Halloween Costumes: Just Around the Corner

Post #49 – Rosie’s Daughters: The “First Woman To” Generation Tells Its Story by Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett

Rosie the Riveter and Halloween

Kendra and I were talking about Halloween the other day and realized that it soon will be time for everyone to start planning their costumes. So Kendra came up with this cute video — only 30 seconds and fun. In the coming months and days before Halloween, Kendra will be creating some more videos. Hope you like them.

But what about all the World War II Rosies? Who did Rosie dress as during the war? We did some research and found out something we should have been able to figure out on our own. You see, Halloween had been growing in popularity in the U.S. beginning early in the 20th century. Then World War II came along and by April 1942, sugar was rationed. Rosie and her friends couldn’t just go to Costco or Sam’s Club or Walmart to purchase big bags of candies to hand out. They made the treats that they gave out. So, with the supply of sugar restricted, Halloween’s popularity dropped. Rosie didn’t have the sugar or the time to cook a lot of cookies or candies. Sure there were still some parties, but it was a more subdued celebration. However, once sugar rationing ended in June of 1947, the popularity of Halloween began to ratchet up again.

I don’t know about you, but we’re seeing the growing number of women who reject the skimpy costumes designed primarily to reveal their bodies and the expensive costumes that will only be worn once. Instead, so many are going as Rosie the Riveter — a fun and inexpensive costume. The red-and-white polka dot bandana can be used all year long. Who wears a fake tiara or wig in the days and months after Halloween?

So we hope you’ll join us and the large number of other women who are going as Rosie this Halloween. By the way, last year we introduced our Rosie the Riveter DIY Portrait kit and it was wildly popular for Halloween. It comes complete with everything you need to be Rosie. Just don the Rosie Gear, pose in front of the Portrait Background Poster, and snap your picture. This is great for classrooms, office parties, gatherings of friends, senior centers, …just about any place.

Here’s Jessica Ross, “Doing the Rosie” in front of her DIY Portrait Background Poster.

Rosie “We Can Do It!” Portrait Background Poster (24″ x 32″)

Authentic Rosie the Riveter Legacy Bandana (27″ x 27″)

Rosie the Riveter Employment Badge Collar Pin

Rosie the Riveter Employment Badge Zipper Pull

Rosie’s Rivets and Polka-Dot Bag (pretty organza bag filled with real metal rivets)

Rosie the Riveter Legacy Cookbook (recipes popular during the war years)

Rosie’s War Ration Book (because Rosie never left home without hers)

Heavy-duty cardboard mailing tube and shipping label (making this a great gift for a mother, daughter, granddaughter or dear friend)

Have a precious little girl in your family? Someone you want to know that she has courage, strength, and empowerment? Then we think you’ll love this photo of Casie “Doing the Rosie” in front of the poster her mother bought for her.