1930’s in fashion for women. What did women really wear in the 1930’s? The trends, dresses, hairstyles and makeup and where to buy them.
The influence of Hollywood and Art Deco modernism on women’s fashion was never greater than in the 1930’s.
Costume designers names were almost as well known as the Paris couture designers. The crash of 1929 and the Depression which followed, only slowed the inevitable rise in consumerism and ready to wear clothing. Makeup and stockings sales steadily rose through the decade. Women’s day-wear became more tailored with single buttoned jackets and matching gored skirts.
Hems dropped to just above the ankle in 1930 and rose to below the knee by the mid 1930’s.
The gored skirt ( made from several triangular gores) created a more feminine flare at the hem.
Curves returned and newer synthetic foundation girdles were worn by women of all ages. Brassieres now came in cup sizes and 1930 saw the seamless bra go on sale.
In hairstyles, the Marcel wave replaced the 1920’s crop and bobbed hair look. Good for the hairdressers but hard on the pocket for a young woman of limited means. Makeup was now commonly worn in day time and the sale of swivel lipsticks and mascara pots soured.
These are just some highlights of the fashion trends in the 1930’s. Jump in to our time machine archive of posts on 1930’s fashion history.
Shiseido – The History of the Japanese Beauty Culture Memoirs of a Geisha Girl reminded the world of just how steeped in the beauty culture Japanese women have been since ancient times. Lip rouging such as the Komachi Beni style had been around for centuries. Like Max Factor in the USA, in Japan, there is …
The street fashion and hairstyles of everyday women in the 1930’s from a unique film by Ivan Besse shot in the small South Dakota town of Britton in 1938 The Wall Street Crash had a huge impact on women’s fashion in the 1930’s. Lots of women took up sewing and the Women’s Institute became famous …
Vintage Style wins at Galway Races ! Vintage Fashion is definitely in this year at Irelands moststylish gathering of fashionistas – The Galway Races. While the bookies saw red, the ladies wore every colour imaginableand the standout winner this year is a stunning 1930’s style ensemble worn by Annmarie O Leary.She was awarded the most …
1930’s Hairstyles – Vintage Hair Salon 1934 1930’s Women’s Hairstyles in the early part of the decade were all about waves ! The scary perming machines though were all the rage, and no self respecting beauty salon could be seen without one. Here in this charming vintage hair salon film, you see a good example …
Daily Beauty Rituals 1937 1930’s Makeup and Skincare Guide with Constance Bennett. Produced for the Educational Films Corporation of America. Ms Bennett starts her day with a good bath, prepared of course by her attending house maid !! “Before starting off, one should start off with a clean slate as it were!” “Stimulation is the …
Women’s Vintage Swimwear Secrets Before you go shopping for some cool Vintage swimwear or Retro Swimwear, why not sit back and learn a bit about what you’re wearing! Photo courtesy My Vintage Vogue Perhaps more than any other garment, the swimsuit has changed beyond all recognition in the last century. One of the most appealing …
The 1930’s Songstress Annette Hanshaw featured here in this rare film. She was a hugely popular jazz singer in the late 1920’s and early 1930’sShe was one of those women who was beautiful by just being herself. Hanshaw epitomised the era of1930’s dress style and glamour.There has been recent revived interest in Annette thanks to …
A Gallery of Fashion Detail from 1937 A typical couture detail of 1930’s vintage fashion 1. Be fashion wise – sequin flower, high neckline, slim sleeve, sweater-type bodice 2. Tea dancing pump: street- length skirt : Chanel bracelet. 3.Your figure will be outlined like a dressmaker’s dummy in this tubelike tunic. 4. You’ll see many …
1930’s Fashion – Broadway Girls – Dress Beauty and Hairstyles Joan Blondell starred in this gem from 1932, the film depicts beautifully the popular daywear,evening dress, and vintage hairstyles of the women in that golden era.You also get a visit to a vintage beauty salon. Courtesy of the internet archive.
Vintage 1930’s fashion – The Beauty Salon A typical beauty Salon in the early 1930’s. In this case 1932. The Scary Hair perming machine is wonderful.This is an edit from the longer video 1930’s Fashion – Broadway Girls – Dress beauty and hairstyles. The film features Joan Blondell.