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.
Four Hats for a Spring wardrobe 1935 – Sylvia Sidney prefers brimmed hats.(Left)”Pied Piper,” in black pebble crepe straw, topped with yellow fan feather, tips far forward over one eye for that demure look in the Spring sunshine. (Right), “Gingham Girl,” for afternoon and restaurant dining, in cloudy blue. New squared crown and coquettish brim …
1936 April styles feature – Joan Crawford shows you a hat in blue suede, in a delicate light shade, Joan’s favorite. The band is navy blue. The hat is from John Fredericks, at which shop she bought more than thirty items. A tailored suit designed by Irene for Joan Crawford, is of black and white …
New lines for the new decade – Norma is wearing a silk crepe afternoon frock of the new Spring shade ( left ),fuchsia. The lines follow the curves of the figure flaring in to a slightly uneven hemline. Puffs above the wrists give interest to the sleeves, while the hat, also of fuchsia shade, reveals …
Luscious costumes by Gilbert Adrian – “Bonjour Madam, Mademoiselle !It gives me great pleasure to take you on this adventurous little voyage into 1930s fashion land. But today ladies, as an innovation, you will see our models go through the rhythmic movement of everyday life, as it responds to the ever changing flow of the …
The allure of pink over the fashion eras – Up to that fateful day in Dallas, November 1963, Jackie Kennedy had worn her soon to be iconic pink Chanel suit six times. Captured in endless blood stained photographs and moving images as the tragic day unfolded, the suit is now being held in the National …
Ever wondered why a size 12 is called a size 12? – Kass McGann of Reconstructing History.com Explains – Dress sizing is certainly confusing! I mean, a man’s jacket size 42 fits a man with a chest measurement of 42″. Jeans sized 36/32 fit a waist of 36″ and an inseam of 32″. But what …
1930’s Style Report by Carolyn Wicks – Just look at lovely June Clayworth who offers us some interesting new styles from her Autumn wardrobe. From the left, this checked knit dress has yellow and green predominating. To the right, the leather bows on this black wool dress are very new. A leather hat matches the …
Visionary designer forerunner to Dior – In 1938, a young American female fashion designer named Elizabeth Hawes, an author, a journalist, a political activist and union organiser with the foresight of Chanel and Dior and a razor sharp wit that made her the Dorothy Parker of fashion, published a book called Fashion is Spinach, a long forgotten …
An illustrated ode to the ubiquitous ‘brolly’ “We moved under the umbrella out of the street light, fumbling for certain footing between the tree roots. ‘Will you hold the umbrella?’ She took the imitation leather with the white stitching in her hands. ‘Kiss me.’ She leaned across the steel between us. ‘Do you think we should?’ I …
Clothes for Daytime and Playtime July 1932 1930s Fashion Report for Glamourdaze. Adrienne Dore is 5 feet 4 . Her golden blonde curls and green eyes furnish the basis for a number of interesting color combinations here. She’s slim but by no means thin, likes to wear clothes that make her look taller. She buys …