1930s

Fashion in the 1930s was characterised by:

Women's Clothing

• Glamour
• Long slinky backless gowns for evening
• Gowns were cut on the bias to cling to the body shape
• Skirts were straight and longer than in the late 20s
• Streamlined "Art Deco" silhouettes
• Waistlines back to "normal" level
White skirts "a summer necessity"
Separates becoming more important
For evening, gentle curves emphasised with ruffles and ruching
Halter tops and shorts
Popular dress styles - sailor, tennis stripes, large bows, cap sleeves, cummerbund sash, deep revers.

1930-1934

"Silhouette: Slim, narrow, longer skirts, natural waist; from 1933: wider shoulders.
Bodice: Semi-fitted, bias cut, narrow belts.
Neckline: Low, cut away from the neck, ties and scarves popular.
Sleeves: Inset, long fitted, bias cut, inset panels, flared cuffs.
Skirt: Slim, clinging, intricate seaming, bias cut, from 1934: mid-calf length.
Fabrics: Silk and wool crepe, silk georgette, satin, panne vlevet, organdie.
Trimmings: Top-stitching, contrast fabric insertions, large buttons.
Colour: Two-tone: black and white, brown and cream, navy and white.
Accessories: Small hats worn at an angle, gauntlet gloves, clutch bags, silk stockings, shoes with high heels.

 

Ruffle Neck Jumper - 1936

1935 -1939

Silhouette: Slender, small hips, natural waist, padded shoulders.
Bodice: Semi-fitted, natural waist, padded shoulders.
Neckline: High round, small neat collars, shoulderwide collars
Sleeves: Long inset, short puff.
Skirt: Flared, straight with inverted pleat,; from 1939 - knee length.
Fabric: Silk georgette, lightweight linen and wool, wool tweed.
Trimmings: Saddle stitching, contrast colour collars and cuffs, lace collars and cuffs.
Colour: Dark cream, mustard, grey, navy blue, brown, black.
Accessories: Small, mannish hats, gauntlet gloves, clutch bags, shoulder bags, twotone shoes with high, thick heels."                                                                              (Peacock)

Underwear and Sleepwear

Dainty Bedjacket

• Underwear was often knitted
• Briefer
• Slips
• Full or half corset
• Bedjackets and dressing jackets were popular
• Uplifting brassieres

Bathers

• Backless
• Above thigh

Accessories

• Gloves
• Hat brims now folded back to display the forehead
• Hats had brims
• "Streamlined" Art Deco jewellery
• Furs
• T - strap shoes
• By 1933, hats becoming small
• Costume jewellery popular, African and cubist designs, gold and silver plate, enamel and tortoiseshell
• Fezzes, berets, tiny and enormous hats
• Profile hat
• Three quarter length gloves

One Piece Underwear - 1930s

Hair & Make-Up

• Hair was still cut short, and often blonde
• Eyebrows were very fine, or shaved off and pencilled in
• Lips were dark

Men

• The English "drape suit" popular - broad but unpadded shoulders, moderate lapels, tapered sleeves and nipped waist
• High-waisted, double pleated trousers supported by suspenders
• Neatly cut waistcoat
• Sports jackets increasingly popular
• Sports shirts, such as striped jersey sailor shirts, polo shirts, white knittted tennis shirts, "dishrag shirt" which laced at the neck.(1933)
• Summer weight suits in light fabrics



Shirley Temple frock - 1936

• Accessories
• Two tone shoes

Children

• Shirley Temple style dress
• Knitted suits and dresses
• Knitted underwear



1936

• Shirley Temple curls
• Knitted coats

Babies

• Traditional layettes
• Raglan sleeves by 1936.
• Collars on matinee jackets.

Reference: Michael and Ariane Batterberry: Fashion: The Mirror of History, 1982, London, Columbus Books
"20th Century Fashion: The Complete Sourcebook,"by John Peacock.
1993; London; Thames and Hudson, p.228