The early 1940s began as a natural continuation of late-1930s glamour. Soft, shoulder-length waves, deep side partings, and polished movement still dominated, carrying forward the Hollywood elegance established before the war — styles were smooth, feminine, and carefully styled.
As the decade progressed, however, hairstyles shifted decisively. Wartime realities demanded practicality, and hair became more structured and controlled. Volume moved upward, fronts were sculpted into rolls, lengths were shortened or secured, and curls tightened. The result was a new balance of strength and femininity—styles that framed the face with purpose and confidence. These practical yet expressive looks defined the 1940s and directly set the stage for the bold glamour of the 1950s.
The Defining 1940s Looks
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Soft Shoulder-Length Waves
Lauren Bacall, 1943 — At the start of the 1940s, shoulder-length waves carried over directly from late-1930s glamour. Hair was still worn longer and softly waved, with deep side partings and controlled shine rather than heavy volume. These styles reflect continuity rather than change, appearing most clearly in the early war years before practicality reshaped everyday hair.
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Short “Poodle” Curls
Rita Hayworth, 1942 — Short, tightly curled “poodle” styles appeared earlier than is often assumed, becoming visible in the early 1940s alongside rolled and waved looks. In these earlier examples, curls were controlled and polished rather than exaggerated. As the decade progressed, the style grew more widespread and practical, with tighter curls sitting close to the head for ease of wear.
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Victory Rolls and Rolled Fringes
Rita Hayworth, taken around 1945 
Carmen Miranda, circa 1944 — Victory rolls are the most iconic hairstyle of the 1940s. Sculpted rolls sit at the crown or temples, lifting the hair away from the face and creating a bold, confident outline. Alongside them, rolled fringes (sometimes called rolled bangs) used the same technique in a sleeker, more everyday way—giving lift and shape at the front without the full “two-roll” victory-roll silhouette.
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The Pageboy
Deborah Burrows wearing a neat, rolled-under pageboy hairstyle — The pageboy was one of the most practical everyday hairstyles of the 1940s. Smooth at the crown with ends rolled neatly under, it kept hair controlled and tidy while still appearing feminine. Often worn with a soft wave or slight curl, the pageboy suited both casual wear and more polished looks.
Shop the Era
The 1940s were defined by strength, adaptability, and evolving femininity. From sculpted victory rolls to soft curls and practical pageboys, the decade’s hairstyles reflect a balance of confidence and elegance. Our 1940s-inspired wigs recreate these authentic silhouettes, capturing the spirit of a decade that shaped modern glamour.