I was invited to a 40s Hollywood glam party recently at Toronto’s luxurious Royal York Hotel. As per my usual, I Googled all things 40s, hoping to find another blogger’s account of their 40s DIY look. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy, although I did find plenty of resources of YouTube for hair and make-up; and then searched through vintage catalogues and photos of 40s actresses for outfit ideas.

Amazingly I just happened to have this white chiffon dress with an accordion skirt (me on left) hanging in my closet waiting for the perfect event! I found this photo of actress/model Veronica Lake (right), circa sometime in the 40s!

My Simple Hollywood Glam 40s Outfit Breakdown:

(background: Although the Cold War was going on, Hollywood, as always, seemed unaffected by global deficiencies. Apparently, ‘The Office of War’ declared movies an essential industry for morale and propaganda. People were starving everywhere, yet the silver screen showed glamour, wealth and abundance. Common women attempted to follow fashionable suit, and although leather and fabric were rationed and even if a woman couldn’t afford furs and jewels, she would be sure to do her hair and shine her shoes.)

Dresses: Ladies wore dresses in the 40s and for a party, the silkier and glamorous the better! Preferably light colors, chiffon, silk, lace and satin. Most common evening gown styles are heart-shaped necklines; small-waisted; and even strapless. Length: long or at least below the knee.

Shoes:The most common worn are medium heel height (not too thin), t-strap or lace ups.

Photo: Inspired 40s Steven Meisel for US Vogue September 2009 featuring Coco Rocha, Karen Elson, Liya Kebede, Sasha Pivovarova, and Viktoriya Sasonkina

Accessories: This is what counts for dressing for any occasion:

• flower, feathers or some other hair decoration
• diamante earrings/pearls
• shoulder pads (to balance big hair) if applicable
• fur stoles
• nylons with a line up the back (that was drawn on by women in the 40s)
• gloves

Make-Up and Hair:

YouTube is the best source for this!! So many ‘pin-up’ how-to video’s including how to do hair rolls, rockabilly hair and pin-up girl make-up, etc… For my hair, I used bobby pins to stick in a bunch of faux dollar store feathers and a giant flower. I curled using a YouTube video technique.

YouTube 40s Hair >>
YouTube 40s Make-Up >>

photo: The Cherry Blossom Girl

ChickAdvisor.ca asks in their recent DIY Half Moon Manicure blog post – Hot or Not? And I had to share this after seeing The Cherry Blossom Girl’s tres chic, jewelled half moon manicure .

The new trend, following the spring 2011 runway look, is to reverse the french manicure, leaving nails blank and just adding color to the ‘moon’ as opposed to the Dita Von Teese classic of leaving moons white. Two tone would be hot using trendy spring 2011 pastels or grey too.

Apparently celebs are already making this popular (who knew) so I better get on it. Just need to get me some 3-hole reinforcement stickers and try it myself.

I am a DIYer at heart but rarely have the time to start or complete projects. Fortunately, this time I was inspired and encouraged to come up with a fairly easy, yet super stylish accessory using easy to find items for a recent outfit.

DIY Shoulder Pads – Using dollar store items and leftover fabric – 2 Hours:

Faux fur | Chains & Ribbon (dollar store) | Pendants/Brooches (cheap jewellery store) | Glue | Thread

2. I could have left the fur wild, but chose to glue it under.

3. To keep the fur from lifting around the edges, I attached some iron-able interfacing on the underside (glues everything together).

4. Then I attached some chains, embellishments, and voila! I attached them to my shirt with double-sided tape and safety pins.

* The best thing about this DIY is that you can use absolutely anything you have. You don’t even need shoulder pads but can start off by cutting fabric in the shape you want. You can attach any old jewels, ribbon, feathers… for a custom look *

Every year as Christmas comes around, I ambitiously make a list of all the things I can/want/might make for people to give as gifts. And honestly, it rarely happens – However, after seeing some great street fashion photos from other blogs, maybe, just maybe I’ll be inspired to get a little crafty.

There are a zillion ideas for easy homemade gifts like bath bombs, earring holder frames, collage art,  fridge magnets…

But instead I thought it’d be much more fun to compile a DIY Fashionista Gift List – but beware, if you attempt any of these projects, you may end up keeping the ‘gift’ for yourself.

1. Shredded Shirts (photo from yvanrodic.blogspot.com)

How hard can this be? I figure you can take any shirt, new or used, and slice it up with a blade or exacto knife. I haven’t tried it, but judging from the outcome, looks like there is no right or wrong.

2. Safety Pin Shoulders, Bow Ties, T-Shirts…The possibilities are endless (ideas and photos at El Bosquejo )

Now this is a too cool gift and I’m not sure I know many people who could appreciate this kind of fashionable art. That aside, think of all the possibilities…

3. Miu Miu Thigh Highs – courtesy of Nylon Magazine

Requires some stockings, a bunch of dollar store craft supplies and some thread and needle knowledge. Maybe sit down in front of the tube and get to work – consider it the new knitting…

Karl Lagermouse

And if DIY gifting isn’t your thing, check out Alison Lawler-Dean’s beautiful blog Gifted with it’s pages of amazing, unique gift ideas you can buy (there’s even a DIY section for innovative giving)!

Bring in a picture and make a button for $1!

Simply send The Rage an E-mail info@ragetoronto.ca to make your own buttons:

Get the template here:
http://www.ragetoronto.ca/images/1inch.jpg
http://www.ragetoronto.ca/images/1inch.pdf

Get in touch if you’d like further assistance:
Phone. 416.599.5177

These photos from Wollies Etsy Shop