She Wore Flowers in Her Hair

What's the perfect finishing touch to those fabulous forties hairstyles?  A strategically placed flower of course!  Flowers adorning the hair were not just for the beach. Floral hair accessories became a fashion staple with day wear as well as evening wear. During the turbulent war years, they livened the spirit and boosted morale.

Photo courtesy vintagedancer.com

Make Do & Mend Ideas from 1943 includes how to make a dark suit dashing with flowers.
Courtesy Tuppence Ha'Penny

For 59 cents you could purchase matching clip earrings to go with your hair accessory!
Catalog reprint courtesy vintagedancer.com

Hollywood stars embraced the floral hair accessory trend....

Joan Bennett
Courtesy myloveofoldhollywood.blogspot.com

Gene Marshall
Courtesy Monolithic Studios

Betty Grable
Courtesy lipstickandcurls.net

Ann Sheridan
Courtesy listal.com

Costume credits:

Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall wears the pinstriped suit from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection. Fur is from miniature furrier PD Root. Gloves, scarf, brooch, and hair corsage are from The Couture Touch. Handbag is from Ashton Drake. To Have and To Hold Gene Marshall, enhanced with an articulated body from Integrity, is from Ashton Drake. Her 40's-style coif is from The Couture Touch. 

More Snoods, Hoods, & Drapery

Gene Marshall

A beaded, knit beret functions beautifully as an elegant evening snood to complement Madra Lord's luscious "Jackpot" ensemble. Belle of the Ball Gene Marshall is from the 2001 Oil Baron's Ball Tulsa Gene convention. Jacket and earrings are from Ashton Drake. Beret/snood was purchased at a doll show.

Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall elevates the "Little Black Dress" to high drama with over-the-top accessorizing. Sandra Stillwell's "Cover Girl" hat gets the royal treatment with the addition of a merino wool jersey hood. The matching suede gauntlet gloves are a miniature replica of a pair in my collection. Fur from miniature furrier PD Root, purse from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection. Dress from Ashton Drake. Star Entrance Gene Marshall is from Integrity.

Madra Lord

Miss Lord is stepping out in ultimate de rigueur style to walk Fifi and Mitzi!  Her fabulous suit is accented with a bold drape of color. The platter hat from Sandra Stillwell's "Zoe" costume is updated with a royal blue, wool jersey scarf to match the suede gloves. Suit is from Robert Tonner's "Par Excellence" Brenda Starr ensemble. Booties, dogs, and chair are from Ashton Drake. Deep Rose Madra Lord is from Integrity's Stepping High Collection.

Vivian Leigh

The always stylish Miss Leigh combines a little drapery with a net snood to complement a smart fedora.

Even Rosie gets into the fashion fun with a warm knit hood.

1940's Fashion: Real Women Inspiration

Photo courtesy marieclaire.co.uk

Photo courtesy stylebubble.co.uk

Photo courtesy vintage-retro.tumblr.com/

Hmm, do I see a recurring theme here?  From fabulous suits to fashionable hats!

Havana, Cuba 1946
Photo courtesy stirredstraightup.blogspot.com

And the real woman that inspires me every day... my mom.

Photographed by the Fox River in Geneva, Illinois.
March 1946.

Snoods, Hoods, & Drapery

It's those little details that often set the tone for an outfit. From Pre-War drama to Post-War charm, Monolithic Studios' star Miss Gene Marshall shows her unique style with 1940's fashion details.

It's 1939 and the world is at the brink of war. Intrigue and espionage are in the air. Gene is ready with a dramatic ensemble featuring a hood that falls into draping at the neckline. Matching gauntlet gloves and a black felt tricorne hat complete the femme fatale look. Handbag is from an unknown designer. OOAK suit ensemble is from The Couture Touch. Star Entrance Gene Marshall is from Integrity.

Restaurant dining during the 1940's calls for a tailored, yet elegant and refined look. A rich silk velvet snood with matching gloves accent the beautifully detailed dress from Ashton Drake's "Lunch at the Green Parrot" Violet Waters costume. Snood, gloves, and belt are from The Couture Touch. Cuff bracelet is from Integrity. Fashion Plot Gene Marshall with restyled hair is from Ashton Drake.

 

Asymmetric styling through drapery was a popular feature in dresses during the 1940's. What better way to soften a tailored, fitted jacket than with a chiffon drape re-purposed from the FAO Schwarz Exclusive "Warmest Wishes" set. Jacket, handbag, and embroidered gloves are all from Ashton Drake. Shoes are from Integrity. Hat is from Mattel's "Publicity Tour". Skirt is from an early Gene convention suit ensemble. A re-coiffed Film Fatale Gene Marshall, enhanced with an articulated body from Integrity, is from Ashton Drake.