1930s Fashion Timeline 1930 to 1939

1930s Fashion & Style Guide - How to dress 30s style

1930s fashion & vintage style

'Chic, elegant, beautifully and cleverly cut, very wearable and of form, completely feminine.'

1930 Fashion Overview

1930s clothing brings to heed bias cut evening gowns in liquid satins and silks, tweed suits, flounces and frills and topped off by a cute beret or tilt hat. 30s Fashion certainly seemed fussier than the 1920s with its relentless ornaments of bows, trims and frills.

The 30s saw the birth and ascent of set up to wear clothing and the production of cheaper, man-fabricated fabrics. Fashion was at present bachelor to most non merely the privileged few and it was beautifully designed, cut and made.

The 30s was and is yet seen by many as the 'Decade of design' and saw many technological advances and changes in attitude towards design as a profession. This conspicuously had an influence on mode during this fourth dimension - as clothes for all classes became became an outward expression

A bit of History

It seems unfair that the 1930s is almost a forgotten decade - sandwiched between two very iconic and life changing eras that take up nigh of the attending. The 1920s saw a desperate alter in women'due south lives after WW1 and was reflected through a period of excess and liberation. The 1940s was the opposite of this, where a period of austerity gripped the nation and style was extremely restricted. In betwixt the ii, the 30s began with the Wall Street crash resulting in the groovy low and concluded with WW2, and is hence seen ofttimes in a more negative light.

Socio-economic changes can exist tracked through changes in manner and manner. In the 1920s, Women had more freedom than their mothers due to economical and social change and this was reflected in their simpler and more comfortable clothing. No curves, higher hemlines, a flat silhouette and an emphasis on youth. The 1930s, represented something quite different. A more sophisticated, grown upwardly and womanly silhouette influenced by the ascent of female person designers Madame Vionnet, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli.

The 1930s Silhouette & The Return of the Waist

By the end of the 1920s, the waist had returned to its natural position and would stay there for the duration of the decade and hemlines stayed quite depression with 24-hour interval wearable reaching low to mid-calf. The emphasis on the natural waist was further highlighted by seams merely beneath the bosom and strong moulded shoulders in the form of puffed, butterfly or banjo sleeves. Detailed necklines with ruffles, cowl, collars, ties such as the pussy bow and corsages further emphasised the body.

The Bias Cutting

Perchance 1930s way is probably all-time known for its invention of the bias cut. This involved cutting the fabric at a 45 degree angle instead of forth the straight grain and was introduced past Vionnet. This method allowed the fabric to hug the trunk naturally by giving horizontal stretch and thus emphasises a woman's natural shape. The result was draped, sinuous and fluid evening dresses that created the flirtatious and sensuous look which epitomises for many, the iconic 1930s silhouette.

Combine the bias cut with the trend for backless and we are onto something quite daring and risqué, even by today'southward standards. For the back was the new erogenous zone and was emphasised by plunging backlines or slashed backs and adorned with jewellery.

But the bias cut extended into mean solar day dresses also and brought exquisitely detailed and intricate pattern cutting techniques. This then developed into irregular hems, tiers, layering and panels ofttimes in waves of printed chiffon. We see these in the surviving examples of 30s chiffon tea dresses that look surprisingly gimmicky.

1930s prints:-
Art deco styles were still popular during this decade and clothes fabric of this era reflects this. Cloth prints are an iconic fashion characteristic of this fourth dimension and came in cubism influenced geometric pattern, dots, lettering and even movie prints of popular objects or animals. Colours in print were contrasting only earthy tones in daywear were popular. Eveningwear was ofttimes white, champagne or black.

Some of the Fundamental Clothing Looks for the 1930s:-

Working Girl:-
For the first time, women from all socio backgrounds were able to exist fashionable. Cheaper man-fabricated fabrics were available (similar Rayon) and new inventions such as the zip were making garments quicker and cheaper to make. More than women were working as manufacture revived and this saw the rising of the business girl who could afford to dress well. Daywear needed to be functional but it didn't lose its elegance or femininity. The womanly shape was equally emphasised in piece of work or day article of clothing with cinched waistlines, skirts fitted to the hip and fullness added to the hem via pleats or flared gores. Fussy blouses in silk, rayon chiffons with ornamental ties and frills were hugely fashionable and are rather OTT to the modern eye but nevertheless a beautiful feminine expect.

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Sports Causal:-
During the 1930s, sports and outdoor actvities became fashionable. Beingness fit and healthy was encouraged and this extended into ideas on habiliment. This catamenia saw the rise of the lounge pant and wide leg trouser heralding a chic and coincidental look. Further influences came from sailor and military styles.

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Hollywood Glam:-
In need of a boost and some escapism during the great depression, ladies flocked to the cinemas to see what their favourite stars were wearing. The romance and glamour of the cinema was readily exploited by all. Yous volition meet many actress endorsements or 'autographing' home dress making patterns and in set up to wear catalogues during this time. The simulated of stars is fundamental to understanding the fashions of the 1930s. Hollywood fashions were anything but understated and because people wanted escapism, they lapped it upwardly.

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Get the 1930s Look – our top iii tips to get you started

Tip one – the foundation
Every bit with all styles, getting the right foundation garments (underwear) is essential. Modern underwear doesnt sit on the natural waist and modern bras mould the bust too much into a rounded shape and push up a picayune too much. Yes, you will be able to get abroad with it, just non hipster knickers - since much of 30s fashion is fitted on the hip area - you tin end upward with far also many rolling lines that desirable. Our recommendation is a good pair of waisted knickers and a slip to smooth your line (often helps with some of the sheer chiffon blouses too)

Tip 2 - accessories
gloves, silk scarves, a imitation fur (or a existent vintage ane) are the making of any 30s outfit. Fashion was fussy, with plenty of frills, buttons, gathers and bows. And so accessorise a-plenty.

Tip 3 - hair and hats
30s hair was mostly bobbed - although the middy manner (A U shape at the back) started to some into fashion in the late 30s. Styles were curly and the marcelle wave was very pop. For those who have longer hair or lack the time to get the curl - get a expert hat or even a elementary beret will exercise the job.

1930s Manner Shopping List

Whether you are wanting a scene from a hollywood movie or something more Poirot, getting the 30s look is more difficult to recreate. But a few key garments volition become a long way...(plenty to get yous started):-

Silk or chiffon blouse
Calf length skirt with inverted forepart pleat or slightly flared at bottom
Bias cut tea dress – puff sleeves
Wide leg pants for the sporty expect.
Bias cut floor length gown in silk satin or rayon
A silk or rayon skid

Must have accessories:-

Tilt hat or beret
A fur (plenty of lovely faux furs bachelor)
Patterned silk scarf
Gloves
Enough of bling

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Farther Reading:-

1930s Fashion - The Definitive Sourcebook
Everyday Fashions of the 30s - Sears Catalogue

Style icons from the 1930s:-

Wallis Simpson
Marlene Deitrich
Bette Davis
Greta Garbo

Foxy Links:-

Our Pinterest folio on 1930s inspirational styles: http://world wide web.pinterest.com/20thcenturyfoxy/1930s-way-inspiration/
Our weblog: http://thehouseoffoxy.blogspot.co.uk
Our Youtube aqueduct