Snoods were a popular hair accessory in the 1940s for both daytime and work. They were a rayon or cotton crocheted net fitted with a headband. A headscarf could also be tied like a snood. The band, which was pinned in place, was worn around the top of the head and all of the hair would be encased in the snood. This hairstyle was especially useful for women working in factories because their hair had to be kept back.
Most snoods of the 1940s were knit or crocheted, making them popular for a number of reasons. 1 Crochet itself was common hobby, with many women learning or already able to do so, 2. Yarn was relatively cheap, and 3. Yard could re-purposed from an old garment. The selection of colors available was also wide and varied, making it possible to have a matching snood for every outfit.
Snoods were often attached to a ribbon tied in a bow at the top of the crown or to a hat, either matching crochet or felt.
Here are some fabulous 1940s snoods:
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- A hair snood from the early 1940s.
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- Hair snoods keep these ladies working in 1942
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- Working in a garden with a snood on
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- Factory worker wears a hair net/snood
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- WW2 Rosie in a Sweater with Butterfly Applique made of ribbon
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- 1940s Knit Cardigans & Snoods
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- Half snood with ribbon bow tie
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- A 1940s Snood with an open crown.
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- Simple Knit Snood
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- A 1940s Snood with an open crown.
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- Crochet snood with ribbon tie
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- Hair net/snood with pillbox hat
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- Snood with bow tie in center
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- Beautiful snood from the 1940s.
For this style, take the snood and fill it with hair from the bottom. Place the band of the snood where you would a headband and pin in place with two bobby pins crossed in an X. You may also want to pin the side above your ears if you have slippery hair. You can also use a hairnet first to help keep you hair from sticking through the knit.
Snoods can be very difficult to find online. Luckily my friend at the TinselTownAccessories on Etsy makes snoods and other hair accessories in every color you could want.
1940 Video of ladies wearing dresses with snoods
Multiple YouTube videos of making and wearing a 1940s snood
Shop 1940s snoods, hats and hair accessories:
Debbie Sessions has been teaching fashion history and helping people dress for vintage themed events since 2009. She has turned a hobby into VintageDancer.com with hundreds of well researched articles and hand picked links to vintage inspired clothing online. She aims to make dressing accurately (or not) an affordable option for all. Oh, and she dances too.
