1940s fashion and style

1940s Makeup by GoforKat - Makeup Artist Kat Ramirez

Here are just a few photos that have inspired me in crafting my 1940s dress. My character in "a Picasso" is somewhat of an intelligent beauty, and I hope to have even a sliver of the glamour contained within these images.

Betty Grable... stunning.

Below is one of the very first images I came across when researching 40s work clothes. I fell in love with the clean lines and stunning cape/coat. To me this represents my character, Miss Fisher as the suit itself is very sensible with no decoration or extravagance, yet the coat shows her style and true self (though I won't reveal here what that is!).

Green tweed cape over sand silk shantung suit. (ca. 1941)

I am in awe over this one as well:

Vionnet (ca.1933)

I cannot explain what this picture of Lucille Ball does for me... It is so beautiful it makes my eyes water!

Lucille Ball in a splendid HAT!

I want that hat so badly I have considered making this one below (and have already bought the pattern) ... However the only mentions of it online are by people who cannot decipher the pattern instructions.  *sobs*

My dream hat from Vintage Vogue 7464

 And this image. I don't even know what film it comes from yet it seems to demonstrate the stubbornness of Miss Fischer and Picasso very clearly.

This definitely reminds me of our characters.

I don't know if it's just because I have been studying the play these past few months or if I have just never seen 1940s style before, but I cannot tell you how obsessed I have become over this time period!  The glamour is just more than I can bear! I really think I was born in the wrong time period.

If you would like to see the rest of my style inspiration for this play, visit my 1940s Pinterest page and add me for updates! I also have pages for other decades as well.