Ask about the fashion of 1930s, and most fashion experts and historians will talk about the influence of depression on most aspects of life, including fashion. In the 1920s, women were more ‘boyish’ to say the least. By 1933, the trend shifted considerably, and more fitted outfits came to the forte. The boyish trousers were replaced with high waist pants, while hemlines dropped, and more feminine elements became apparent. In this post, we will talk about 1930s women’s fashion in detail.
The changing air
In the 1930s, the great depression and economic hardships affected fashion in more ways than one. This was the decade when factory-made outfits became really popular, because producing couture and custom outfits required more money, and many couldn’t really afford that. More catalogues were found in this period, so that women could know of the choices that were available. Most of the outfits and garments came with zippers. The reason? Well, zippers were not as expensive as buttons! In the same way, fabrics that were otherwise considered or meant for peasants started to find mass liking. This was also the time when textured and rough fabrics found more acceptance because these materials were cheap and could be used effectively to create anything from coats and skirts to complete dresses.
The unique trends
The perfect woman of the 1930s was known for her slender figure and slim waist. Of course, not everyone had that kind of body, so many designed puff sleeves and shoulder pads, so as to make the upper more heavier and beefy than the waist to create a slim illusion. During the decade, working class women still sew their own clothes, and owing a sewing machine was quite common. Many, who otherwise didn’t have the skills or time, opted for fabrics and took them to dressmakers. The house dress became the new thing for experimenting, because the ladies would try an entire range of new ideas and no one but the family knew of their experiments.
It was also the time when something known as a ‘reversible’ house dress was created. In the fashion world, it was known as hooverette, which was created from cotton and had ruffled up sleeves with a cut. Obviously, it had two sides, so it was reversible and was considered to be one of the prime ideas to emerge from 1930s. To shop retro and vintage fashion, check online now!