1940s hairstyles for knee length hair (need suggestions fast!)

[wallflower]

I've been watching tutorials and playing with my hair for days, but nothing has worked out. :( I really want a 1940s hairstyle to go with this vintage skirt suit I'm wearing. I've had no luck so far.

My last attempt was a modified version of the Gibson tuck (I have too much hair to stuff into a "pocket," so instead I just keep feeding it through the hole and wrapping it around). None of my Gibson tuck attempts look very good. I can't even get victory rolls to look right.

So I really, really need some ideas. Preferably something relatively easy to do and not too time consuming.

[novemberfoxtrot]

Casey has some lovely tutorials (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdibwcoofeg&feature=related). Yes, your hair is way longer than hers but perhaps you can modify.

I think faux victory rolls and some sort of low bun(s) in the back are all you need.

ETA: by faux victory rolls I just mean taking the front sides of your hair, doing a twist or two, push forward to poof and pin the twist in place.

[MoreWhenNuh]

Oh boy! Not sure what would work. Most 40's styles are pretty short. I did see a tutorial on youtube that was victory rolls specifically for long hair but you're right about the cap getting in the way. The only other thing I saw was a sort of Jessica Rabbit do. A deep side part with the hair almost falling over one eye and a gentle curl at the end. I think the opposite side is even pinned back. I don't know if you have shorter layers in the front or if this would work for you at all. Good luck though!

[Aliped]

crown braids, or two braids wrapped around, to look like a crown braid? I was thinking of the character Samantha Stewart in Foyles war, or one of the land girls, but I can't find a picture - not sure how authentic it is though ...

[wallflower]

ETA: by faux victory rolls I just mean taking the front sides of your hair, doing a twist or two, push forward to poof and pin the twist in place.

That's actually what I've been doing, but even that doesn't work. :-/

[wallflower]

crown braids, or two braids wrapped around, to look like a crown braid? I was thinking of the character Samantha Stewart in Foyles war, or one of the land girls, but I can't find a picture - not sure how authentic it is though ...

I didn't know that was a 1940s look. It's an option, but I still wouldn't know what to do with the rest of my hair.

[pepperminttea]

Not strictly 1940s, but I think this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N7_7_NlnF0) would work. (Skip to 5:25 if you want to see how the finished style looks.) With the flip/pull-through at the beginning it's a little Gibson-tuck-ish, but with braids. :)

[wallflower]

Not strictly 1940s, but I think this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N7_7_NlnF0) would work. (Skip to 5:25 if you want to see how the finished style looks.) With the flip/pull-through at the beginning it's a little Gibson-tuck-ish, but with braids. :)

I love Torrin. :) That's a really pretty hairstyle, and the outfit I'm wearing does have a hint of Victorian style. I'll attempt this tomorrow and see how it turns out, but if I don't get it right on the first try I'll resort to some sort of bun.

[Chromis]

I didn't know that was a 1940s look. It's an option (if it doesn't get in the way of my cap), but I still wouldn't know what to do with the rest of my hair.

For crown braids, you just keep wrapping the rest around and pin it.

Here is a messy one to show what I mean:

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6042/6333104844_823bb0c511.jpg

[PaganPriestess]

You could do a high pony tail with a pretty scarf around it, kind of bobby soxer inspired. Bump up the front a little. Can you post a pic of the dress? That would help I think.

[andrea1982]

Check out http://rapunzelsresource.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/faux-short-1940s-swing-style/

[peacecat3]

Hope I'm not too late! My suggestion is to use a snood. This gal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqOBqmU83tE&feature=related) is one of my favorites. Her hair is much shorter, and she curls it a lot and brushes it out to create very authetic looking styles, which just makes me shudder at the thought of brushing out curls on longer hair. Snoods are very period authentic for the 40's. I believe in that video she has included period photographs featuring snoods.

FYI, for the curious: I love this (http://www.youtube.com/user/glamourdaze#p/u/5/rE8RhLSsqCM) propaganda-esque hair video. I'm always interested in how fashion interacts and reflects culture and society.

[HintOfMint]

I see I'm a bit late, but maybe if you want to do 1940s styles in the future, you could curl your hair and fold it and pin it up to get that sort of look. Also, I'm glad someone posted rapunzel's resource. She has some lovely styles.

[Torrin Paige]

Maybe try this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvE9CCUmKY0 I think it turns out looking vintage...and it's still pretty from the front!

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/torrinpaige/SANY1261-1.jpg

[heidi w.]

You can do a mock 40s style by parting your hair from center down deeply to one side, and then slowly twist hair length (or braid it) and pin it in a kind of round-the-head roll. You can pull out little tendrils for a romantic touch.

Knee length hair was far beyond the length of most hair in the 1940s, so you may have to modify things a bit. Not to mention use a lot of pins, and Maybe some hairspray for stick.

Good luck. And congratulations on your graduation. Now you get to joint the legions of unemployed, one presumes. But it'll work out eventually. Promise.

heidi w.
ETA: You could even consider rolling in a colorful ribbon.

[heidi w.]

Hope I'm not too late! My suggestion is to use a snood. This gal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqOBqmU83tE&feature=related) is one of my favorites. Her hair is much shorter, and she curls it a lot and brushes it out to create very authetic looking styles, which just makes me shudder at the thought of brushing out curls on longer hair. Snoods are very period authentic for the 40's. I believe in that video she has included period photographs featuring snoods.

FYI, for the curious: I love this (http://www.youtube.com/user/glamourdaze#p/u/5/rE8RhLSsqCM) propaganda-esque hair video. I'm always interested in how fashion interacts and reflects culture and society.

Those are two rather interesting videos that you linked in for our viewing pleasure. I found the vintage lady to be almost comical in her process. The music as the background and the kind of sped up process in the video gave a kind of comical effect. I wanted to see her finish her style without a snood. I thought it could be lovely. The snood is interesting nevertheless. It kind of shortcuts process because whatever goes into the snood doesn't have to be "structured" somehow.

The vintage video of women and danger of attire/hair on the manufacturing line is a very real concern -- even now. I see artists taking risks with their hair; I've seen it all. I even saw my mom's hair as a kid get caught in a grinder and almost scalp her. It was a lesson I never forgot. It happens really fast, and is a terrible problem. It's in no way funny. I have a photo I plan to post in one of my albums soon, of me cooking a pie. Whenever I work in the kitchen, hair is up. My length is enough to waft a gas burner flame, not to mention my hair can get caught in anything, drawers, cupboards, and singed on hot oven lids. Best to wear it up and be safe. It's a whole lot easier. At my length, even climbing stairs, long hair can pose a problem.

Thanks for the two videos. They were interesting.

heidi w.

[wallflower]

Thanks again to everyone for all the helpful comments! I know I'm late posting this, but here are pictures of the hairstyle I ended up using. It's the one by Torrin Paige that pepperminttea suggested.

I did rope braids instead of regular braids, and I twisted the sides of my hair at the front to give it a more vintage look. I was thrilled with the final result. ^_^

[lunalocks]

Congrats! on both your graduation and on your stunning choice of suit and hair style. I peeked at your album picture and was hoping you just left it long - but I was wrong, wrong, wrong. You look beautiful!!!

[BlondieHepburn]

Positively ravishing!! :bowtome:

[Quetiepi]

Congratulaitons on your graduation! That is quite an accomplishment! Good Luck with your future!

[Resham Carden]

This was interesting to read because I also try to pull off vintage styles but find it difficult. Your look is so pretty here! Love the style and outfit!

[DaveDecker]

Wonderful pictures! :thumbsup:

[ladyshep]

Wow. You did A fabulous job. How did you get your ropes to stay put and don't unravel?

[Manny1826]

fantastic job! you look absolutely beautiful!

[Amazinggrace]

The style, and suit you wore were stunning!!!

[calmyogi]

Hope I'm not too late! My suggestion is to use a snood. This gal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqOBqmU83tE&feature=related) is one of my favorites. Her hair is much shorter, and she curls it a lot and brushes it out to create very authetic looking styles, which just makes me shudder at the thought of brushing out curls on longer hair. Snoods are very period authentic for the 40's. I believe in that video she has included period photographs featuring snoods.

FYI, for the curious: I love this (http://www.youtube.com/user/glamourdaze#p/u/5/rE8RhLSsqCM) propaganda-esque hair video. I'm always interested in how fashion interacts and reflects culture and society.

Lol so I'm years late but came across this post on google and wanted to add my two cents. A snood was a great idea. Also I think that a french twist style is timeless and fits with pretty much any era. I know I have seen videos on YouTube on how to mimic a french twist with knee length hair. What you chose to do looked gorgeous though!