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.
Two vintage outfits for the Tall Slim Girl – Nov 1932 – If you are a small girl with a retrousse nose, well and good. You’ll find plenty of stars are of that description and their clothes ideas will help you out. But if you have a tall graceful figure, oval shape and well defined …
Romantic winter modes for 1931 – We asked actresses Marian Marsh, Loretta Young, Ruth Hall and Estelle Taylor and Karen Morley to model what the fashionable young woman will be wearing to college this winter. The girls went to Manhattan to select their favourite outfits to stroll Park Avenue in. Loretta Young models a fur coat …
Clara Bow and Joan Crawford model their choices – Nov 1930 – Russia is the inspiration of the smart suit worn by Joan Crawford. Made in the Russian manner of Forstmann’s Zenita, a novelty fabric, the suit reveals cartridge trimmings on the sleeves and at the front of the belted-in knee-length coat. All this lends a …
A day in the Life of a Fifth Avenue window dummy 1937 – Life Magazine has a look at a day in the life of a Fifth Avenue store mannequin. Above, Grace ( as they have named her) peers out of the Saks Fifth Avenue window at the passers by. Behind her we see the …
October fashions from Hollywood in 1938 – Edith Head designed this bottle-green and beige herringbone tweed suit for Joan Bennett to wear. The green note of the tweed is repeated in the velvet trim of the long topcoat, the cashmere sweater and suede accessories. the stitched velvet acorn cap is also of tweed. To the …
Hollywood’s Loretta Young poses – 1.To the left above, Miss Loretta Young wears a stunning new fall coat modelled of brown duvet with seams forming the new princess line. Kolinsky cuffs and collar add a touch of luxurious warmth. To the right, a smart street frock worn by Miss Young boasts cap sleeves embroidered in …
All the beauty tricks of the stars – 1930s Beauty report by Caroline Van Wyck 1. Fall Coiffures. Joan Bennett presents the Riviera bob, her first distinct departure in coiffures in three years. Heretofore her bob has been long. This new coiffure emphasises three important trends. The bob is short. The ends are curled. The …
Top Costume Designers fall style 1938- by Gwenn Walters 1. Contrast costumes are headline news in Hollywood’s fall fashion picture. Barbara Stanwyck wears one of olive green and brown created by Royer. The jacket covers a short-sleeved, collarless frock that closes to the waist with large self covered buttons. A gold tassel chain loops through …
Autumnal dresses and shoes for cold days ahead – Daytime Dresses: To the left above, a darling outfit, the wool plaid and the cut of the sleeve make this Star maid dress something fresh and exciting to wear. the sleeve, a modified dolman, has deep armholes forming part of the shoulder and waist. The trimming …
The Woman Maketh the clothes in 1932- “Be nonchalant.” That’s the fashion creed of fast rising Hollywood starlet Karen Morley. In other words, Karen chooses her clothes with one effect in mind, a ‘careful’ carelessness. If you think that’s easy to do, you’re all wrong. It’s just as difficult, it requires exactly as much thought and …