 |  | DRESS TO IMPRESS IN YOUR
FINEST 1940s COSTUMES |
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| Step into Operation Black Door... | ...a brand-new theatrical event experience filled with characters with secrets to discover.
Limited event run. 10, 11, 12 March 2022.
Immerse yourself in a time when every second matters, every decision is crucial and every action counts.
Will you play your part?
Solve missions inspired by the real people who worked in this secret government headquarters.
With five different stories to choose from, become part of the mysterious Department as you take on challenges to uncover the secrets hidden underground in the labyrinthine corridors of Churchill War Rooms.
As part of the Department, you must not give yourself away. The best way to blend in? Dress the part.
Keep reading for our tips on how to perfect your 1940s style, whichever story you choose... |
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| | |  | | Eric Ravilious, The Teleprinter Room Watercolour, 1941. |
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| WARTIME LONDON: ART OF THE BLITZ | Explore the Second World War’s impact on London life with a unique art exhibition housed in Churchill's secret command centre.
This carefully curated selection of artworks shines a new light on the experiences of ordinary people forced into new patterns of living by Nazi air raids. | |
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| Five stories await. What's your style? |  | | Diplomacy | Big decisions come with big diplomatic consequences. You need an outfit that matches your VIP status.
For the gentlemen, a simple, smart jacket and trousers with a well-fitted, collared shirt should fit the bill. Snappy shoes are a must.
For the ladies a knee length, A-line skirt and jacket combo in patriotic colours should do nicely. For shoes, perhaps a pair of pumps. |
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 | | Operations | Infiltrate the offices of the war rooms typists and switchboard operators. Stylish yet sensible is the order of the day.
Pair a plain or patterned blouse with a light cardigan, add an A-line skirt and your best wedges and you'll blend in like a charm.
For men, a shirt with a waistcoat and trousers should suffice, maybe even a pair of specs to really hide your true identity. |
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|  | | Intelligence | All is not what it seems. You must be prepared to practice your powers of persuasion. A good impression goes a long way.
Picture shadowy secret agents and furtive femme fatales. Employ a flash of bold red lipstick and an outfit both elegant and enigmatic.
Pour homme, perhaps a pinstripe suit paired with a fashionable Fedora hat, perfect for maintaining a manner of mystery. |
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 | | Decisions | Make sure you have a stomach for confrontation. No need to come in uniform, but opt for an outfit that matches your military credentials.
Go for an authoritative ensemble in the colours of the Army, Navy or Air Force. Think epaulettes, double breast pockets and smart trousers.
For women, marry a military-style jacket with a mid-length skirt and match with your best brogues. No-one will question your command. |
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|  | | Misdirection | Unravel the propaganda network. Everything is in question. Remain shady and secretive, but always sharply-dressed.
A dapper disguise is what you need. Wear a classic trench coat, perhaps with the collar turned up for added secrecy and mystique.
A dark-coloured dress or skirt suit, maybe matched with a jaunty hat for added obscurity, should be suitable for your requirements. |
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 | | Need inspiration? | This immersive experience is inspired by real life stories of staff at the war rooms during the Second World War.
For more wartime fashion ideas and a sense of the world you are about to enter, search our collections.
Our online shop is a great stop for clothing and accessories. As IWM is a charity, your purchase will help more stories to be retold. |
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|  | ENTER A WORLD
WHERE HISTORY IS MADE |
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