1930s Fashion

Hello All,

It is two days before Christmas.  Of course, at this time, all I can think of is fashion, mostly fashion design.  With that being said, it is time for the Decades of Fashion.  For those of you who read my blog, you know that my favorite fashion decades are the 20s, 50s, and 60s.  Now, I will discuss the 1930s.  Although the 30s is not really my favorite decade, the fashion styles during this era were timeless..

The 1930s.  The decade of Hollywood Glamour.  Actresses like Marlene Dietrich and Mae West dominated the movie screens and fashion styles.  Fashions of the 1930s were thought of as glamorous and sensuous. This was the era of the big bands, dancing, and night life.  Women quickly grew tired of the slim figure of the 1920s, so they started wearing dresses that gave them a curvaceous figure, also known as the bias cut dresses.

The bias cut dress was introduced to the fashion world by French fashion designer, Madeleine Vionnet.  

Madeleine Vionnet hard at work

Vionnet's main goal was to accentuate a woman's natural curves, plus make it easier for a woman to get dressed without having to use pins, tucks, and buttons to hold the dress in place. Women's casual looks were very easy to style with a lot of curve appeal, and were very flowing.  Sleeveless and clap sleeves dresses became very popular during this time.

 

Sleeveless

Cap sleeve and short sleeve

 

Bishop sleeve, dolman sleeve (also known as batwing sleeves), and tailored looks were also very popular.  Each style contained the unique detail of soft, draped lines that showed women's natural curves.

 

Dolman Sleeve

 

Bishop sleeve

 

Tailored suits

 

While fashion was evolving during this time period, it was also the during the time of the Great Depression.  The stock market had crashed in 1929, and almost all of U.S. citizens were looking for work.  During this time, more people were going to the movies, known as "the picture show," to ease their minds from their current situations.  It was during this time that fur became very popular (for the people who could afford it).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hairstyles during this era were worn in waves and soft pin curls.  Most hairstyles were short, shoulder length, or pinned closely to the scalp.  Some women also started dying their hair blonde.

 

 

 

 

 

Popular hats during this time included cloche hats, derby hats, and berets.

 

beret

 

cloche

 

popular hats of the 1930s

 

By the end of the 30s, skirts were slightly fuller and shorter, and shoulders were wider, and also WWII had begun.  Hope you enjoyed this fashion history lesson.

 

Until Next Time!