Since hats and turbans were exempt from rationing, women put their creative skills to work to fashion for themselves confections to wear on their heads. Made from various scraps of straw, wood shavings, and ribbon, many women went to work to fashion hats to expand their limited and drab wardrobes. By 1943, the saying Alles ist Hut shifted to Altes kleid – neuer Hut or old dress – new hat to reflect the shift from a new dress changing and updating the woman’s look to a new hat or turban doing the work. The magazine Das Reich suggested too that turbans were incredibly popular and could be decorated with ribbons, straw, flowers, etc.
Hats and turbans were exceptionally popular in not only Germany but in the U.S., Britain, France, and other countries because of their very practical nature. Shortages and rationing extended to so much beyond clothes and included shampoo and other personals concerning hair care. To cover ones hair, or to simply try to keep it clean, headwear was the fashionable solution. Headwear during this period was also incredibly flexible in terms of style due to the variety of materials that were used.
Below, some images depicting some of the styles of hats available. I bet you are wondering what is the difference between a German hat and . . . lets say an American hat. Well, the answer is simple. . .there is no apparent difference. Images are from a variety of countries so enjoy! T If you would like to see some distinctly German examples, Check out the Frauen - Warte pages which you can find by clicking the label 'Frauen - Warte' on the right.
Below, some images depicting some of the styles of hats available. I bet you are wondering what is the difference between a German hat and . . . lets say an American hat. Well, the answer is simple. . .there is no apparent difference. Images are from a variety of countries so enjoy! T If you would like to see some distinctly German examples, Check out the Frauen - Warte pages which you can find by clicking the label 'Frauen - Warte' on the right.
Hair dos done up were equally as popular as turbans (which you can see more of here and here) because of the lack of shampoo. In fact, the up dos were coined Entwarnungsfrisur or “all clear” because the hair was cleared out of one’s way. Hair swept up and out of the way was not only sanitary but safe too especially for those who worked in factories or fields. For hair, center or side parts were popular. Hair at jaw length or around the ear when done up. Essentially, off the shoulder was most common for practical purposes. Fashionable hair varied in length and style.
Guenther, Irene. Nazi Chic?: Fashioning Women in the Third Reich. New York: Berg, 2004.
