Home Front Friday: All Hallow’s Eve

Home Front Friday is a regular series that highlights the can do spirit on the Home Front during World War II and illustrates how that spirit is still alive today!

Halloween has evolved over the decades.  During World War II, sugar was rationed, so treats were different than one might find in their pumpkin today.  Community organizations threw parties for kids – and at those events kids showed off their creativity by coming up with costumes using what materials they could come up with at their home or by scouring the neighborhood to come up with costumes.  Today, why not honor that creative crafty DIY spirit and make your own costume?

Some of our Museum staff make great Rosie the Riveters! And some of our visitors do too!

Our Victory Belle Dody recently shared how to make your own Rosie the Riveter costume.

All you need is:

1. A red and white bandanna

2. An over-sized denim button-down shirt

3. Blue jeans

4. 1940’s hairstyle: curl your hair (Belles use Caruso steam curlers for the authentic 40’s style curl). Part your hair on the side and take small sections of hair on either side of the part around the temples. Roll those sections with your fingers and sit them close to the hairline. Pin them so they feel secure. Now you have Victory Rolls and luscious curls!

5. 1940’s makeup: emphasize eyebrows using pencil or powder. Add some false lashes for the Hollywood glamour look. Keep cheeks simple with soft pink tones, and top those lips with really red lipstick! Paint nails red to complete the look!

Happy Halloween!

Posted by Lauren Handley, Education Programs Coordinator at The National WWII Museum.