The Forties: Pin Curls and Pin Up Girls
There is no doubt that women in the forties must have spent a lot of time styling their hair. But, it seems that what they were doing was right as we still wear some of their hairstyles in 2008. Back then, soft and feminine styles were the most sought after looks and women spent hours rolling their hair into the perfect “pin curls”. You’ve seen them on the famous pin-up girl pictures and they’re still channeled by retro-lovers today.
Once dry and unrolled, the hair formed big, round, bouncy curls that were then elaborately styled into different updos or half-updos, sure to attract their suitors’ eyes. Rolling curls was a painstaking process that took a long time. If you’re lucky enough to have naturally shapely curls, than all you need is some styling product and you’ve got the look that these ladies spent hours to achieve. If you’re not naturally blessed, today you can achieve the same look with hot rollers, soft curlers, or hot curling irons in a fraction of the time (and effort!). Always a romantic touch, soft curls really play up feminine styles and soft makeup.
Another style that was wildly popular in the forties and continues to be popular today is the chignon, a fancy French way of saying “soft bun”. Back then, women wore a chignon to more formal affairs as it is a sleek and sophisticated hairstyle. Today, the chignon is popular for prom girls and brides alike. Easy enough to wear, the hair is swept back at the nape of the neck and twisted up, where it is pinned to stay in place. Some women add a dressy comb or accessories as a personal touch. It can also be seen on everyday women, usually in a professional setting, as it is an easy solution to the dreaded “bad hair days” we all experience.
With the elegant style and classy looks of the women of the forties, it is no surprise that we still use their hairstyles decades later, although, we do have it easier thanks to modern tools and products. Although we don’t spend as much time rolling our hair into tight ringlets, we still covet beautifully curled styles.
