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.
Leila Hyams shows us her daily outfits – Feb 1932 The Afternoon Suit A pretty blonde – out for the afternoon in the correct clothes! “There’s nothing nicer than a dressy 1930s suit,” says Leila Hyams. Hers has wide fox fur elbow-cuffs, and she wears with it a drooping- brimmed hat. Very fetching. Note the accessories …
Sarcastic and funny article from 1930 – Out for a walk the other day in Central Park I encountered a pretty young woman, throwing bread crumbs to a flock of pigeons. She made a delightful picture. her fresh face was its own color instead of being violently rouged; her red lips free from artificial aids …
Ruth Hall models latest mid winter fashion and beauty – 1930s Beauty report from Carolyn Van Wyck Already crowned Miss 1932, all the fashion periodicals are falling over themselves to photograph and dress the lovely Ruth Hall. Here she models two smart mid winter ensembles for Glamourdaze. Firstly to the left, for the cold January …
Carousel Film Tribute to Paris – Anaïs Nin -“Paris intimate like a room.” Stills and Stories and a video tribute to Paris. Carousel – 140 Years of Parisian Cafe Culture – 1877 to 2015 Think of France, and you think of Parisian cafe’s, the Belle Epoch era, the paintings of Edouard Manet, Edgar Degas and Renoir, …
Corseted suits and stylish felt hats from Britain – Hollywood Style Report by Gwen Walters. Left:Jeanette MacDonald leads off on our feature posing in this stunning frost pink evening ensemble from her personal wardrobe. The slipper satin jacket conceals the softly draped bodice of the flowing chiffon gown. Miss MacDonalds cape is of silver fox. …
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 …