What were the hair styles of 1947?

Hair
styles in 1947 America were a reflection of the major social transformations occurring in the
United States in the wake of World War II and the return home of hundreds of thousands of
military veterans.  The United States had emerged from the war a major world power for the first
time and, combined with the post-war euphoria that swept the country.  War-era cultural
restrictions on glamour €“ except in film €“ due to the rationing and austerity associated with
the war-time economy gave way to what was called the New Look, introduced by designer
Christian Dior, in which more opulent looks began to emerge.  Changes in hair styles reflected
this trend.  While hair length remained somewhat constant, it was curled or rolled into styles
distinct from those earlier in the decade.  Hair continued to be done up, but with stylistic
differences, including the way in which curls were incorporated into the hair style.  A
carry-over from the war years, when women had to be careful about containing their hair and
preventing it from getting tangled in factory equipment, was the use of scarves to cover the
hair, as well as the continued use of hats. 

The dominant, defining feature
of 1947 hair styles for women, though, was the use of waves, curls and rolls.  Many women of
that era wore their hair with prominent rolls front and center as well as in the back.  One
popular style was referred to as the victory roll, in homage to the wars outcome and Americas
emergence on the world stage.  Others were copied from the glamour Hollywood actresses of the
time, including Veronica Lake and Rita Hayworth.  Another feature of the period in question was
the use of braids, usually rolled and set atop the head.

Hairstyles for men
were, unsurprisingly, a little more subdued.  While mens haircuts would evolve away from the
military-style haircuts of the war years, the changes would mainly involve length €“ the buzz
cuts required of military service no longer necessary €“ and the beginning of the incorporation
of ducktails and thicker, slicked-back styles, although major changes in mens hair styles would
not become particularly noteworthy until the early 1950s, with the introduction of influences by
entertainers and actors like Elvis Presley and James Dean.