By Anonymous, 01 June 2016, 14:43PM
Enjoy a summer evening on the home front as Blists Hill Victorian Town, near Ironbridge, travels forwards to the 1940s with vintage entertainment, activities and characters from the World War II era at ‘Blitz Hill’ on Saturday, 18th June.
Dress up in your finest 1940s civilian costume, pencil-on your stocking seams, grab your ration book and get ready to ‘make do and mend’ at this fantastic fun event.
Here the Museums’ fashion experts in the costume team offer some advice and tips to anyone wanting to come dressed in 1940s style, especially helpful for anyone feeling daunted by finding the ‘right’ outfit for Blitz Hill.
Sharon Watkins, wardrobe assistant, says: "Don’t worry about finding genuine 1940s clothes – it’ll be really hard to come across the perfect size, style and fit in your average charity shop. Luckily, gorgeous 1940s style is very easy to fake".
Let’s start with ladies fashion and the perfect dress. For an almost instant forties-vibe you can just grab yourself a tea dress. Keep it a simple with a plain, pretty dress that ends at the knee. Typically a 1940s dress would have short sleeves so team it with a little cardigan or jacket to keep warm as the sun sets.
You could opt for separates and wear a skirt and blouse, again keeping the fabric plain or lightly patterned. Skirts should be A-line or slim-line and the blouse should be cotton with small puffed sleeves. Add a knee-length coat, nipped in at the waist for a classic forties look.
A woman in the 1940s wouldn’t be out and about in stilettos – a sensible wedge heel or flat lace-up brogue is the order of the day where shoes are concerned.
And the finishing touches to this stunning forties look – hair and make-up. Heat-up your rollers and get practicing a Victory Roll or simply tie-up your hair using a snood or turban. 1940s make-up is very simple: red lipstick and black eyeliner on your top lids.
For a gentleman it’s a doddle to look like a dapper forties man-about-town. Grab a pair of wide-legged trousers, a plain shirt with a turn-down collar and a smart jacket. Match them with a tie, waistcoat or tank-top and finish off the look with a flat-cap, fedora or pork pie hat.
Complete your outfit with dark brown or black shoes or boots and a trench coat. Don’t forget to Brylcream your hair – slicked back and shiny is the look you’re after.
Sharon says her top tip is: "This is wartime Britain and everyone is ‘making do’ so your clothing should be plain and unembellished. Colours should be sober, buttons scarce and excessive adornments avoided."
Tickets to Blitz Hill must be purchased in advance either online at www.ironbridge.org.uk; or in person from Blists Hill Victorian Town, Enginuity, Coalport China Museum or the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre. Prices are £9.50 for adults and the 60 plus; £6 for children aged 3-15 and £26.50 for a family of two adults and two children, under 3s free; Annual Passport Tickets are not valid for this evening. All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Some activities carry an extra charge.
For further details call Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).
2016 marks 30 years since the Ironbridge Gorge was added to UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage Site list. Blists Hill, together with the other nine Ironbridge Gorge Museums, will be celebrating this anniversary throughout the year with a variety of activities and events.
