgeable Hairy—old, outdated Hen fruit—eggs Hep cat/kitten or cool cat/kitten—hip person Hi sugar, are you rationed?—Are you going steady? Hi-de-ho—hello Hit the silk—to bail out, use a parachute I’m going fishin’—I’m looking for a date Killer-diller—good stuff Licorice stick—clarinet Motorized freckles—insects Mud—coffee Since social trends dictate fashion, the events of World War II would change the world of fashion forever. In 1939, Germany invaded Poland and France and Great Britain declared war on Germany and this sparked the Second World War that would rule the lives of people for the next 6 years. Because of the war, Germans considered moving the French couture houses to Berlin. Since the United States entered the war in December of 1941, which is more than two years later the war begun, the travel difficulties between Europe and continental America meant that American designers would receive more attention from the press. Before this, Paris fashion trends were followed in the States. 1940s fashion was affected by the fact that many factories were given to producing military supplies with fashion taking second place. This means fashion houses worked on restrictions on how much fabric per garment could be used. As soon as Paris was liberated, fashion editors once again started to showcase their French designs again in magazines. The Paris couture once again became the leader when Christian Dior showcased his ‘New Look’ of lengthened and widened skirts, a move that was a reaction to the deprivation of fabric that was experienced during the war years. American designers had also begun to be more prominent and to see them take a place in the world of fashion. In an effort to comply to the war yardage restrictions imposed on garments, American designers began to create a new 1940s fashion of short skirts and short jackets that were less than 25 inches in length. This new fashion trend of the 40s replaced the long flowing gowns that had emerged in the previous decade. This conservative look would remain fashionable through multiple seasons. Classic sportswear styles took hold on college campuses and were adopted by all levels of society and age groups. The 1940s fashion would also see the emergence of separates that would create the illusion of more outfits. This was seen with the transition of the separate pieces in women fashion, the bra and the girdle. The end of the severe rationing of metal would also see the emergence of leather shoes studded with ‘nailheads’, a sign of opulence and luxury. Interestingly, the classic look created in the 1940s fashion era never seems to go out of style. Wonder why?       Retro housewife "We spent the 80's and the 90's trying to do it all. Now we are tired, overworked and want to offer a different life plan. We want to stay home, take care of our kids, our husbands and give them the attention they deserve." This site may not be for everyone, but if you want to be a retro housewife, you have come to the right place! Welcome!   To give your Retro home decorating theme a well thought out design style, you want to add a few decorative accessories. Think about using fun retro pieces that enhance the fun and funky ambiance of yesteryear. Adding accessories like wall art, knick-knacks and pillows can help compliment your retro décor. Wall art is an important element in any interior design, but your room will only look sharp if you situate it the right way. When hanging individual pieces, display the center of the piece at eye level as the focal point. If you have a number of prints to place on one wall, work out the design on the floor first to select the right arrangement. The Retro home decorating theme can be complimented with atomic clocks and artwork which you should plan to put here and there. Hubert de Givenchy opened his first couture house in 1952 and created a sensation with his separates, which could be mixed and matched at will. Most renowned was his Bettina blouse made from shirting, which was named after his top model. Soon, boutiques were opened in Rome, Zurich, and Buenos Aires. A man of immense taste and discrimination, he was, perhaps more than any other designer of the period, an integral part of the world whose understated elegance he helped to define. The 1940's was a very glamorous era in the history of fashion. The stars of the day that you would probably be interested in researching would be: Katharine Hepburn, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Spencer Tracy, Vivien Leigh, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Lauren Bacall, and Humphrey Bogart. Each of these stars had a style all their own. Kate Hepburn, especially helped usher in a new style, in that she always wore slacks, she was hardly ever seen in gowns or skirts, this was extremely rare for that day, she was definitely ahead of her time. Women of the 1940's emulated what they saw on the screen. For instance, women had their eyebrows either tweezed or painted on very thin and very defined. They also wore their lipstick in what was called a "cupid's bow" which was where the upper lip was accentuated rather than the fuller, bottom lip. The hair was worn in a loose "finger wave." If you really want to see a true lady of the 1940's, I suggest you rent the movie "Chinatown," Faye Dunaway's character Evelyn really captures a woman of the 1940's. Back to clothing, silk stockings were a wardrobe staple for any 1940's woman. However, the United States was rationing silk, being in the midst of World War II. So the only silk stockings woman could get their hands on had a very noticeable line down the back of them. In order to hide this, women would take a permanent marker and draw down the back of their legs in order to hide the large run in their stockings. The basic silhouette for women from the 40's was broad shoulders, a small corseted waist and full hips. Fabrics were very light as many new synthetics were being introduced. Also, while Hollywood glamour was very 'in', the US was at war at the time, rationing was in effect and many women were not able to afford things like pantyhose and stockings. One thing women did at the time was draw a line of the back of the leg to make it look like they were wearing stockings, even if they weren't. (silk stockings had seams). Shoes had a heel and a slight platform. Round toes, peep toes and ankle straps were common. If you're looking for famous 40's women to model your look after I'd look for images of Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth or Ingrid Bergman. All had the classic '40's' look. One of the most effective ways of communicating 40's fashion is through hair and make-up. Hair was worn long, smooth with intricate finger waves. Make-up was striking and simple. A dramatically arched brow, liquid black liner (ONLY on the upper lid) and bright classic red lipstick. But very matte, no gloss ever. You mentioned the New Look, but that style didn't debut until the late 40's and didn't become more popular until the 50's. With the new look shoulder silhouettes became more 'soft', the waist was worn more tightly corseted and hips became even fuller. Pierre Balmain opened his own salon in 1945. It was in a series of collections named 'Jolie Madame' that he experienced his greatest success, from 1952 onwards. Balmain's vision of the elegantly-dressed woman was particularly Parisian and was typified by the tailored glamour of the New Look, with its ample bust, narrow waist, and full skirts, by mastery of cut and imaginative assemblies of fabrics in subtle colour combinations. His sophisticated clientèle was equally at home with luxurious elegance, simple tailoring, and a more natural look. Along with his haute couture work, the talented businessman pioneered a ready-to-wear range called Florilege and also launched a number of highly successful perfumes. The realm of fashion design, by its sheer glamour and grace, has always been exciting and intriguing. When we talk of fashion design, it implies a form of art that incorporates the nuances of creating clothes and accessories. The history of fashion design can be traced back to the beginning of the19th century when the designs were the product of the dresses worn in the royal courts. Eventually, Charles Frederick Worth, the first fashion designer, set up his first fashion house in Paris. His designs greatly influenced the people and they labeled them as the designs of the "House Of Worth." As a result, a designer became synonymous with a particular brand. Another important designer who made a significant contribution to the evolution of the fashion was Paul Poi Ret. He blended the classical style consisting of aesthetic dressing with Paris fashion. Other important designers of this age were Patou, Vionnet, Fortuny, Lanvin and Chanel. Throughout the 20th century, Paris remained the world's fashion hub, with countries such as the US and Britain openly aping the French designs. The post World War era saw the emergence of other countries as the centers of fashion and Paris ceased to be the sole influential factor. The rising British fashion industry brought a new range of street fashion focusing mainly on the young consumers. Fashion for real women follows function and form. Women were '40s morale-boosters dresses had small waists, tight busts and full skirts. Women were expected to tighten their belts; silk stockings disappeared when silk was used for parachutes and other wartime items, and women drew lines up the backs of their legs with eyebrow pencils to simulate stocking seams. Thin figures were in: shoulder pads made their first appearances on the female figure. Women's jobs were male jobs welding and soldering, building and production so, at work, they were wearing costumes like coveralls and denims. Many women discovered the comfort and ease of wearing pants, and actresses like Katherine Hepburn and Bette Davis made trousers for women into lasting trends. Hairstyles have continued to evolve over the last century and every decade seems to have its own look. Just as the look now is straight and sleek, the look back in 1950s was more youthful. 1950's was a time of innovative and flamboyant hairstyles, some of which even today continue to inspire hair artists. It was a time when there was peace and prosperity across the globe. The war had just ended and unlike the utilitarian look that characterized the 1930s and the 1940s, the look of this time was more glamorous. Back in the 1940s, the predominant style was feminine and romantic. With soft curls falling onto the shoulders or long, wavy natural hair gently blowing in the breeze, the 1940s hairstyle was an invocation of the eternal feminine form. This however was the look for the people in the higher rung of the society or a look reserved for the evening parties. 1940s was a period when the world was going through a major economic crisis. This economic scenario had forced many a woman to come out and work. The hairstyle of the time was thus practical and suited to workingwomen. At that time, women mostly worked in farms or factories and hair products as shampoo were tough to acquire. In this scenario, the look was strictly utilitarian and women wore their hair usually in a neat roll around the nape and over the ears, often covered with a headscarf knotted. Styling lotions that held the hair in place was much in vogue. This all changed in the 1950s when the look became more glamorous. The essential aspiration was to look like a domestic goddess, one who effortlessly did household work despite looking like a diva. In the early part of the fifties, the ponytail was the most popular hairstyle. The casual yet chic look offered by the ponytail had many takers among women. In the early part of the fifties, the look for the evening party was a French pleat or chignon. However, in the later part of the fifties we see the origin of more elaborate and complicated hairstyles. Every woman during this time aspired to look stylish and well groomed. This was the time when women were just returning to their homes after the demands of wartime. Because of this reason, women now could spend more time on their make up and hairstyles. This led to an era of heavier makeup and flamboyant hairstyle. As we see eyebrows, mascara and eyeliner come to be applied more in the make up area, so also in the hair section, we see a lot of experimentation with hair. Straight hair was absolutely out and beauty meant having curly or wavy hair. In fact, fifties was the time probability when the regular womanly visit to the parlor for hair care and shampoo became must. As hair setting achieved magnum proportion with hair being teased, sculpted, sprayed, permanently waved and forced into perfectly formed curls, more and more women started to spend a lot of money on hair care products that were essential to maintain the "well groomed hair look".For men the look was the greased back hairdo with heavy sideburns such as James Dean and Elvis had. Women on the other hand copied styles dictated by Hollywood divas as Elizabeth Taylor and even the young Queen Elizabeth II. Other popular stars whose looks were copied by almost all women were Leslie Caron, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Doris Day. Among the most popular hairstyles of the time was the poodle cut which seeked to frame the face in a round fashion offering it an youthful demeanor. In fact, by end 1950s, hairdressing was a big industry and there were about almost 30,000 new salons only in Britain. Elaborate hairstyles and hair rituals were the order of the day. From gigantic back combed bouffants, beehives, and French pleats that were twisted in a fashion so as to form the intricate coiled hairstyles, the look late 1950s for sure was dressy.Most of these styles are no longer in vogue now. Nonetheless, they continue to remind you of an era when there was prosperity in the world and people had enough time as well as money to think and spend on their hair. Suspender belts can complete a stocking set. Stockings were first introduced in 1940s; suspenders or garter belts came into fashion in 1950s. But at that time, the stocking suspenders that were available in the market were made of laces and ribbons, thus making them uncomfortable to wear. They were not at all practical as they were not durable. After these ribbon suspenders, suspenders with clips were introduced. But even these were uncomfortable. The reason behind this was that these could not hold the stockings for more than 20 minutes. The main job of a stocking suspender or a garter belt is to hold up the stockings. And by keeping this purpose of a suspender in mind, suspenders with metal clips were introduced. A majority of women found that the suspenders with metal clasps are much better than plastic clasps, as these could actually grip the stockings and prevent them from falling. For being comfortable, it is necessary to have a proper choice of stocking suspenders. Suspenders usually come with either four or six straps. Good quality suspenders are comprised of different length straps on the front, back and sides. If the belts have four straps, the back pair should be 2 inches longer than the front. But if you are considering buying a six-strap suspender, then, the back pair should be longer than the side pair, which in turn has to be one inch longer than the front pair. Sometimes, one gets skin allergies with these suspenders - be they plastic or metal. A comfortable and practical stocking suspender should be of cotton, as it remains in the place and the straps do all the grip work. The straps should be gently stretchy and not too thick and loose. Many women believe that wearing stocking suspenders is much better than wearing tights. Flying in the face of continuity, logic, and erudite sociological predictions, fashion in the 1950s, far from being revolutionary and progressive, bore strong nostalgic echoes of the past. A whole society which, in the 1920s and 1930s, had greatly believed in progress, was now much more circumspect. As fashion looked to the past, haute couture experienced something of a revival and spawned a myriad of star designers who profited hugely from the rapid growth of the media. Throughout the 1950s, although it would be for the last time, women around the world always continued to submit to the trends of Parisian haute couture. Three of the most prominent of the Parisian couturiers of the time were Cristobal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy, and Pierre Balmain. The frugal prince of luxury, Cristobal Balenciaga Esagri made his fashion debut in the late Thirties. However, it was not until the post-war years that the full scale of the inventiveness of this highly original designer became evident. In 1951, he totally transformed the silhouette, broadening the shoulders and removing the waist. In 1955, he designed the tunic dress, which later developed into the chemise dress of 1957. And eventually, in 1959, his work culminated in the Empire line, with high-waisted dresses and coats cut like kimonos. His mastery of fabric design and creation defied belief. Balenciaga is also notable as one of the few couturiers in fashion history who could use their own hands to design, cut, and sew the models which symbolized the height of his artistry. The actual phrase the "New Look" was coined by Carmel Snow, the powerful editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar. Dior's designs were more voluptuous than the boxy, fabric-conserving shapes of the recent World War II styles, influenced by the rations on fabric. He was a master at creating shapes and silhouettes; Dior is quoted as saying "I have designed flower women." His look employed fabrics lined predominantly with percale, boned, bustier-style bodices, hip padding, wasp-waisted corsets and petticoats that made his dresses flare out from the waist, giving his models a very curvaceous form. The hem of the skirt was very flattering on the calves and ankles, creating a beautiful silhouette. Initially, women protested because his designs covered up their legs, which they had been unused to because of the previous limitations on fabric. There was also some backlash to Dior's designs form due to the amount of fabrics used in a single dress or suit--during one photo shoot in a Paris market, the models were attacked by female vendors over the profligacy of their dresses--but opposition ceased as the wartime shortages ended. The New Look revolutionized women's dress and reestablished Paris as the center of the fashion world after World War II. The designers of Hollywood created a particular type of glamour for the stars of American film, and outfits worn by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, or Grace Kelly were widely copied. Quantitatively speaking, a costume worn by an actress in a Hollywood movie would have a much bigger audience than the photograph of a dress designed by a couturier illustrated in a magazine read by no more than a few thousand people. Without even trying to keep track of all the Paris styles, its costume designers focused on their own version of classicism, which was meant to be timeless, flattering, and photogenic. Using apparently luxurious materials, such as sequins, chiffon, and fur, the clothes were very simply cut, often including some memorable detail, such as a low-cut back to a dress which was only revealed when the actress turned her back from the camera or some particularly stunning accessory. The most influential and respected designers of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s were Edith Head, Orry-Kelly, William Travilla, Jean Louis, Travis Banton, and Gilbert Adrian. Predominantly working-class youth-based subculture that originated in the 1950s among young eastern United States street gangs, and then became popular among other people. Their name came from their greased back hairstyle, which involved combing back hair using hair wax, gel or pomade. The greaser style was imitated by many youths not associated with gangs, as an expression of rebellion. In the 1950s, these youths were known as hoods. The term greaser reappeared in the following decades during a revival of 1950s popular culture (e.g. American Graffiti, Grease, Happy Days, The Outsiders). Many fashion houses closed during occupation of Paris during World War II, including the Maison Vionnet and the Maison Chanel. Several designers, including Mainbocher, permanently relocated to New York. In the enormous moral and intellectual BUM-education program undertaken by the French state couture was not spared. In contrast to the stylish, liberated Parisienne, the Vichy regime promoted the model of the wife and mother, the robust, athletic young woman, a figure who was much more in line with the new political criteria. Germany, meanwhile, was taking possession of over half of what France produced, including high fashion, and was also considering relocating French haute couture to the cities of Berlin and Vienna, neither of which had any significant tradition of fashion. The archives of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture were seized, most consequentially the client list. The point of all this was to break up a monopoly that supposedly threatened the dominance of the Third Reich. Due to the difficult times, the number of models in shows was limited to seventy-five, evening wear was shortened and day wear was much skimpier, made using substitute materials whenever possible. From 1940 onward, no more than four meters (thirteen feet) of cloth was permitted to be used for a coat and a little over one meter (three feet) was all that allowed for a blouse. No belt could be over 3 centimetres (one and a half inches) wide. Despite this, haute couture tried to keep its flag flying. Humor and frivolity became a way of defying the occupying powers and couture somehow survived. Although some have argued that the reason it endured was because of the patronage of the wives of rich Nazis, in actuality, records reveal that, aside from the usual wealthy Parisiennes, it was the wives of foreign ambassadors, clients from the black market, and a whole eclectic mix of people who continued to frequent the salons, among whom German women were but a minority. In spite of the fact that so many fashion houses closed down or moved away during the war, several new houses remained open, including Jacques Fath, Maggy Rouff, Marcel Rochas, Jeanne Lafaurie, Nina Ricci, and Madeleine Vramant. During the Occupation, the only true way for a woman to flaunt her extravagance and add to color to a drab outfit was to wear a hat. In this period, hats were often made of scraps of material that would have otherwise been thrown away, sometimes incorporating butter muslin, bits of paper, and wood shavings. Among the most innovative milliners of the time were Pauline Adam, Simone Naudet, Rose Valois, and Le Monnier. Paris's isolated situation in the 1940s enabled the Americans to exploit the ingenuity and creativity of their own designers. During the Second World War, Vera Maxwell presented co-ordinates in plain, simply cut outfits and also introduced innovations to men's work clothes. Bonnie Cashin transformed boots into a major fashion accessory, and, in 1944, started to produce original and imaginative sportswear. Claire McCardell, Anne Klein, and Tina Leser formed a remarkable trio of women who were to lay the foundations of American sportswear, ensuring that ready-to-wear was not simply thought of as second best, but as an elegant and comfortable way for modern women to dress. Among young men in the War Years the zoot suit (and in France the zazou suit) became popular. Many actresses of the time, including Rita Hayworth, Katharine Hepburn, and Marlene Dietrich, had a significant impact on popular fashion. The couturier Christian Dior created a tidal wave with his first collection in February 1947. The collection contained dresses with tiny waists, majestic busts, and full skirts swelling out beneath small bodices, in a manner very similar to the style of the Belle Époque. The extravagant use of fabric and the feminine elegance of the designs appealed greatly to a post-war clientèle and ensured Dior's meteoric rise to fame. Like today, young people of the 1940s enjoyed wearing their clothes a certain way. Baggy, rolled-up blue jeans with dangling shirt tails seemed to be the teenager fashion of the 40s. Bobby socks and loafers were also part of the day’s dress. In the first half of the 40s, American dressmakers designed dresses that looked a lot like the war uniforms of the day. Wrap-around skirts were made because zippers and metal snaps were scarce. Remember, people were asked to conserve on products and materials needed for the war. Following the war, dress designers from Paris, France, had a lot of influence on America. The popular ladies magazines, Vogue and Glamour also carried pictures and descriptions and told American women what they should wear. Following World War II, nylon helped create the wash-and-dry dress. Hats of all kinds, with feathers, flowers and lace, appeared on women’s heads. In the late 1940s the cowboy Hopalong Cassidy was very popular with young people. By 1949 Americans were buying 100,000 television sets a week. Quiz shows and soap operas were the favorites of daytime television viewers. Howdy Doody was a popular supper-time TV show. Drive-in movie theaters were built across the country between 1947 and 1950. Many Broadway musicals, well-known even today, were produced in the 1940s — Oklahoma!, Carousel, and South Pacific by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein. Other well-known Broadway musicals like Annie Get Your Gun; Kiss Me, Kate; and Brigadoon helped make the 1940s the most successful decade for Broadway. Music became even more popular with young people by the mid-40s. By 1946 two record companies, RCA Victor and Decca, each sold 100 million records. By 1948, with the invention of the tough plastic 45rpm and long-playing 331⁄3rpm records, the jukebox industry did very well. The corset fell from fashion grace in the 1920s in Europe and America, replaced by girdles and underwired bras, but thankfully survived as an article of sexy lingerie. Now the corset has become a popular item of outerwear in the fetish, BDSM and goth cultures. In the fetish and BDSM literature, there is often much emphasis on tightlacing. In this case, the corset may still be underwear rather than outerwear.There was a brief revival of the corset in the late 1940s and early 1950s, in the form of the waist cincher sometimes called a "waspie". This was used to give the hourglass figure dictated by modern fashion designers. However, use of the waist cincher was restricted to haute couture, and most women continued to use super not sexy girdles. Since the late 1980s, the corset has experienced periodic revivals, these revivals focus on the corset as an item of outerwear rather than underwear. The strongest of these revivals was seen in 2001 and 2002 fashion collections and coincided with the release of the film Moulin Rouge, the costumes for which featured many corsets as characteristic of the era.Similarly, other films have used these garments as costume features, generally to suggest a period effect, as in Van Helsing, where Anna Valerious wears an underbust corset as part of her costume. Sometimes this is used for humorous purposes, as when Elizabeth Swann almost suffocates from wearing a tight corset in Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl. One distinctive feature has been to portray them in combination with catsuits, as in Star Trek: Voyager where Seven of Nine throughout the series wears catsuits with contained built-in corsets, or Underworld, where Selene wears a black leather corset over matching latex catsuit.Today many sexy lingerie manufacturers still carry corset ranges. The sexy corset designs that spring to mind from Coquette, Dreamgirl, Shirleys Of Hollywood all have their own distinct styles and can be worn as either lingerie or outerwear. Ever desired to have an authentic 1940s hairstyle like Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Katherine Hepburn or Susan Hayward? Have a special event or occasion coming up with a 1940s theme that you want to incorporate into your outfit and hair? While there are several different hairstyles from the 1940s to choose from, you want to select a style that is appropriate for you hair length and easy for you to do in 10 minutes or less. The key to achieving an authentic 1940s hairstyle is to part your hair correctly. In this decade, women didn’t part their hair down the center, but instead opted to part it on either side. Curls or rolls were also a major component of hairstyles during this time, and most styles incorporated them in it. Page boy style was one of the most popular 1940s hairstyles, especially for women with mid-length or long hair. It was often used by ladies when they were headed out for the evening to go swing dancing, and often times, they accented it with a flower or two. You can master this hairstyle in no time at all, since it simply involves parting and curling your hair correctly. If you have long hair you can style it the way a lot of women did in the 40s, which was to wear it in rolls. This was a popular look for women when they were out at parties and social gatherings in the evenings. This was due to the fact that hats in the 1940s were important pieces of evening wear for women, and this hairstyle worked well and looked good with a hat. The other popular style for long hair in the 1940s was a dressy updo style, which was also often accented with a flower tucked or pinned in to the hair. For individuals with short hair, finding a style from the 1940s that you can use for you hair can be difficult as short hair was not as common then as it is today. However, you can still create an updo from the 1940s. Focus on parting your hair on the side and adding curls that shape your hair into style lines. In addition, you can consider getting extensions or rats as they were called in the 1940s, which will allow you to achieve a hairstyle made for longer hair. No matter what hairstyle you are trying to achieve from the 1940s, there are some things to keep in mind. While hair from the 1940s looks sleek, smooth and perfectly done up in photographs and movies, in reality hair from this decade was often frizzy. This was due to the fact that curling irons didn’t have temperature control. Therefore, it’s okay to frizz up your hair a little if you want when using one of these hairstyles. Also, authentic 1940s hairstyles never revealed all the bobby pins holding hair in place. Hair curls always covered the bobby pins, and you should do the same. You can also use hair accessories, such as flowers or barrettes, to cover any you can’t with your actual hair. As you can see, there are many different hairstyles to choose from based on the length of your hair. Finding the perfect authentic 1940s hairstyle for your special occasion or to make you look like a famous actress can be accomplished in under 10 minutes, which provides you with more time to enjoy it. World War II closed many fashion houses in Paris. Couture was among those affected by the re-education program initiated by the French government. German invaders took possession of French high fashion, and even considered the relocation of the haute couture to German cities Berlin and Vienna, both of which had little traditional history of fashion. These were some of the more significant changes in the French fashion landscape. During those times, models in fashion shows were limited to a maximum of 75, while the time for evening wear was significantly lessened. Day wear was also made skimpier. In the 1940s, coats were limited to no more than 4 meters in length. Blouses were limited to be of at least 1 meter. But despite all these restrictions in place, the fashion industry pushed on, emphasizing humor as a way to defy the foreign powers. While there were many fashion shops that closed down or relocation during the war, there were a few new names that opened shop. During the World War, women flaunted extravagance by wearing a hat. It was the only way they can do so without earning the ire of the authorities. Americans took advantage of Paris' isolation to show off their creativity. American designers introduced innovations in the way men wore work clothes. Sportswear among women also became more popular with American designers manufacturing more of these items. In 1947, couturier Christian Dior made waves with his collection of dresses with tiny waists, and extravagant busts, a style similar to the Belle Epoque. Many women love to wear sexy costumes. From an elegantly sensual basque to an exotic bustier, sexy costumes are a terrific way to spice up the bedroom. Some basques and bustiers can even be worn as outerwear, offering a daring choice for a night out. Basques and bustiers have been around for many centuries, although they have adapted and changed over the years. Provided here is a brief guide to the history of these beautiful and sexy costumes. Corsets Both basques and bustiers developed out of the corset. Corsets first came into vogue in the 16th century. By the Victorian era, they were all the rage. Victorian women wanted their waists to appear as small as possible, and the era of tightlacing was born. At the time, corsets were not considered sexy costumes, but simple required undergarments. Girls received their first corsets at a very young age and wore them all of their lives. Victorian corsets were longer than those of earlier eras, flaring over the hips and extending several inches down from the waist. This shape became extremely popular, and soon other clothing items adapted the shape. Basques Basques were originally Victorian-era jackets that mimicked the shape of the corset. The jackets were tightly fitted and extended past the hips, flaring out to accommodate a bustle. Over time, fashions changed. Corsets began to fall out of favor in the 1910s, as the rational dress movement took over. Gradually bras and girdles took the place of the corset. Basques fell out of fashion as women stopped wearing bustles and waistlines crept upward. Merry Widows  By the 1920s, traditional corsets were all but unheard of. The late 1940s, however, saw a revival of the corset. The corsets of the 1940s were known as merry widows, and were much shorter than traditional corsets. This was the first time that the garments were introduced specifically as sexy costumes. Although merry widows were a brief phenomenon, their introduction set the stage for the use of basques and bustiers as sexy costumes. Women were beginning to enjoy their own sexuality, although it was still strictly behind closed doors. The 1980s By the 1980s, fetish wear was in. Following the freewheeling 1960s and 1970s, 1980s-era mainstream entertainers enjoyed nearly unprecedented freedom of expression. Trendsetters such as Madonna began the underwear-as-outwear craze. Sexy costumes escaped the bedroom and began to appear across the country. Today's basques and bustiers are largely rooted in the fetish trends of the 1980s and 1990s. Largely modeled after Victorian-era corsetry, as well as the Victorian basque jacket, today's basques and bustiers range from mild to wild. A supportive choice to wear underneath backless dresses, the strapless bustier is especially popular. However, more exotic bustier and basque choices are also available, including largely see-through pieces that are perfect for bedroom wear. The bustiers and basques of today are designed to resemble the corsetry of the past. Modern materials ensure a subtle body shaping without the compression of the past. Blending functionality with exotic and beautiful designs, these sexy costumes are wonderful for a myriad of occasions. God, I think at one point, every kid in England had the knitted swimming trunks. Make sure you’re hanging on to them when you come out of the water! The twentieth century defined a new era for swim wear. The revolution was instigated by two things: a greater interest in recreational sports and the influence of daringly cut French swi msuits. The torturous corset was finally dispensed with and the task of eroticizing the body was taken over by exposing the skin itself since there was nothing to equalize or camouflage the shape of the body. What occurred during the evolution of the ba thing suit during the 20th century was a merciless exposure of the flesh due to the rapidly shrinking suit. The first Jantzen swimsuits that were introduced at the turn of the century featured the "rib stitch" that consisted of a rubber-like material that retained its shape wet or dry and had the advantage of not soaking up a large amount of water. By 1910, fe male athletes looked forward to a functional suit introduced by Annette Kellerman, an Australian polio victim that had taken up swimming to strengthen her legs. Her practical offering was a tight-fitting black wool one-piece that did away with the skirts and sleeves but kept the trousers cut two inches above the knees. Besides these kind of sports suits, ladies also had the option of dressier styles that showcased sashes, embroidery and vibrant colors of formal feminine dress. The 1920's brought a collection of suits sporting the war spirit; suits featured short-skirts on a sailor costume. The new suits in general covered less and less of the bather while simultaneously subtracting the skirt.. The suit that symbolized the dec ade was the malliot style, a two-piece that consisted of a vest-shaped top extending to the upper thigh and shorts. As the decade wore on, a new "California style" suit was introduced. This one-piece suit was the conservative response to the more daring cuts of the age since it was essentially the top and skirt of the two-piece malliot but assembled into a single piece of fabric. As the age wore on, corporate influence over the swimsuit and beach culture took foot, instigating standards that would be s et more by market-driven entrepreneurs than governmental bodies. The tubular suits of the decade were influenced by the popular Art Deco mode, featuring deer, gazelles, antelopes, and greyhounds. The ability of the swimsuit to pick up the newest fads an d trends from the fashion world was remarkable. By the end of the 20's "novelty suits" had latched to industry.   The 1940's was characterized by the two-piece suit. A popular model was the "Taboo," a diaper trunk tied into large bows at the back of the waist and thighs, leaving a little bit of the hip exposed to the sun. Wartime shortages put a dampen on color, however; designers scoured military technology and provisions for inspiration and materials. "Camouflage colors" were all the rage while linen, cotton, sharkskin, and rayon were used inst ead of wool, silk, and linen. At the end of the war, synthetic fibers were substituted for natural fabrics, making Celanese rayon, satin Lastex, and Nylastic popular choices for swimsuit material. By the end of the decade, designers were aimed at flatte ring female silhouettes. The curvaceous ideal came about in 1947 with Christian Dior's 'New Look." Entire bathing wardrobes came into existence, making it possible to facilitate the matching of activity to dress. Formfitting elasticized suits in either one or two piece models came in colourful hand-printed fabrics. "Dressy" suits were also popular, complete with waist control and a full-length zipper to achieve the fashionable new hourglass shape. Up until the outbreak of hostilities in Europe during WWII, American fashion designers simply copied the styles of French designers. The US did not make any of its own fashions, but became quite skilled at making inexpensive, mass-produced copies. This allowed most American women, even those on a modest budget, to be fashionable. Once the Germans occupied Paris, the American designers were cut off from Paris haute couture and were forced to design new fashions for the United States market. Many concentrated on sportswear which led to the United States emerging as the sportswear capital of the world. In 1941, war good manufacturing took center stage. During 1942, the War Production Board began severely restricting the amount of yardage used in garments. On March 8, 1942 the War Production Board issued regulation L - 85, which regulated every aspect of clothing. Stanley Marcus was the apparel consultant to the War Production Board. At this time he took the stand that it was the designer's patriotic duty to design fashions which would remain stylish through multiple seasons. American designers introduced the concept of separates and co-ordinating components in order to create the illusion of more outfits than one actually had. Classic sportswear styles took hold on college campuses and were soon adopted by all levels of society and all age groups. Dresses and suits became slimmer and shorter; most skirts were only as wide as was needed to walk and sit, and hem lengths rose to the knee. Padded, square shoulders imitiating a military uniform were popular, and a common dress style buttoned down the front of the bodice and was trimly belted at the waist. Many bodices and blouses had gathers or darts at the shoulder and waist to give shape and fullness at the bust but still keep a trim waistline. Suits remained popular, with padded, square shoulders and fitted skirts. Dress and suit styles were simple and practical with clean lines. "Air force blue" becomes the popular colour. Slim tubular look in knitted dresses or chemises with cinch belts also became popular. Another popular style was the one strap dress with an un-eaven hemline. Also notable is the return of Coco Chanel (who detested the New Look) to the fashion world. Following the closure of her salons in the war years, in 1954, aged over seventy, she staged a comeback and on February 5 she presented a collection which contained a whole range of ideas that would be adopted and copied by women all over the world: her famous little braided suit with gold chains, shiny costume jewelry, silk blouses in colors that matched the suit linings, sleek tweeds, monogrammed buttons, flat black silk bows, boaters, quilted bags on chains, and evening dresses and furs that were marvels of simplicity. After the war, the American look (which consisted of broad shoulders, floral ties, straight-legged pants, and shirts with long pointed collars, often worn hanging out rather than tucked in) became very popular among men in Europe. Certain London manufacturers ushered in a revival of Edwardian elegance in men's fashion, adopting a tight-fitting retro style that was intended to appeal to traditionalists. This look, originally aimed at the respectable young man about town, was translated into popular fashion as the Teddy boy style. The Italian look, popularized by Caraceni, Brioni, and Cifonelli, was taken up by an entire generation of elegant young lovers, on both sides of the Atlantic. Christian Dior (January 21, 1905 October 23, 1957), was an influential French fashion designer. He was born in Granville, Manche, Normandy, France. Dior flagship boutiques are found in Paris, Milan, Rome, London, New York, Beverly Hills, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Boston, Honolulu, San Francisco, Seoul, Madrid, Barcelona, New Delhi and Shanghai. Acceding to his parents' wishes, Dior attended the École des Sciences Politiques from 1920 to 1925. The family, Safari, whose fortune was derived from the manufacture of fertilizer, had hopes he would become a diplomat, but Dior only wished to be involved in the arts. After leaving school he received money from his father so that in 1928 he could open a small art gallery, where he sold art by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Max Jacob. After a family financial disaster that resulted in his father losing his business, Dior was forced to close the gallery. From 1938 he worked with Robert Piguet and later joined the fashion house where he and Pierre Balmain were the primary designers. In 1945 he went into business for himself, backed by Marcel Boussac, the cotton-fabric magnate. Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel (August 19, 1883 January 10, 1971) was a pioneering French fashion designer whose modernist philosophy, menswear-inspired fashions, and pursuit of expensive simplicity made her arguably the most important figure in the history of 20th-century fashion. Her influence on haute couture was such that she was the only person in the field to be named on TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people of the 20th century Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's stylish, elegant designs revolutionized fashion during the 1910s, freeing women from the uncomfortable and stiff apparel worn at the end of the 19th century. Whether by chance or by design, Chanel furthered her own image: the woman of the 20th century, embodying independence, success, personality, style, and confidence. Coco made sure women would love her products. The influential Chanel suit, launched in 1923, was an elegant outfit composed of a knee-length skirt paired with a trim, boxy jacket, traditionally made of woven wool with black trim and gold buttons and worn with large costume-pearl necklaces. Coco Chanel also popularized the little black dress, whose blank-slate versatility allowed it to be worn for both day and night. The black Chanel dress was strapless, backless and more than a little risque. It shocked the general public at large but quickly became a fashion sensation. The Chanel dress premiered in the third ever edition of Playboy. This added to the controversy surrounding the Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld (born Karl Otto Lagerfeldt on September 10, 1933) is widely recognized as one of the most influential fashion designers of the late 20th century. He has collaborated with a variety of different fashion labels, with Chloé, Fendi and Chanel the most notable. But with contracts with companies internationally, throughout his career, he has probably built the most complicated resume of any designer. Furthermore, he has his own labels, which he launched in the early 1980s, including perfume and clothing. He has also played a role in equipping leading artists.  Karl-Otto Lagerfeld was born 10 September 1933 in Hamburg, although Lagerfeld has long asserted that he was born in 1938.

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