Wig work: 1940's Factory Workers

I am so fascinated by this movement of the war that I am going to research into factory workers and create a factory girl character based on the 1940's.

As previously mentioned, The WW11 reflected on the way peoples attitudes changed and also how it changed their appearance. During World War II many men had to leave their factory jobs to go and fight so woman stepped up and took control of the factories. They quickly picked up and exceeded in male-dominated trades such as welding, riveting and engine repair. Women were essential for the production and supply of goods to our troops fighting abroad. Although the woman worked hard in the factories offering their services to the war, some employers still denied them equal pay. The biggest demand for female labour came from the new weapons in factories. There was some controversy with women to enter the factories. Some didn't want to leave their homes and some husbands didn't want their wives working.

Image from: https://www.pinterest.com/evageline1/clothing-lifestyles-1940-1949/

Despite the fact that women didn't have choice in working, there was a great community spirit in the factories as the woman knew they were doing to contribute to the war. Before the war, employers often classified work into "male" and "female" jobs, the "female" jobs being payed less which is why many of them were motivated to work as they were being paid which is something many of them never had before.

The war didn't just start the movement of equality it also changed appearance of many due to the fact they had to do manual labour. Being in the fields, factories and armed forces woman were required to keep their hair out the way of equipment and machinery. Everyday hair products like shampoo were difficult to get hold of and water was rationed so washing hair was a luxury. Scarves were used to to help keep hair protected from dirt and to hide a bad hair day. I also mentioned the snood which were used for everyday wear and for work. This hairstyle was especially useful for woman working in factories as it kept their hair out of the way and to stop it from getting caught in machinery. Factory workers wore overalls, big shirts and aprons that they didn't mind getting dirty.