Old Hollywood Glamour

Old Hollywood glamour. What did Hollywood stars wear? Follow the style trends set by leading actresses in the 1920’s, 30’s, 40’s and 1950’s

Old Hollywood Glamour

By 1930 the dominance of Paris designers was challenged by the Hollywood costume designer. In our archives, we look at the trend setting dresses and hairstyles worn by the most glamorous women in the world.

Actresses like Greta Garbo, Clara Bow, and Joan Crawford all wore gowns which had women drooling in the cinema aisles. Costume designers such as Travis Banton and Gilbert Adrian helped create what would be called the American look.

On the silver screen, and later in Technicolor, women appeared flawless. Their dresses were divine, their hairstyles and makeup immaculate thanks to beauty gurus like Max Factor. It was a fairy tale land of beauty, and the world was transfixed.

To get you started here are just two examples of Hollywood’s impact on style. In 1927 Clara Bow helped propel the little black dress or LBD into every fashionable wardrobe across the world. It’s debut appearance in the smash hit “It (1927) was nothing short of revolutionary.

Later Vivien Leigh’s civil war hair snood worn in Gone with the Wind became a staple hair accessory during the early years of the WW2 in the 1940’s.

Dive in to our old Hollywood glamour posts and see for yourself what women were reading and what fashion trends they followed.