History Highlight: Practical Fashion

There appears to be a reoccurring fashion theme recently. In this History Highlight I want to explore 1940's fashion. America enters the decade and goes right into war. World War II, which ended in 1945, would have a lasting influence on the United States, socially and politically. However, the war reached Americans in other ways as well.

Long coats were stylish but
less practical for the new
 technologies of World War II.

Practical can be stylish as these pilots
 demonstrate in their newly
fashioned bomber jackets.

A popular look with both men and women today is the bomber jacket. It is usually made of leather, or faux leather or any other material, but it is always waist length. This jacket comes straight from the battlefield. World War II was the first war that depended upon aviation warfare. This changed the structure of the military as funds and men were dedicated to creating a powerful air force. These pilots were issued the same long coats as ground troops. This presented a problem to the pilots who found the foot length coats uncomfortable and impractical while sitting in a plane. With limited space and long flight times, pilots needed a practical solution that still kept them warm. By making the coats waist-length, these "bomber" jacket provided pilots with a practical solution and sparked a new fashion trend that take off by the 1950's.

Friends never let friends walk out with
crocked stocking lines. 

Some fashion changes weren't so much about transforming an item of clothing but more about replicating an item that is no longer available. Nylon became a rationed item during the war and shortages for civilian use was common. Nylon is key to the manufacturing of nylon stockings. Stockings were a fashion must in the early twentieth century and women refused to give up this fashion trend. Therefore, they improvised. Stockings were easily identifiable by the black hem that ran the length of the leg. Women decided to imitate that line by drawing that line in black marker on their own legs. It gave the impression of wearing stockings without having to spend the money or hunt the rare fashion item down. When the war ended, nylon once again became available to the public but it is a fascinating reminder of the resourcefulness of war-time women.

Red for victory!

And it was those same resourceful women that were also joining the workforce, especially the manufacturing industry, in mass. Working conditions changed the way women got ready in the morning. They now wore pants that would let them perform the physically demanding tasks required of them. However women did not abandon feminine fashions all together. Women continued to paint their nails but manual labor was not gentle on nail polish. As they did with their nylon stockings, they improvised and innovated. The popular crescent moon design had been around since the 1920's. It consisted of coloring the nail until the "half moon" near the cuticle. Chipping at the tip of the nail became a regular occurrence. The style had to change to suit the needs of the working and fashion conscious women. To prevent chipping, women began keeping the tip of the nail unpainted but still painting the middle and keeping the "half moon" clear of polish. This shift in popular fashion represents life for women during World War II. They were determined to support soldiers overseas while still retaining a sense of normalcy at home.

For historians, fashion is a window into the daily lives of regular people. The clothing they wore and beauty habits they practiced allow us to understand what they valued and how they viewed their society. Behind every fashion trend or any other trend is a history, which is what makes being a historian so fun!

Vegas Day 2: Viva Las Vegas!

Today is the day! Viva Las Vegas! A celebration of rockabilly and 1950's culture!

The 1950's today are remembered as a time of conformism and political paranoia. This is true but not a completely accurate description. My thesis covers juvenile delinquents and youth culture in the 1950's. Researching this time period reveals how great of a gap there is between how we remember the 1950's and what actually happened. The reason for this schism has much to do with the popular culture of the time. When we think of the 1950's we think about the television shows that portrayed wholesome family values as in "Father Knows Best" or "Leave It To Beaver." They give the impression that the decade was static and bland.

However, we see a different picture in films such as "Blackboard Jungle", "High School Confidential." They reveal the maturing car culture, the juvenile rebellion, and growing teen independence of the 1950's that scared adults and authority figures. At Viva, the 1950's are remembered, celebrated but not imitated. Instead, it focuses of the aspects of youth culture that epitomize the decade,

I found Elvis. He is indeed alive
 and performing weddings in Las Vegas.

Held annually at the Orleans Hotel and Casino off the Strip, the Saturday car show part of Viva Las Vegas was a collection of vendors, live music, car show, pin up contest, and other interesting events (including Elvis performing weddings and an active barbershop inside an airstreamer). The live music was a variety of rockabilly and swing bands that set the mood for the event. This was the music of the 1950's but with a modern twist. The bands were a little louder, little more distorted, and maybe even a little more explicit. Almost all attendees were dressed in 1940's/50's attire. Everywhere I looked there were parasols, victory rolls, and crinoline. The men were equally dressed. Some even went beyond the usual jeans and t-shirt. I spotted a couple zoot suits, the famous suits worn by African American and Mexican American youth during WWII.

My best attempt at being a pin up. 

The car show included cars the first half of the twentieth century with the majority being from the post war era. Beautifully restored and painted, these cars were a delight to see. These cars came from all across the country and are clearly well taken care of. Looking at them, you are reminded about the evolution of cars and how our perspectives on cars (and what a car means) have changed. It's easy to forget that mandatory car seat belts are less than 50 years old. Cars, for most modern day Americans, are less about style and fashion and more about energy efficiency, convenience, and transportation. However, the car must still be understood as a influencing factor in shaping modern America. Without the 1950's car culture, we would not have drive in theaters, drive thru/fast food restaurants, or motels (motor hotels). These are now aspects of culture that are distinctively American.

The sun and heat finally got the best of us and we left the event, but it was such a fun experience. I will almost certainly be back next year.

Vegas Day 1: History, Pinups, and Hair

We are off to Vegas today. The boyfriend and I try to have a yearly adventure out of our home state and we happen to love Las Vegas. So it worked out perfectly with our spring breaks aligning with the yearly pin-up event Viva Las Vegas. We packed up our 1950's attire and plenty of hair products and off we went.

First stop, the hair salon. No good pin up is ready without fabulous hair. Before trekking it out to Nevada, I had to make a stop at one of my favorite local shops, Pin Up Culture. At their new location, they offer hair and barber services, photography sessions, and wonderfully cute clothes. I made an appointment with their pin up hair stylist at their grand re-opening a while back and was so excited to have my hair transformed, but first some history!

Betty Grable sporting victory rolls

The classic hairstyles of the 1940's and 50's are always beautiful to see but unfortunately a little complicated. They do take some practice and preparing but I highly recommend them for a fun night out. Among the best known is the victory roll. Its name comes from the World War II era and heightened patriotism. When done correctly, the two barrels made of hair should form a V-shape on top of the head. During World War II, Americans experienced food and material rationing. To help relieve civilian fears and spirits, the U.S government published manuals and pamphlets to encourage wartime cooperation and participation. Even though the war was being fought abroad, Americans back home could do their part through war bonds, victory gardens, so why fashion. It became a visual way to support the American cause.

An asymmetrical victory roll set 

World War II has long been over, but the hair styles are never gone. Victory rolls are one of my favorite styles because it is so iconic and unique. It instantly brings you back to the glamour days of Hollywood and oozes that classic style we all admire. I can generally do my own victory rolls but for Viva Las Vegas I thought it would be fun and educational to get my hair done by a professional.

With hair done, we are finally ready to hit the road!

The drive to Vegas from San Diego is roughly 6 hours and takes you across the San Andreas fault, past Death Valley and the Alien Jerky stand (I recommend the abducted cow jerky). Luckily, we are making the journey in an air conditioned vehicle. A hundred and fifty years ago, travelers were less lucky. Crossing the United States was often a dangerous voyage and Death Valley claimed many victims during the Westward expansion.

Finally arriving in Vegas is always something to celebrate. We chose to stay at the Stratosphere since they offer a good deal to guests for their shows. The one we came to see was Pin Up starring Playboy Play Mate of the Year, Claire Sinclair. The show brings classic calendar pin up girls to life with musical numbers, a live band and singer, and dancers. The show we attended had a special co-star, Sabina Kelly, a pin up and tattoo model. She and Claire were funny and clever. They captured the playful and smart atmosphere that burlesque is all about. Hair and burlesque were the perfect combination to get us ready for tomorrow's rockabilly day.