1940s factory work attire suggestions

[newtovintage]

Hello to everyone! It has been quite a long time since I have posted on here, because I have been very busy. I need some help with a outfit I am making for a play at my church. I need to know what would have been worn by a woman who worked in a factory in 1943 on her way home from work. Would she have worn the Rosie the Riveter style outfit? If so, would she have worn it when walking home or would she have changed into a dress before leaving work? I really need some help with this as I only have a short time & limited funds to costume this play. Any thoughts, advice, or photos would be most helpful. Thank you in advance.
Sarah

 

[Lady Day]

Check the 40s wardrobe essentials thread at the top of this forum.
Youll find tons of photo reference.

LD

 

[Lauren]

I can honestly say I have no clue. [huh] I guess it probably depended on the type of work and how close they were to home. I know when I helped out in a factory a bit I'd be head to toe covered in black grease, so I probably wouldn't have wanted to go on a bus like that lol

 

[LizzieMaine]

Some women might wear a simple jacket, blouse and slacks, others might wear a simple button-front dress that they could easily change out of. Most workers would change into their overalls at the factory -- one of the issues companies had to face was finding adequate locker-room space for the new female workforce.

All workers, though, regardless of what they wore, would have their plant photo ID badges pinned to the front of their clothes -- war plants operated under ultra-strict security, and photo ID was a must. The most common style for these was a large round button, like a campaign badge, with the worker's photo laminated in the middle and a rubber stamped employee number underneath. The photos were mug-shot style -- rarely flattering.

 

[newtovintage]

So...from what I understand, she probably would have worn a dress to work & changed back into it before going home? The play is not entirely historically correct, but I need to give the impression somehow that she works in a factory. Perhaps would she have worn a Rosie the Riveter style bandana home, not wanting to fuss with her hair or is there something that might distinguish her as a factory worker? Thank you for your help thus far,
Sarah

 

[LizzieMaine]

Carrying a lunchbox -- a black tin dome-type dinnerpail such as any factory hand might use -- would be another good clue. And of course, the distinctive Rosie headrag over her hair.

 

[Miss 1929]

Snoods were really popular with the ladies of the work force, as you could bundle your hair into it out of way of the machinery. Bandana style is good too, and probably will resonate better with the audience.
If trying to get the point across is more important than authenticity (who would KNOW besides you that they would probably have changed back into a dress?) then the overalls and bandana look a la Rosie the Riveter is going to make sense to the average audience.
It is possible to overthink these things....