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.
Hollywood sets the 1930s mode – Lilyan Tashman‘s Style Lovely Lilyan Tashman starts off our little fashion show with these two stunning outfits. Left: Miss Tashman in a spectator sport costume of dust blue and white. Over a frock of dust blue roma crepe, bound with silk braid at the hem, Miss Tashman wears a …
Chic Coiffure Accents in flowers, jewels and feathers – 1930s Hairstyles parade with Jessie Tait Nearly every head is now adorned these May evenings with ribbons, feathers, jewels, flowers and turbans, all decorating well-groomed heads. Colors usually match the evening gown, or the flowers or shoes worn. Jewelled clips, brooches, combs, and other hair-ornaments accompany …
A preview of Hollywood Spring styles – 1930s fashion report by Rosalind Shaffer With the overwhelming changes in fashions that have taken place during the past year, women have been jarred out of all the pleasant paths of fashion in which they have been accustomed to walk. On all sides is the wail, ” The …
Spring Afternoon Frocks and Evening Gowns – 1930s Fashion Report. Graceful Norma Shearer wears a silk crèpe afternoon frock in the new Spring shade, 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 …
Hollywood’s latest styles in suits and coats – Claudette Colbert, caught in color on her way to the races at Santa Anita, in a sports outfit designed by Irene of Bullocks Wilshire. Her coat is a vibrant green with red-brown flared skirt and lumber jacket blouse of dull raspberry. A pheasant’s feather trims her smart …
Leila Hyams shows us her daily outfits – Feb 1932 The Afternoon Suit A pretty blonde – out for the afternoon in the correct clothes! “There’s nothing nicer than a dressy 1930s suit,” says Leila Hyams. Hers has wide fox fur elbow-cuffs, and she wears with it a drooping- brimmed hat. Very fetching. Note the accessories …
Sarcastic and funny article from 1930 – Out for a walk the other day in Central Park I encountered a pretty young woman, throwing bread crumbs to a flock of pigeons. She made a delightful picture. her fresh face was its own color instead of being violently rouged; her red lips free from artificial aids …
Ruth Hall models latest mid winter fashion and beauty – 1930s Beauty report from Carolyn Van Wyck Already crowned Miss 1932, all the fashion periodicals are falling over themselves to photograph and dress the lovely Ruth Hall. Here she models two smart mid winter ensembles for Glamourdaze. Firstly to the left, for the cold January …
Carousel Film Tribute to Paris – Anaïs Nin -“Paris intimate like a room.” Stills and Stories and a video tribute to Paris. Carousel – 140 Years of Parisian Cafe Culture – 1877 to 2015 Think of France, and you think of Parisian cafe’s, the Belle Epoch era, the paintings of Edouard Manet, Edgar Degas and Renoir, …
Corseted suits and stylish felt hats from Britain – Hollywood Style Report by Gwen Walters. Left:Jeanette MacDonald leads off on our feature posing in this stunning frost pink evening ensemble from her personal wardrobe. The slipper satin jacket conceals the softly draped bodice of the flowing chiffon gown. Miss MacDonalds cape is of silver fox. …