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.
Ever wondered why a size 12 is called a size 12? – Kass McGann of Reconstructing History.com Explains – Dress sizing is certainly confusing! I mean, a man’s jacket size 42 fits a man with a chest measurement of 42″. Jeans sized 36/32 fit a waist of 36″ and an inseam of 32″. But what …
1930’s Style Report by Carolyn Wicks – Just look at lovely June Clayworth who offers us some interesting new styles from her Autumn wardrobe. From the left, this checked knit dress has yellow and green predominating. To the right, the leather bows on this black wool dress are very new. A leather hat matches the …
Visionary designer forerunner to Dior – In 1938, a young American female fashion designer named Elizabeth Hawes, an author, a journalist, a political activist and union organiser with the foresight of Chanel and Dior and a razor sharp wit that made her the Dorothy Parker of fashion, published a book called Fashion is Spinach, a long forgotten …
An illustrated ode to the ubiquitous ‘brolly’ “We moved under the umbrella out of the street light, fumbling for certain footing between the tree roots. ‘Will you hold the umbrella?’ She took the imitation leather with the white stitching in her hands. ‘Kiss me.’ She leaned across the steel between us. ‘Do you think we should?’ I …
Clothes for Daytime and Playtime July 1932 1930s Fashion Report for Glamourdaze. Adrienne Dore is 5 feet 4 . Her golden blonde curls and green eyes furnish the basis for a number of interesting color combinations here. She’s slim but by no means thin, likes to wear clothes that make her look taller. She buys …
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 …