Everyday Runway: Factory Workers.

Welcome to a new feature of the blog! Every weekish (as often as I can) 

I will be bringing you fashion inspiration from every day women of the

 past, teamed with my over enthusiastic fashion based ramblings!

 This week its the hard working women of the American war time

 aviation and tire factories. All images are from the OWI 

(Office for War Information) campaign published in 1944.

(October 1942 Air craft assembly line worker.)

Douglas Air Craft Company Plant in Long Beach, California. 

I love the contrasting colours in this outfit, the red socks against the petrol

blue work trousers, mustard yellow shirt and forest green tool box.

I think this is a look defiantly for the brunettes though, there's a risk

of it becoming cartoonish with my platinum locks. 

(October 1942 Clerk inspecting stock room)

North American Aviation Inc. Inglewood, California

Now this is a look for me. This hair style is so unusual to see from side on, 

I love the idea of using a scarf tied on top of the head to support a bun at the

nape of the neck.  Notice how she has tried to glam up her work wear with

 little marcasite earrings! 

(October 1942 Operating a hand drill on the assembly line)
North American Aviation Inc. Inglewood, California
Oh my god I want to be this woman, she is so cute! From the pin stripe shirt 

to the round glasses and rose bud lips, its all so perfect!

(October 1942 Two air craft assembly line workers.)

Douglas Air Craft Company Plant in Long Beach, California. 

Here's the gal from the first image again hanging out with her equally

stylish pal, who appears to be working a more subtle colour clashing

 look. I am actually in the process of knitting a cardigan nearly identical 

to her yellow number but in a maroon. A colour more suitable to 

autumn, which is when I will probably finally finish the bloody thing.

(October 1942 Navigation Class.)
North American Aviation Inc. Inglewood, California
I have no idea what she's doing. I like to think she's Measuring 
how awesome her  summer frock is. And the answer is very. 
Check out that little white collar! It's absolutely adorable.

(February 1943 Filing small gun parts)

Vilter Manufacturing Company Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

This woman made plaid shirts cool before all the beardy hipsters got

hold of them.

(October 1942. Air craft assembly line worker.)

Douglas Air Craft Company Plant in Long Beach, California. 

Now I think this is yellow cardigan lady again with change of 

outfit here we see her in a smart coral vest. I have seen these in 

charity shops before and turned them down in the fear they might

 appear to frumpy, but I think she demonstrates that the  key is 

getting a nice tight fit as well as teaming it up with a starched 

white shirt and cheesy grin.

(October 1942 Beulah faith, 20.)

Consolidated Aircraft Corp in Fort Worth, Texas

This is my absolute favourite of all the looks. She obviously

 put this outfit together based solely on practicality but

still manages to look the most stylish of the bunch. I am currently

bidding on a little brown cap and white overalls on every ones

favourite auction site in the hope of recreating this look. 

(although I don't think I will get so grubby.)

(October 1942 Female worker at lunch.)

Douglas Air Craft Company Plant in Long Beach, California. 

This lady like me, is partial to a hot beverage. Although, she 

unlike me, looks amazing in a pair of denim crops. 

(December 1941 Manufacture of self-sealing gas tanks)

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio

And I leave you with this, a truly beautiful piece of war time

nautical inspired tailing, check out those shoulders! 

I hope you enjoyed this new post topic,

and let me know which one inspires you the most! 

Harriett x