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.
1930’s Depression Fashion – Hemlines go down with the dollar ! At the beginning of 1930, women’s hemlines fell all the way down to the ankle,their necklines became lowered, and their torsos were under their shoulders.In the 1930s, skirts were also in mode.Patterns from Vogue and McCalls became extremely popular,encouraging home industry among young women.Upper …
In the 1930s, the stars of Pre Code Hollywood dictated the body shape. The escapism that Hollywood offered drew huge audiences and many women and men were captivated by a new generation of sex idols, such as Marlene Dietrich and Jean Harlow. The bosom was captivatingly emphasised by Hollywood with careful fitting over the bust …
1930’s Fashion Style – Lingerie and Hosiery While the 1920’s might have heralded new styles in outwear, it was the 1930’s that saw a realdevelopment in the marketing of women’s ‘unmentionables’.With the help of slick and sexy marketing,corsetry and hosiery became high fashion.Full figured ladies were all the rage, not like the Victoria Beckham size …
The Depression brought conservatism, and women in the 1930s returned to the curvy silhouette of eras past, with lingerie returning the emphasis to hips and bust [ which depending on your opinion,wasn’t such a bad thing].Pointed rigid bras came next that maintained their shape. Then came “falsies” ,pads worn inside the bra that were designed …
1950’s Hosiery – The Golden Age of Hosiery in my humble opinion ! 1940’s Hosiery 1930’s hosiery 1919 Hosiery Ad – artist – Coles Philips A quote from 1950 issue of Good Housekeeping, found on The Vintage Connection Thirty–five years ago hosiery was strictly utilitarian—underwear, in fact, since no nice lady permitted it to show. …
Photos courtesy of My Vintage Vogue By the mid 1920’s women’s hair had become much shorter with the shingle cut and the cloche, which hugged the head like a helmet with a very small brim, had come into fashion. Now, after World War 1, there was suddenly such a proliferation of styles and materials that …
Yes ..Umbrellas can be feminine [ depending on who is wearing one !!]Found on the excellent My Vintage vogue
Wonderful collection of mostly vogue fashion images from the 1930’s.Visit My Vintage Vogue
With William Powell in the glorious Thin Man series With William Powell in the glorious Thin Man series Myrna loy Myrna Loy ! She was truly unique. These great high resolution images of Myrna Loy come courtesy of Doctor Macro