Unveiling the Timeless Elegance of the 1930s Fashion Era

Ever wondered what did women wear in the 1930s? In this fashion history post, you will learn about the enduring elegance and grace of this iconic era’s styles. Still, today, the 1930s fascinating allure of Hollywood stars like Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong, or Claudette Colbert, and the sophisticated glamour of socialites like Wallis Simpson or Mona Von Bismarck influence the fashion industry.

During the 1930s, fashion designers took inspiration from the Art Deco movement with its clean lines and geometric patterns. Bias-cut dresses and figure-hugging gowns created a sense of fluid, feminine silhouettes, and a timeless vibe. In evening wear, fashion-conscious women donned luxurious fabrics such as satin, silk, and velvet. Also, everyday wear emphasized elongated lines and sleek designs with hats everywhere. This era was the beginning of some evergreen fashion trends like tailored suits, and breezy summer styles. For both the High Society and working class dressing to impress was essential.

Whether you love this era’s sense of effortless beauty, are a fashion enthusiast, or are simply curious about the history of sartorial trends, this post gives you a glimpse of a bygone era of glamour and sophistication. Read to learn about the timeless elegance of the era’s women’s wear, and get inspired.

Who Were the Iconic Fashion Designers of the 1930s?

Here, Madeleine Vionnet deserves a mentioning because her bias-cut dresses became a symbol of sophistication, and were popular throughout the decade. The style saw a revival as the slip-dress trend in the 1990s and just recently.

One of the designers still well-known to day and already established at that time was Coco Chanel. She designed the costumes for Gloria Swanson in Tonight or Never. Chanel-inspired tweed suits and LBDs remained wardrobe staples of 1930s fashion.

Travis Benton designed for Paramount. His feather collar and cap costume for Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai was a great sensation in Paris. Thus, courtier Lucien Lelong said to him

So its you we really have to thank for feathers. – Lucien Lelong

When at MGM, Gilbert Adrian created the glamourous image of Hollywood diva Jean Harlow. He also designed costumes for Loretta Young, Joan Crawford, Jeanette MacDonald, just to mention a few.

What Were the Key Silhouettes and Styles of the 1930s Women’s Wear?

The goal was to create a hour-glass shape. The famous trends of the 1930s women’s fashion are the sleek, simple cuts, and tailored suits. In contrast to the 1920s fashion androgen silhouettes, the 1930s saw feminine, figure-flattering cuts with an emphasis on the natural waist  Slim-fitting bodices flowed into flared skirts. Bias-cut dresses gracefully hugged the body, accentuating curves.

In everyday wear, practical, versatile shirtwaist dresses with button-down bodices and full skirts were fashionable for casual outings. Women wore house dresses for doing cores, and flouncy abstract or geometric print day dresses, blouses, or jumpers. Pleats, ruffles, and draping added texture and created movement.

Lady-like skirts hugged the thighs and hip and flared toward the hem. Hemlines reached to the bottom of the calf. By 1933, suits and dresses donned shoulder padding, full collars, large puffy or butterfly sleeves.

Evening wear-often with a mermaid hem-was luxurious and showed off the figure. Necklines were often low-cut, highlighting the décolletage. Backless designs showcased the back as the new erotic zone. For the first time, cuts separated the breasts.

Which Fabrics and Materials Were Popular in 1930s Women’s Fashion?

In the 1930s, fashion became the second-largest export industry. Consequently, textile design received lots of attention. Cotton or linen in a variety of prints and solid colors was used for shirtwaist dresses. Prints had vibrant colors and a sense of positivity and fantasy.

Tailored wool suits and wool coats provided warmth in the cold season. Summer clothes consisted of lightweight fabrics like crepe or chiffon for breathability. Furthermore, the 1930s saw the first synthetic fibers. Rayon with its silk-like sheen and drapeability became an affordable alternative to silk in dresses and blouses.

Fabrics for formal wear were brocades, velvet and satins made from luxurious materials such as silk. These gowns often featured intricate beading and embroidery.

Accessories and Hairstyles

When outside, all people wore hats. Women’s hats came in various style. Wide brim hats, turbans, pill boxes, cloches with brim were decorated with feathers, ribbons, and/or flowers or had nets. Kid leather or silk gloves finished both day and evening outfits.

Evening wear called for a fur or sequin stole, glamourous jewelry, and beaded purses.

Jewelry donned geometric and Art Deco designs. Colorful enamel and gemstones adorned bracelets, brooches and necklaces.

The hair styles were medium (shoulder-length) long, often with curls or up-dos.

How Did the Great Depression Affect Fashion?

The 1930s were heavily influenced by the changing societal norms and economy. During the Great War many women had joined the work force, and continued working unless they got married. Due to the death of many soldiers, many women were single. Furthermore, the ongoing industrialization required worker. However, many jobs in fabrics required practical clothing that allowed movement and would not get caught in machinery.

The trend for simplicity in clothing continued with the onset of the Great Depression. The demand for practical clothing led to menswear-inspired wide-legged pants and matching blazers as a wardrobe staple.

Electricity, technical household aids including sewing machines became household standards. Due to the simple cuts, many women could sew their own wardrobe. The limited resources during the depression made thrifting, re-styling, and recycling of fabrics including flour and feed sacks a necessity for farm women.

Nevertheless, self-sewn and even affordable garments from mail catalogs still looked elegant due to the influence of Art Deco and Hollywood. Hollywood had strong impact on the era’s fashion because 65% of the Americans visited a movie theater each week.

My Self-Made 1930 Era Dresses

The photo collage below shows two dresses that I made myself using 1930s patterns.

References

Esquevin, C., 2023. Designing Hollywood, University Press Kentucky.

DeWitt, Nancy, 2014. Alaska’s Foutainhead Collection. Vintage treads and threads, Toppan Leefung Pte. Ltd., China.

DeWitt, Nancy, 2016. Motor Age Fashion, Toppan Leefung Pte. Ltd., China.

TASCHEN (Editor), 2015. Fashion History from the 18th to the 20th Century, Bibliotheca Universalis.

Young, C., 2016. Style Tri bes – The Fashion of Subcultures, Frances Lincoln Ltd.

Young, Caroline, 2019. Living with Coco Chanel: The homes and landscapes that shaped the designer, Frances Lincoln Ltd.

Photos of me: G. Kramm

Photos of jumpers and evening robe: N. Mölders

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