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.
The girls of Hollywood tip-tilt perky nose shapes, languidly lift the upper lip a trifle, and they win the race too – the race for beauty. The secrets to a beautiful nose – 1930s beauty report by Rosalind Shaffer. The saucy tip-tilted nose was much preferred in the days before Anita Loos let loose her …
Hollywood bathing suits and pyjamas 1930 – The newest in backless and sideless bathing suits demonstrated by Hollywood’s loveliest ladies. Above left Virginia Bruce wears a suit of red and white – the perfect eye catcher for the California sun. Stripes will be worn with plain trunks as also indicated by the new bathing suit …
A peek at Hollywood’s favorite swimwear Some of Hollywood’s brightest actresses model the latest in 1930’s Hollywood bathing suits. Including Bette Davis, Joan Blondell and Loretta Young. First up is Joan Blondell and the up and coming Bette Davis who both appear in this years Three On a Match. Here Joan sports a play-suit, and …
The Famous star poses in the new modes of 1930 – Photographed for Glamourdaze by Russell Ball. Gloria Swanson demonstrates the newest and smartest in 1930 dinner dress fashion. The gown is nude satin, in which both sides of the material are used. A circular cape collar falls over one shoulder to form a fetching train. …
Slenderizing flared lines in the new mode – The graceful evening gown worn by Norma Shearer is of pale powder blue silk and is divine. It is Grecian in line with bodice caught up over one shoulder and finished with a scarf of the material extended to the uneven hemline. The other shoulder is bare.Next, …
Brief History of Sunglasses in Fashion – By the 1930’s, basking in the sun had become such a norm, that the wearing of sunglasses naturally became a real fashion accessory. We explore the history of sunglasses through the 20th century. The classic tortoise shell framed and tinted sunglasses of the 1930’s were worn by many …
The Parisian Riviera in photographs – 1910 to 1940 F.Scott. Fitzgerald mentioned Deauville in “The Great Gatsby” as a place Tom Buchanan and Daisy visited on their honeymoon. It is the birthplace of Chanel’s career in fashion. It’s proximity to Paris made it the go to resort for French high society. In 1913 Coco Chanel …
Be a 1930’s Bride on your big day – 1930s Fashion report – by Cassie Brewer – Makeup Artist If you’re thinking of channeling your inner 1930’s starlet for your big day–Jean Harlow, Bette Davis, Mae West, and Carole Lombard–you’ve come to the right place. The iconic and attainable looks of these women–a mixture of soft features, …
As a committed fan of Downton Abbey, its soap like plot, endearing characters and of course the costumes, Glamourdaze waited with interest for Channel 4’s new tv drama starring Julie Walters and Roshan Seth begins in the dying days of the British Raj in colonial India of 1932. And it was worth the wait. I’m …
Life Magazine peeks behind stylish veils in 1937 – This year, while the women of the Middle East are still rejoicing in the fairly recently acquired freedom of showing their faces, more women of the west than ever before will cover their features with veils. No one knows why, but it is the fashion, and …