Rosie the Riveter Costume | Women and the War Effort WWII
Ranked #1,059 in Fashion & Beauty, #17,482 overall
How to Put Together a Rosie the Riveter Costume
One of the best things about Rosie the Riveter is that, unlike many other vintage costumes, her look is easy and inexpensive to put together. All you need is a red bandana, some blue coveralls, and you're practically there.
Of course, you're not limited to Rosie's own look. Rosie merely represented the tens of thousands of women who took over industrial work when men went off to fight. Putting together a costume from the Home Front is easy. Read on to learn how to do it!
Women in the Workforce
The Factories of WWII
For a woman at work in the factories during WWII, comfort and practicality were key. Her outfit included sturdy shoes, like oxfords, flats, or work boots. She may have worn overalls, coveralls, or jeans with a button down work shirt. She would have worn her hair pulled back from her face, covered by a scarf or snood to avoid getting it tangled in machinery.
This is not to say that women sacrificed their glamor. Stylish, easy-to-manage hairstyles became popular. Many women wore mascara and powder even on the factory floor. Lipsticks in "complementary" shades were popular; these colors, like oranges, light reds, or berry shades, enhanced a woman's natural lip color.
Rosie the Riveter's Outfit: Overalls, Coveralls, and Jeans
Practical Clothing for Work on the Home Front
Home Front Poster: Woman Ordinance Worker
The girl he left behind is still behind him. She's a WOW.
She's a WOW -...
Buy This at Allposters.com
Rosie the Riveter isn't the only visual reference for women in wartime factories. This WOW, or Woman Ordinance Worker, has exchanged Rosie's coveralls for jeans and a blouse. She's also added a pair of sturdy work gloves. Notice her make-up is still perfect!
Vintage Women's Blouses on eBay
Practical and feminine
Poll: How do you like your vintage costumes?
Some people are real sticklers when it comes to vintage and period dress. They like their clothes to be as vintage as possible -- if it's not actual vintage clothing, then it should be made out of the materials that would have been available in that time period. These are the people who get twitchy when they see a zipper on a costume at a local Dickens Fair.
Other people only care if they're look suggests the vintage they're going for. They don't mind buying modern styles and materials, and they use details like hair, make up, and accessories to pull their look into the vintage realm.
Vintage Coveralls on eBay
Hairstyles on the Home Front
Poster: Women perparing munitions
Women workers Betty Wainwright and Opal Burchette, Prep for Invasion of Nazi in Europe During WWII Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
These women are preparing for a Nazi invasion of Europe, but that doesn't mean they didn't style their hair. Hairdos were curled or set in waves, and for work, they were contained by a hairnet, a scarf, or a snood.
What You Will Need for your Home Front Hair Style
Bobby pins. Lots of 'em.
Many women wore their hair shorter during the war, but it was always styled. That means you'll also need hair spray or some sort of holding product. You'll probably need curlers, rollers, or a curling iron as well. And if your hair is medium length or longer, you'll need bobby pins. Lots and lots of bobby pins.
Rosie the Riveter Hairstyle Tutorial
1940s Styling Tutorials on YouTube
Snoods and Scarves on eBay
An alternative to the bandana
Saving Face: Make-Up On the Home Front
Rosie the Riveter Make Up
Just because Rosie works in a factory doesn't mean she goes without make up. To look like Rosie, you'll need to have your face powder and lipstick with you at all times. You'll also need eyeliner, lip liner, and mascara. You can also wear a bit of blush and some eyeshadow in natural shades -- just remember, 1940s make up was all about the lips and lashes.
Rosie the Riveter Make Up
What you'll need to complete your look
The eyebrows were always delineated. Any thickness was OK as long as it was drawn into a graceful arch. Eyebrows and eyeliner was black or black-brown.
Women Work for Victory
In sensible shoes.
Since women factory workers were on their feet all day, their shoes had to be practical and comfortable. This usually meant flats or lace-up oxfords with a low heel.
Vintage 1940s Shoes on eBay
Rosie the Riveter Adult Costume
If you *have* to do it the easy way
Forum Rosie The Riveter Adult 1940s WW 2 Halloween Costume
Amazon Price: $36.99 (as of 06/04/2012)
Women and the War
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Are you going as Rosie the Riveter for Hallowe'en?
Let us know!
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jimmyworldstar
Dec 7, 2011 @ 1:54 am | delete
- This is a great lens. I'm a guy but I've yet to see anyone dress up as a Rosie. There's a certain appeal to me seeing a woman doing factory work.
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WonderBright
Nov 6, 2011 @ 11:33 am | delete
- I love your lens! I love Rosie!! I don't know if you've seen it, but mybabyjo vintage actually MAKES a rockin' Rosie the Riveter coveralls in four colors, remade from an original design they found at an estate sale. They make them in a real strong twill, so they're made to work in. They also make really cool kerchiefs with elastic on them in super pretty prints! Check them out at http://www.mybabyjo.com/Riveting-Jumpsuit-Black-9370.htm
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Oct 26, 2011 @ 5:13 pm | delete
- Yes I am going to be a Rosie type girl for halloween I even have a WOW (woman ordinance workers) bandana that I will be wearing I <3 the 40's!!
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LubosLabik
Oct 12, 2011 @ 2:42 pm | delete
- Hm I don't know yet. Maybe....
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Tipi
Mar 29, 2011 @ 4:53 pm | delete
- You have made a very fun and entertaining lens her. I lensrolled this to Pin Up Girls of World War II Paper Dolls, because Rosie should have always been considered one. What a gal!
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