8 Charming 1940s Hairstyles For A Classic, Vintage Appeal
Balance elegant glamor and practicality with the ‘40s vintage hairstyles!
Tuera A. Jacobs is a licensed cosmetologist with over 20 years of experience in makeup, wardrobe styling, branding, creative directing, and overall style coaching. She is also the owner of Studio Hush 4:14 Image Consulting Firm, Creative Director of Christina Michelle Branding Agency, Beauty Director of Columbia Fashion Week, mother of three, and grandmother of one.
Read full bio of Tuera A. Jacobs
Experience: 2 yearsPahul Nanra is a content writer with a penchant for all things fashion and beauty. She has two years of experience in writing across beauty and lifestyle genres. She is an English Honors graduate from Delhi University with a diploma in Fashion Designing from YMCA.
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Experience: 8 yearsArshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.
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Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.
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1940s hairstyles reflect both the practicality and elegance of the era. The hairdos were influenced by wartime restrictions. Therefore, women mostly opted for short, pinned-up hairstyles that featured lots of soft waves and curls, which balanced beauty with functionality. The ‘40s hairstyles aimed at achieving an easy, neat look but with equal visual appeal. While the hairstyles exude femininity and elegance, they also ensure they aren’t very time-consuming. Most of the ‘40s hairstyles featured curled-up victory rolls, gelled waves, and pin curls. The hairstyles also held deep symbolism. For instance, the victory rolls were named after the celebratory spin the pilots would perform after shooting down enemy planes. So, if you are into vintage-inspired hairstyles and have been thinking about experimenting with the ‘40s retro trends, continue scrolling through as we are here to offer you much-needed inspiration. Scroll down!
In This Article
Overview Of 1940s Hairstyles
Women’s hairstyles during the 1940s prioritized elegance and practicality. The hairstyles during that era were all about shorter but fuller locks that were pinned or curled up in soft waves. They were usually flat on the top so that the hairstyles could easily accommodate hats and scarves, mostly used for functional purposes. While the hairdos appeared chic and neat, they were simple and easy for everyone to master and maintain. Due to wartime rationing, women kept their hair short or medium length so that they were easy to style and could be kept away from the face. A few classic hairstyles of the ‘40s era include victory rolls, pin curls, and waves.
The ‘40s hairstyle trends are still very much in vogue as people keep recreating them, blending retro styles with modern, vintage-inspired looks. If you are looking for some hair inspiration, check out the styles listed in the next section to get more ideas about the hairdos.
Vintage Vibes: 8 Stunning 1940s Hairstyles You’ll Love
While women preferred to keep their hairstyles simple and easy to style, they didn’t lack in glam quotient. Straight hair wasn’t quite popular during those times, at least among women. Therefore, you’ll find a lot of waves, curls, and layers in the styles. Keep scrolling for some style inspiration and bookmark your favorite hairstyles from the list.
1. Long Hair 1940s Hairstyle
Although long hair wasn’t really “in” during the ‘40s, this hairstyle takes inspiration from the popular styles of that era to recreate a ‘40s-inspired look with long hair. Curls were indeed a big hit in the 1940s. They offered a stunning look and functionality for long tresses. Here, the hair on the crown is rolled away from the face on both sides in a symmetrical way. The long tresses have been styled in big, loose curls, cascading over the shoulders. This is a classic 1940s hairstyle that looks elegant on both long and medium-length hair.
2. Everyday 1940s Hairstyle
Rolls were the signature look, widely preferred by the 1940s women to style their hair for any occasion. This classic ‘40s-inspired hairstyle is ideal for a daily look and for the times you wish to appear modish but don’t have much time to spend styling your hair. Here, the hair has a side parting and the locks on one side of the crown are rolled back. The rest of the hair is gathered at the back, secured by a scarf or a bandana around the head, and styled in loose curls. You can brush your fingers through the loose hair to achieve a nonchalant look, then settle the top strands with some hairspray.
3. 1940s Updo Hairstyle
Simple updos and pin-up rolled hairstyles were pretty popular during the 1940s. Here, the hair is parted in the middle on the crown and the sections are tightly rolled back on both sides and pinned in place. The hair at the back has been rolled back so that the updo sits right on the nape. This swept-up or brushed-up style offers both style and functionality and suits both teens and adults. “The bonus is the aftereffect – a head full of bouncy perfect curls that will last longer than usual because they have been set by the pin curls,” says licensed cosmetologist, Tuera A. Jacobs
4. 1940s Hairstyle For Medium Hair
You can’t discuss 1940s hairstyles without mentioning victory rolls! The hairstyle was named after the pilots who would do a corkscrew-type spin to celebrate victory after shooting down an enemy plane and featured curling the ends of the hair upward. The style features tight rolls on the crown of the head, curled upward and around the face, that would be facing each other. Here, they are done symmetrically and the hair at the back is rolled inward, toward the neck.
5. 1940s Bob Hairstyle
A bob hairstyle is timeless, and we think you would agree! The above image is a classic example of a vintage bob haircut styled in the ‘40s pageboy hairstyle. Unlike the other popular hairstyles of the ‘40s that featured curls and waves, this hairstyle was rather smooth. You’ll need to gel your hair on the crown, sweep it to one side, and pin it in the back. Roll the hair around your neck inward for that classic tucked-in look. What we love most is how time-saving it is.
6. 1940s Curly Hairstyle
Short hairstyles were often adorned during the 1940s due to the ease and practicality they offered. Curly bob hairstyles may look elaborate but are quite easy to style and maintain. The hairstyle here has a side part, probably in a zigzag pattern and the curls hand loose on both sides of the face. The crown is flat, like any typical ‘40s hairstyle, to accommodate hats, scarves, or similar accessories. Despite the simplicity of the hairstyle, it doesn’t lack any visual allure. If you are someone who loves a bob cut, curly tresses, side-parting, and retro glam, then this hairdo is for you!
7. 1940s African American Hairstyle
African-American hairstyles look absolutely bomb even when the natural hair texture is unaltered. If you wish to give your kinky curly hair a vintage touch, take inspiration from the above image. While even black women often adorned victory rolls or curls, the loose hair with sides pinned up was also popular. The distinctive mane is indeed statement-worthy and can be bookmarked if you want to make heads turn the next time you step out!
8. 1940s Ponytail Hairstyle
While long ponytails were not very popular in the ‘40s, women would occasionally tie their hair back in ponytails. Here’s a classic variation of a retro ponytail where Margot Robbie is seen sporting finger waves and soft wavy locks tied in a ponytail. The actress had the front strands lifted and pinned on the side in a wave along with a high ponytail. Tuera A. Jacobs states, “A sleek ponytail is always a winner and can be easily achieved with a drawstring ponytail in case your natural hair lacks the length or the volume that you would otherwise prefer.” The long ponytail gives a voluminous look, while the front wave exudes elegance and allure.
The 1940s hairstyles are often admired for their perfect blend of style and practicality. While the hairstyles were born out of war restrictions, they didn’t lack charm and elegance. The unique hairstyles are still appreciated and are often worn as a tribute to the ‘40s. These hairdos emphasized femininity while adapting to the demands of wartime life. Apart from styling their hair, women also incorporated accessories like scarves and hats to protect their hair without compromising the style. We hope the article above has helped you gain ideas and insights into the hairstyle trends that dominated the fashion scenes of that era.
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