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.
Learn to be glamorous 1930s style – on a budget! – Claudette Colbert, star of “It happened one night” – tells Caroline Van Wycks, Glamourdaze’s time traveling fashion correspondent – how she learned to be glamorous when she was still a struggling actress with limited income. “What’s the use of talking about clothes when you …
In a delightfully frank interview – Fay Wray shares her beauty secrets with Caroline Van Wycks I shall always think of Fay Wray as very much of an individual. Just why, I’m not sure. Her dark auburn hair, her deep blue eyes and warm skin make her exceptionally lovely to look at. While Hollywood is …
Autumn and Winter fashion review – Hollywood 1934 – Carolyn Van Wycks reports for Glamourdaze from October 1934. Looking at the latest 1930s Autumn styles from Hollywood’s finest designer,Walter Plunkett ( Singin in the Rain / Gone with the Wind) and Rene Hubert No Fall wardrobe is complete without one black afternoon dress. Walter Plunkett …
It’s 1932 – Get the latest 1930’s style pointers from Hollywood screen siren Carole Lombard – Here they are. 1. A two-piece jacket dress that looks for all the world like a suit. But take my word for it, it’s a dress – 2. Not only a short jacket but short sleeves. getting technical – …
Originally published in July 1932 issue of Photoplay – The Hollywood 1930’s Style Report – for women, by the mysteriously named fashion columnist ‘Seymour’. THESE THREE SMART STARS SPONSOR – GAY STRIPES | LIGHT WOOLS | ALL WHITE . Youth is in every wool line of this jaunty beige wool suit which you’ll see Anita …
Leading authority on 20th Century fashion and design – Charlotte Fiell talks to Glamourdaze. Last year while browsing in the famous Blackwell’s bookstore in Oxford I was riveted to one spot and eventually one comfortable sofa (Blackwells is my kinda book shop) leafing through two thickly illustrated and sumptuous books by Charlotte Fiell and Emmanuelle …
Here’s a short glimpse in to the glamorous past. 1930’s women browsing a department store.
Glamorous 1930’s bathing beauties at the Hotel Delmonte in Monterey California. A favorite playground for Hollywood’s movie stars back then. This clip dates from 1935.
1930s Fashion -The French Beret replaces the Cloche. By 1933 the iconic Cloche hat which was so dominant in the 1920s was replaced by exciting new French styles. The beret – not exactly anything new to the French – was certainly a novelty for many women in the USA and others European countries. Not all …
Helen Temple’s Beauty Column 1938 Answers to women’s beauty questions from the late 1930s. First published in Woman – May21st 1938. Freckling: I have a large freckle on the tip of my nose, which isn’t at all beautifying – is there any way of making it disappear? Also – is walking a good way to …