7 Sexy Vintage Head Scarf Styles - Inspiring Retro 1940s and 1950s Head Scarf Outfits
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Vintage head scarf styles, the vintage head scarf aesthetic, including the 1940s head scarf and 1950s vintage scarves styles, which were some of the most iconic Old Hollywood Glamour looks.
This post is all about Vintage Head Scarfs
“I wish I was born in that era: dancing with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, going to work at the studio dressed in beautiful pants, head scarves, and sunglasses.” - Catherine Zeta-Jones
The vintage head scarf is timeless accessory, that is both versatile (and practical!) as well as chic. It has been a favorite fashion accessory for women throughout the ages, from the Medieval days, when peasant women wore head scarves for field and house work, while the ladies of the castle wore them for fashion.
They were especially cemented as a fashion (and uniform!) must have during the 1940s, 1950s and days of Old Hollywood Glamour.
We rounded up a selection of the most iconic vintage head scarf styles, spanning looks from the everyday 1940s working girl, to the most iconic looks memorialized by none other than Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe.
#1: Vintage Head Scarf Style: Loose drape style
This vintage head scarf aesthetic is full coverage, with the oversized scarf artfully draped in a dramatic fluid style in front of the neck, with the ends flowing over the back.
“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” — Lucille Ball
The hilarious redhead, Lucille Ball, best known for her TV show I Love Lucy demonstrates how mysterious and sexy this vintage head scarf style is!
What we love about the flowy vintage head scarf style is that it’s a bold statement look that makes you look both glam and mysterious.
This style looks just as fabulous on short or long hair, and is perfect to protect a fresh hairdo, or glam up your bedhead look.
To really master this 1950s head scarf style, don’t forget your pin curls the night before, the red lipstick for your come-hither pout... and to never tell your real age!
#2: Vintage Head Scarf Style: Front tie
This vintage head scarf aesthetic has full coverage, with the scarf ends tied in front knot for an extra touch of pizzaz!
This iconic vintage head scarf style simply oozes Old Hollywood Glamour.
The vintage head scarf style is one of the famous go-to looks for the fashion icon Audrey Hepburn as well as Jackie Kennedy.
“When I wear a silk scarf I never feel so definitely like a woman, a beautiful woman.” - Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Jackie Kennedy wear vintage head scarfs in a front tie style
The secret to this 1950s vintage head scarf look?
Don’t be afraid to go bold.
If you have dark hair like Audrey Hepburn, choose a light colored head scarf. Alternatively, if you have lighter hair, select a dark head scarf. Vibrant multi-colored head scarfs that complement your skin tone will always win retro fashion points.
We love how Jackie O, the fashion forward former first lady, also rocked this vintage head scarf look!
Notice how Jackie Kennedy paired a bold statement print head scarf with her dark hair, and classy outfit. The result? A chic traffic stopping retro look!
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7 Incredibly Chic ways to copy Audrey Hepburn Fashion Aesthetic
Marilyn Monroe also rocks this Old Hollywood Glamour 1950s vintage scarf style.
Notice how this similar vintage head style style is full coverage, with the scarf tied deftly in a stylish front knot.
Marilyn Monroe pairs a lovely light colored head scarf over her blonde locks for a perfectly summery vintage outfit.
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#3: Vintage Head Scarf Style: Hidden tie
This vintage head scarf aesthetic is characterized by full coverage, with the scarf ends tucked under.
Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly wear vintage head scarfs in a hidden tie style
We have another Old Hollywood Glamour legend wearing a vintage head scarf style.
Grace Kelly opts for a snowy white vintage head scarf that matches her white sweater, which contrasts with her black pants and red espadrilles.
The overall look is understated elegance and class.
Audrey Hepburn also pulls off this style, in her thriller Charade opposite Cary Grant.
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Grace Kelly Head Scarf - 7 Insanely Chic Outfit Accessory Ideas
#4: Vintage Head Scarf Style: Top tie
Ready to add some unforgettable pizzaz to your modern day working gal look?
This vintage head scarf aesthetic is characterized by full coverage, with the scarf ends tied on top of the head for a style that’s both practical and smart.
Rita Hayworth (right) wears a vintage head scarf in a top tie style
Secrets to mastering this stunning 1940s head scarf look?
Don’t be shy with prints and and go all out with ‘matchy matchy’.
Notice how Rita Hayworth’s retro head scarf matches her bikini swimsuit pieces (top and bottom!), as well as her swimsuit cover-up.
You could almost imagine this floral pattern on your Grandma’s sofa, right?
Vintage style tip!
Use the vintage head wrap styles to up-level your swimwear arsenal.
You don’t necessarily need to choose the print your Grandma would like, but opt for one that showcases your personal style.
Vintage Head Scarf Style: Top tie working girl style
We can’t talk about this retro headscarf look without talking about Rosie the Riveter.
With thousands of men enlisted into World War II, there was a huge shortage of workers in the aviation and munitions industries.
They needed more Rosies in the workforce. Hence the Rosie the Riveter campaign, which was one of the most successful to ever launch.
It was tied to patriotism and winning World War II. Check out the tagline from the U.S. Employment Service recruitment poster: “The more women at work, the sooner we Win!”
The impact on vintage style from that interesting twist of history? An iconic 1940s head scarf style look that both memorialized that era, but also lives on.
#5: Vintage Head Scarf Style: Full coverage
This vintage head scarf aesthetic is characterized by full coverage, with the scarf ends tied in a low dramatic knot at the back of the head for an understated feminine look.
Greta Garbo (left) wear a vintage head scarf full coverage style
Greta Garbo was one the foremost Old Hollywood Glamour ladies.
She was a legendary Swedish-American actresses who can teach us a thing or two about how to turns heads with classy vintage style.
What is up with her sexy (but kinda sad) pout? Well, Greta Garbo often acted the role of tragic characters, and was known for her gloomy and somber roles.
What characterizes this adorable vintage headscarf look?
Notice how the turban, headband style wrap accentuates her exquisite bone structure.
We also love the bright retro polkadot print of her vintage head scarf.
Don’t you just love how the 1940s fashion embraced polkadots?
Since her classic outfit is in a neutral color palette, her head scarf provides a pop of color and pizzaz to the overall look.
#6: Vintage Head Scarf Style: Headband style
This vintage head scarf aesthetic is characterized by long slim scarf knotted at the base of the head. The result? An unforgettably chic fashion statement.
Jane Russell sizzles in this vintage head scarf outfit!
One of the leading sex symbols in the 1940s and 1950s and starring in 20 films, not only was she sexy and talented, but had unique wit and also delivered sizzling one-liners, like the following.
“Don’t get confused by my personality and my attitude. My personality is who I am, my attitude depends on who you are.” - Jane Russell
This chic vintage accessary compliments her hair style and takes her adorable retro swimsuit outfit to the next level.
For this look, notice how she paired a vivid patterned swimsuit with a light head scarf.
This head scarf color contrasts with her dark waves that makes it even more eye-catching!
Jane Russel and Elizabeth Taylor wear vintage head scarfs in the headband style
The gorgeous fashion icon and actress Elizabeth Taylor reintroduces the romantic vintage head scarf look that was also popular in the 1920s as it complimented the popular pageboy bob hairstyle.
The stunning Elizabeth Taylor was just as famous for collecting husbands (eight weddings and seven husbands!), as she was for her status as one of the leading ladies of the Old Hollywood Glamour era.
She wore this style when filming the 1959 movie Suddenly Last Summer.
And, of course, we just have to know which husband she was married to at that time. According to the tabloids she married Eddie Fisher in May 1959, and famously declared "Our honeymoon will last 40 years."
This classy vintage accessory looks equally fabulous on a simple up-do, as it keeps hair away from the face.
#7: Vintage Head Scarf Style: Retro “School Girl” style
This vintage head scarf aesthetic is characterized by a long slim scarf knotted at the top of the head into a charming bow.
Audrey Hepburn (right) wears a vintage headband in the school girl style
We love how feminine and carefree this look is and what a complimentary style, regardless of age.
So whether you’re sixteen or sixty five, this feminine vintage head scarf look is oooooh so flattering.
Not only is the style on point with this look, but there’s something super idyllic about it... it just oozes nostalgia.
This feminine and sleek retro head scarf look adds playful personality to your vintage outfit.
Leave it to Audrey Hepburn to illustrate once again just how versatile the vintage headscarf look is!
This 1940s head scarf look is so fun and practical, and instantly gives her outfit a pop of color!
For her outfit, Audrey Hepburn pairs her favorite classic black sweater and cigarette pants, with a contrasting white vintage head scarf.
This is casually tied over her simple ponytail.
We love how casual, yet chic, this retro look is!
This post was all about the vintage head scarf styles and the vintage head scarf aesthetic
Time to wrap it up! 😉
Now that you’re an expert on vintage head scarf styles, which look is your favorite?
Do you prefer the more dramatic turban style coverage looks or the simple head band styles?
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Last updated: Sep 2023
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