Quick and Easy 40's effects

Shoulderpads and Hats work for both men or women, and can transform a contempory outfit into a 1940s classic.

For men, a suit with double breasted and/or pinstriped jacket, or a coat can be enhanced with shoulder pads. Try a Casablanca inspired trench coat or other belted coat, and team with with a fedora, trilby or pork pie hat.For women, shoulder pads can be worn with a suit jacket, frock, blouse or even an evening gown. Update a classic skirt suit with the addition of shoulderpads, hat, and matching accessories: gloves, bag, shoes and jewelry.


Shoulderpads in a blouse, teamed with high-waisted loose pants also give an authentic 40s effect:


Team a pretty hat with just about any blouse or suitable frock...

Casual looks for men or women can be achieved with knitted vest and cardigans. For men, over pale shirt and tie.For women, the effect is best with a pretty floral dress, or a skirt and blouse

Swing Dancing Explained...

1940s Makeup - Tips and Tutorials

Natural beauties (natural with "a little support") were the ideal of the forties.

Face powder was used to match the skin or to gave a nice rosy glow. To get this effect a slightly darker warmish foundation was used and then powdered over with a powder that was lighter than normal skin.

To get a natural rosy look popular rouge colors were red with pinkish undertones, bright pinks with fuchsia undertones and bright roses.

For the eye dark brown or black mascara and a small eyeliner was used. Eyeshadows mostly varied in muted grays and browns.

Eyebrows were kept fairly natural in thickness, but were manicured into clean, well defined arches and accented by use of a dark brown pencil.

For lips all shades of red including clear bright reds, cherry reds, pinkish reds, and orange reds were popular. Two different color plans for lipstick use existed. On the on hand the "monotone", where lipstick was used to support a glorified natural look (includes light red, reddish orange, and raspberry tones) and on the other hand the "contrast", where lips brought a definite accent (includes cherry red, crimson and vermillion shades). In any case lips should look full and soft. To effect this top lip was slightly exaggerated.

1940s makeup guide - tips and photos above are from return2style.de/swingstyle/makeup/40amimup.html. More makeup tips can be found here and here.

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For the chaps - military style

For the chaps - 1940s smart suits

Casual but smart - full white shirts, knitted vests


Single-breasted jackets and waistcoats







Fitted double-breasted suits (don't shy away from the pinstripe!)

For the ladies - 1940s Women's Fashion Trends

Military chic

Ulitarian chic - Rosie the Riveter/ Women's land army/WAF

Austerity Chic (mend and make do)

Swing and jitterbug

Menswear as women's wear

Hollywood Glamour

1947 – Dior introduces the “new look”