Lori Luster - Cool Cat: Bringing 1940s and 1950s Flair to Your Wardrobe

B elieve it or not, the trends youre wearing right now arent entirely new. Lookatthecuffed jeans and capris folded in your drawer. Put on a pair of wedge shoes. Tieyour hair up in a scarf and paint your nails. All these trends are retro looks thatstarted in the 1940s and 1950s.

The 40s and 50s were a time of enormous change for fashion in the United States.A young generation of Americans was dancing to swing music and rock and roll. Everyonewas healing from the failed banks, food shortages, and no jobs of the 1930s GreatDepression. Men went to fight in World War II (19391945).

Suddenly women had new roles at home and in the workplace. All these changes hada deep and lasting effect on fashion.

The 40s and 50s ushered in new fashions that continue to influence styles. If youhave blue jeans or a bikini, youre wearing trends that began in these decades. Thelooks that originated in the 40s and 50s are ageless, and thats why they are stillpopular today.

You can bring even more of the iconic styles of these decades into your look. Fromstyling your hair to making your own poodle skirt, what was old is new again!

I n the early 1940s, people across the United States were struggling to rebuild theirlivesafterthe Great Depression. Americans turned to music and films as a way tocopewiththe difficult times, and both influenced the styles of the day.

In 1940 American clothing styles were dominated by the Paris couture houses. DesignersJeanne Lanvin, Coco Chanel, and Madeleine Vionnet created the styles of the day.At the beginning of the decade, the popularity of Lanvins romantic tiny waists andswirling full skirts grew.

ACTRESS, VERONICA LAKE 1942

Chanels beautiful use of simple lines hugging the body and comfortable fabrics wasstill as sought out and admired as it was in the 1930s.

But American couture clothing by this time was also greatly inspired by MadeleineVionnet. Vionnets revolutionary bias cut is still used on apparel worn today.

Look at any material, and youll notice that it is made of woven fibers. Materialthat is cut on the bias is cut at an angle across its weave. This cut causes thematerial to drape and hang. Draping creates a more flowing and graceful look to fabrics.It also tailors to your body in a flattering way.

Bias cut dresses are as popular today was they were in the 1940s. Stars such as Miley Cyrus and Amber Riley wear this style to show off their shapes.

Dancing in a New Style

As dancing changed, so did clothing.

N ew trends in music and dance brought about changes in fashion styles. Americasyouth was jitterbugging to swing music. For many, swing was much more than musicitwas a lifestyle. Teens and young adults danced to cool hipster entertainers wearingzoot suits and playing innovative jazz with a pulsing beat.

Swing dancing had women flying in the air and swinging around dance floors. Thisstyle of dance was more athletic than styles that came before.

As dancing changed, so did clothing. Hems got a little shorter, hovering at the knee.Young women also started wearing fuller skirts with button-down blouses, which allowedfor easier movement.

The cute, comfortable skirt and shirt ensembles of swing dancers has definitely notgone out of style. The combo is everywhere from the racks of local department storesto Hollywoods A-list actresses. Eva Mendes, Katie Holmes, and Jennifer Lawrencehave all rocked the look.

PUT IT TOGETHER

The 1940s swing look is easy to throw together and is perfect for a summer outing.

Grab a white button-down blouse from your (or your Moms) closet.

Check the thrift store for a fun, flowy knee-length skirt.

Do a search online for low-heeled Mary Janes to find a great pair of toe tappers.

Check an accessory story for a rectangular clutch to finish the look.

SLIPS and HOSE

W omen in the 1940s changed what they wore under their clothes too. 1940s women beganwearing supportive bras and rubberized girdles. Bras and girdles gave them freedomof movement while still slimming and shaping their bodies.

Women also wore slips with fuller skirts over the bra and girdle. Slips helped toprotect the modesty of dancers as they flipped in the air.

Stockings were an essential part of womens wardrobes too. Nylon stockings hit theshelves in 1940. They were inexpensive, plus they fit well and looked good. Shopshad a terrible time keeping them on shelves. Stockings had a seam along the back.A true lady always made sure her stocking seams were straight along the backs ofher legs.

Nylons have fallen out of favor in recent years, but they havent gone away completely.Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is 40s chic. Her famous buttered leg stockingshonor the past with their sheer, silky, natural sheen. Megan Fox, Mischa Barton,and Hayden Panettiere have been spotted wearing nude-tone hosiery as well.

MEGAN FOX

Swinging Up-Dos

Dancers couldnt have their hair flying all over. Two hairstyles became the go-to looks in the 1940s. Women either pulled their hair back into a very fashionable chignonor pinned their hair into spit curls.

Chignons are coils of hair arranged around the back of the head. This look was verypopular off the dance floor for day or evening styles too. Spit curls were made bywrapping pieces of hair around the finger and using spit to flatten the curl against the head.

Both hairstyles are still popular. Chignons are everywhere on the red carpet. CarrieUnderwood, Emma Stone, Jennifer Hudson, and Eva Longoria are just a few of the celebswhove thrown back to the 40s for their looks.

Spit curls are more fun and less elegant than chignons. American Idol contestantSyesha Mercado wore this playful look. Of course, hair spray, not spit, kepther curls in place.

Chignons are everywhere on the red carpet.

Get the Look

With a little practice, chignons can be a fun way to bring 1940s style into yourlook.