1930s Dress Design

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Photo by the State Library of NSW

1930s dress design swung back from the boyish lines of the 1920s to a more feminine shape. Elegance and sophistication were the order of the day.  Women had grown up after the daring wild days of the roaring twenties.

The waist was back.  Skirts were longer and flared, and shoulders were more defined.  Women wore well fitted and smart tailoring, suit skirts and jackets, and hats were smaller, with a larger brim and worn perched on top of the head in at a jaunty angle. During the Depression years people wanted to appear smart and well turned out, to hide the fact that they might be struggling financially.  So women would always wear a jacket or coat and hat, and men wore suits outside the house. 

Pure wool suits were affordable, but most would only have one, and it would be well cared for, and mended.  In the summer, waisted frocks with fine stripes, or flowers were popular for women.  Most were cotton, but the newer man-made fibres such as rayon were becoming more common. 

Hairstyles were equally more feminine, now that the cloche hat was worn less.  Longer flowing locks with curls were the rage. Perms were safer and easier, and hair was often crimped with the waves much closer together. Makeup became less severe with more pastel shades. 

Hollywood Glamour

Hollywood glamour had an influence on dresses for evening wear, the screen goddess look was very flowing, floor length and with much emphasis on the womanly curves which had been hidden in the 1920s. Sunbathing had become fashionable, and evening dresses often had a bare back or halter neck to show off a sun tan.  Shimmering metallic fabric adorned with sequins or beads gave that special movie star look.  Puff sleeves and long gloves finished the effect for the more demure.  Silk crepe, chiffon and taffeta were the fabrics of choice with velvet for the winter.  The 1930s debuttantes from NSW at the top of the page, were perhaps rather prim compared to some of the movie star looks of the thirties.

Pure silk was the best for the stylish tailoring of designers such as Schiaparelli or Madame Vionnet, though the new rayon was a good substitute and meant that every women could afford elegant lingerie.

Photo by the State Library of NSW

Coco Chanel had made soft jersey and cotton popular for day wear. Nylons came of age in the 1930s, and now stockings were sleek and enhanced the smoothness of the leg.  The zipper came into widespread use in 1930s dress designs too.  

1930s dresses are easy to find online, or in your local vintage store and are still very affordable.  Alternatively, make your own with a genuine 1930s dress pattern.

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