The Bedroom

In the master bedroom of the 1940s house, twin beds were often an indicator of wealth and social status, partly influenced by American films. At the dressing table, women carried out their time-consuming 'Beauty for Duty' rituals, although cosmetics were far from plentiful.

During the war, make-up fulfilled an important role as an instant 'feminiser' and morale booster and was even produced in shades to match air-raid shelters and gas masks! Red lipstick was seen as a symbol of patriotism, as women were urged to defy hardship by making the most of their appearance. In the absence of proper lipstick, beetroot juice was better than nothing.

Due to wartime shortages it was virtually illegal to manufacture hair and beauty products. This encouraged women to buy products on the black market and even legitimate shops sold nail varnish disguised as ladder stop. Besides, women had to look their best with all those servicemen around! Stockings might be found on the black market and, later in the war, many women befriended an American GI in the hope of a pair of the new nylon stockings. Otherwise it was a matter of making do with leg make up (Max Factor introduced stocking cream in response to shortages), shoe polish or gravy browning, completed by a line drawn in eyebrow pencil up the back of the legs by a friend.

The 1940s wardrobe was rather basic - fabrics were scarce, and the austere mood was reflected in practical clothes in muted shades. Women were encouraged to 'Make Do and Mend'. A 'Mrs. Sew and Sew' featured in advertisements in women's magazines and propaganda cinema clips, promoting the idea of recycling textiles. But it seemed that neither blitz, rations nor blackouts could dampen women's interest in fashion. Which lipstick looks best with a khaki uniform? How do you make an evening gown out of a parachute and a winter coat from a blanket? 1940s women had the answers to all these questions and magazines were packed with handy tips. One such article explained how old lace curtains might be cut up to make a 'dashing little bolero'!

In fact, 1940s women became so enterprising that they turned their husbands' 1930s suits into chic women's suits for themselves. In the 1940s, the fashion was for short skirts, sensible flat-heeled shoes and square shouldered jackets rather like the cut of uniforms - these were the basic features of the wartime 'Utility fashions'. Utility clothing was marked with a label bearing the CC41 symbol, which stood for Civilian Clothing, rationed from 1941 onwards. Utility clothes were made according to government patterns and were simple, plain and practical; a minimum of detailing, pockets and pleats ensured that no fabric was wasted.

When clothes rationing was first introduced, everyone had 66 clothes coupons a year, which allowed the average woman one new outfit. In 1942 the ration was reduced to 60 coupons per 15 months, which allowed a man to buy only one pair of trousers, one jacket and a pair of pants every two years. Some less fashion-conscious men were said to like an excuse for 'comfortable' dressing.

On average, rations allowed adults half their pre-war consumption of clothing and the Board of Trade exerted influence over sales by adjusting the points-value of garments. Children's clothes had a low coupon value because children were always outgrowing them. Clothes rationing, unlike food rationing, was not introduced to share out limited supplies but rather to reduce manufacturing, so that factory space and 450,000 workers could be freed up to make munitions for the war.

Also present in the 1940s wardrobe were hats, gloves and gas masks. Hats were easily adapted by adding flowers or feathers. Gas masks were a little harder to hide, so bags were made to house the cardboard box and gas mask. Some were even incorporated into handbags as a false bottom!