Today is the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, when the guns fell silent in Europe as WWII came to an end.

Together with our allies, the entire world celebrated the victory of freedom over tyranny & oppression and we remember the selfless sacrifice of all who fought for freedom.

After six long years of war, 8 May 1945 was a day of celebration and reflection.

It is estimated that over 75 million people worldwide died due to the effects of World War II, whether through direct combat or more indirect causes.

WWII also saw the rise of the Victory Garden.

The end of the Second World war wasn’t just a victory for the UK or Europe, but a global victory.

VE Day celebrates the success of all countries, acting in a collective interest of peace acting against Nazism and fascism.

Here in the U.K. we are celebrating with street parties (while social distancing of course), bunting, classic afternoon tea in the garden, and more.

Some of us use this day to also dress up in a 1940s vintage style or wear vintage makeup look or a 1940s hairstyle.

Over the past decade or so, there has been a renewed interest in vintage styles and fashion, with eras like the 50s and 40s being very popular.

It is easy to see why the fashions and styles of those times have enduring appeal, as they were an era that celebrated the traditional femininity of women.

Many of us Conservative or Traditional girls tend to dress and style ourselves in a manner that is a nod to the bygone eras.

In addition, they work well on women of any age and status, whether you are in your 20s or 80s, and whether you are single or married.

THE FASHION AND STYLE

Recreating 1940s fashion or adopting parts of it is rather easy to do.

Dresses were generally calf-length or knee-length, which both feminine AND modest, preferably pleated and with a fitted waist. Can’t find a dress with a fitted waist? Then add a nice, simple belt to cinch your waist in perfectly.

Shoulders were either padded or ruffled. Complete your ensemble with a fetching beret.

Dress colors and designs were generally muted for winter and, polka dots or very small floral print for the summer.

When it came to clothing, the 1940s style placed emphasis on femininity and practicality.

For hosiery, skip the padded bra and go for a bullet bra, or a simple underwired bra instead. Smooth everything down with a high waist girdle – super flattering on women of all shapes and sizes.

How about shoes?

1940s women wore shoes chosen for their practicality and heels were usually block-heeled or cuban-heeled.

A pair of Oxfords or Mary Janes with T-Straps will produce the same effect. Pumps can be worn for evening events.

THE MAKEUP

Compared to today’s makeup routines of baking, and highlighting and bronzing (goodness! I am exhausted just writing this out!), the typical 1940s look is very simple and easy to achieve.

Begin with a neutral base ie pale creamy foundation and set with a lot of powder. Eyeshadow is very neutral and understated. To complete, finish with a slight cat eye-liner and redder than red lipstick – NOT lipgloss!

As you can see, the 1940s makeup look was all about a clean, neutral palette with your lipstick being the POP of colour on your face. It’s very feminine and glamourous at the same time!

THE HAIRSTYLES

There were a variety of hairstyles worn by women in the 1940s, which included pin curls, roller sets, victory rolls, and much more.

Many of the hairstyles ran the gamut from simple creations to more intricate designs.

Whatever your style, you can try experimenting with 1940s hairstyles by checking out THIS PLAYLIST by Glamourdaze.

Find the right 40s hairstyle for your face shape HERE.

Why not check out the top 10 actresses from the 1940s and then watch their moves or observe pictures of their hairstyles, makeup looks, fashion, and poise to give you a general guide on adopting or emulating the classic, feminine, and glam style of the 40s?