Teenage girls of the 1940s enjoyed the independence that many modern teens would envy. Their parents and teachers encouraged them to dress well to find a man to marry and work a part-time job so that they could buy expensive wedding China. As soon as the youths were old enough to work part-time, both mom and dad worked away from home. The lack of young boys and parents to please left teenage girls with a surprising degree of independence and a lot of disposable income.
Students had to follow a strict dress code in school, which dictated everything from the blouse, skirt, socks, shoes, jeweler, and even hairstyle. Outside of school, they had more options for spending their free time. The girls bought the clothes they wanted to wear: sweaters, skirts, socks, loafers, and eyeglasses painted with nail polish. The girls of the 1940s grew up in an exciting and rapidly changing world. As society returned to “normal” after the war, these girls had already tasted independence that they couldn’t bear to let go of.
Below are some fabulous vintage photos of teenage girls enjoying their freedom from the 1940s.
