Image by CLY Creation via StylemePretty
Welcome to Part 2 of our guide to vintage! This is the second of four parts, covering all the years that are now considered vintage… it’s hard to believe it, but that now includes the 90s as well… how time flies! Today, we’re covering the fashion of the 1940s and the 1950s, to help you plan your very own truly vintage wedding from your favourite era.
If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check out Part 1 of Your Guide to Vintage – 1920s and 1930s.
The Swing Era – the 1940s
History has a curious ability to repeat itself – including unfortunate events. For three decades in a row, a hugely important event marred what should have been a joyous and positive transition. The 1910s had World War I. The 1920s had The Great Depression. The 1930s ended with World War II – the most serious conflict by far. As you know, this war ended only in 1945 – halfway through the decade. It may seem trivial to talk about fashion when the war and its consequences overshadowed all, but women in those days still made efforts to look presentable with the limited means at their disposal. There were wartime weddings of course, and in the occupied countries very few brides could afford to buy a wedding dress, and fabric wasn’t easy to find either. To get wed, women simply wore the best clothes they had, while the men often wore their military uniforms, or their best suits. When the war ended, there was rationing that influenced weddings for a time – but as the decade marched to a close, the fashions became more indulgent once again. 1947 was the key year – Christian Dior unveiled his famous New Look in Paris, while in the UK, Queen Elizabeth II got married in a regal white gown featuring a stunning lace veil.
Above, clockwise from top left: 40s inspired roll hair style | Flora gown by Charlotte Balbier, from her Decades of Style collection | Authentic 1940s Simplicity wedding gown pattern via Pinterest | Leigh dress by Temperley Bridal – Temperley is available in Kadee Bridal and Little White Dress
Key looks from the 1940s
• modest, high necklines, with sweetheart style popular for evening wear and wedding gowns
• tailored suits with square, sculpted shoulders, fitted to the figure
• hemlines no higher than the knees
• Peter Pan collars
• hats, belts and gloves
• Dior’s New Look – fitted jackets with full skirts plus pumps
For an absolutely stunning look at 1940s fashions, click through to Marie Claire.
1940s hair and make-up
This decade maintains well-defined and shaped eyebrows, very much groomed, but no longer plucked into two very thin lines as was the custom in the 1930s. Liquid eyeliner was very popular, and so were eyeshadows, applied modestly just over the eyelids – plus of course, lashings of mascara. Lipsticks entered a strong red and orange phase. The most famous hair style was – you probably guessed it – the Victory Roll, which was basically a glorious curl of hair arranged in an artful way somewhere close to the top of the woman’s head, and rolling towards the centre, although there were many versions of this. Overall, there were two things women didn’t do to hair in the 1940s – straight and sleek, or messy. Some fashion historians say that women compensated for the wartime make-up shortages with beautiful hairstyles. Therefore, the 1940s hair is glorious, stylishly curled, under control, pinned, arranged, yet looking as natural as possible. It is, in fact, a perfect hair do for a wedding – it was so commonly seen in those days, yet today it looks so fabulously glam, and suits so many brides, it’s really worth considering!
Above, Mapel wedding gown by Belle & Bunty Bridal
Best films about the 1940s
Casablanca – made in 1942, it’s the movie you’ve definitely heard of, if you haven’t seen it already! So many famous lines in this one – and of course, Ingrid Bergman’s outfits are to die for.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit – this 1988 caper needs only two words, really – Jessica Rabbit.
From Here to Eternity – this 1953 movie is credited with resurrecting the career of Frank Sinatra. Yes it is a wartime story – but a very touching one.
The 1950s – The Golden Age
Those living in the 1940s must have been relieved to end the decade without a world-shattering event – so the 50s started with an optimistic outlook that certainly found its groove as the years progressed. America and the UK were leaders in most things fashion, fun and entertainment – this is the decade that gave us the Twist, rock’n’roll, swing, blues, and classic pop! This is also the decade that gave us Elvis, some of Frank Sinatra’s finest years, Chuck Berry, and of course… the unforgettable Etta James, she of the “At Last” fame, which is very likely the most popular first dance wedding song of all time. Hollywood was making some of its best movies ever, with so many influential stars and directors who still matter today – like Marilyn Monroe and Alfred Hitchcock. Truly, this is the one era that has many still in the grip of strong nostalgia, especially as many of our grandparents remember it well.
Above, clockwise from left: Nora gown by Charlotte Balbier, from her Decades of Style collection | Gown from the 1950s collection by The White Room | Style 8706 from Justin Alexander 2014 collection | Image courtesy of Michelle Prunty from Edel and Rory’s real wedding
Fashion in the 1950s
Truly, you’d be hard-pressed to find a woman who doesn’t look good in 1950s fashions – they look glorious on many shapes and types of figures, with fun colourful fabrics adding an extra blast of fun. We’re talking full skirts, often with crinolines (how else would you swing, dahling?), fitted waists, flattering tops, elegant little jackets, and those cute hats. Another option to a full skirt was a beautifully fitted pencil skirt, reaching below the knee, and flattering in all the right places. Shapely busts were very important – and the famous “sweater girl” look was achieved with specially shaped bras that were not just uplifting, but created a conical shape that had little to do with nature, but managed to look saucy and wholesome at the same time. Interestingly, it was the new era of shaping undergarments – with women often wearing a full armour of support under their clothes to create that cinched-in waist and pointed bust look, which couldn’t otherwise be achieved on a typically shaped woman. That really is the secret to why the 50s woman looked so feminine. And let’s not forget those gloves, worn by many for everyday tasks – driving, shopping, commuting… oh, how we wish this elegant touch would come back.
1950s hair and make-up
Pastels were the order of the day – in all hues and shades. There were different looks for day and night, office and home, holiday and party, very much like today. There’s that very famous Vogue cover from 1950, all white, with only a woman’s eye and red lips brilliantly shining against the plain background. To many, this is the epitome of that era’s glamour – a pale complexion, with beautiful eyes and lips. The 50s have a way of always coming back into fashion, in full force or just in accents, so if you check online you’ll find a multitude of 50s make-up tutorials, probably more than for any other era – which makes it easy to achieve a really authentic look. In hair, pin-up curls and rockabilly rolls were the top looks for anyone, with strong 40s influences still present – sleek or messy hair was still some way off.
Above, clockwise from top left: Dolly gown from Lizzie Agnew | 50s-inspired gown from Watters 2015 collection | Water Gardens drop earrings from BHLDN | 50s style gown from the Lyn Ashworth 2014 collection
Best films about the 1950s
Mona Lisa Smile – this 2003 film starring Julia Roberts is a lovely story about a change of heart, and the costumes are amazing! It’s set in 1953.
Forrest Gump – made in 1994 and highly rewarded with statuettes, is there anyone who hasn’t seen it yet? It starts when Tom Hanks was a child in the 1950s.
My Week With Marilyn – this much acclaimed 2011 film received much acclaim.
Grease – made in 1978 (can you believe it) this is your ultimate dose of full skirts, pointy bras, tight sweaters – for a very fun look at the era.
How to Marry a Millionnaire – 1953. If there’s one movie you’re going to see from this list, make it this one! Luscious outfits, funny as heck, brilliant casting, and there’s even a fashion show in it! Utter fabulousness.
Come back next week for Part 3 of our guide to vintage – covering the 1960s and 1970s!
