1930s Fashion

Fashion in the 1930s will be forever remembered as the ultimate era of Hollywood glamour. Women were at last able to dress in a way that was both practical yet stylish and sexy, after being liberated from the constraints of corsets and cumbersome designs and modesty rules of previous years.

In-between two world wars money was tight in the 1930s, so women were no longer at liberty to indulge in fashion so had to find other ways in looking smart and fashionable. Clothes were repaired instead of replaced and accessories played an important part. Costume jewellery, especially brooches, necklaces and rings were favoured as a cheaper alternative to the diamonds and gems that had previously been the required jewellery amongst the fashionable classes.

Until the 1930s wealthy women had not really needed to wear practical day clothes. Although styles had been designated day styles if they were impractical it had not really mattered as long as maids took care of chores. Now women had more productive and busier lives and simpler pared down clothes gave a freedom of movement women relished in daily life. More luxurious Gowns were kept for evening. New fabrics like metallic lame were very popular at night and were made to shimmer even more richly by adding plastic sequins and glass beads.

The 1930s was a time of great economic depression, even so it was still a period of industrial advances as machinery and techniques that were developed before, during and after the First World War, began to have an effect on everyday life. Fashion during this time benefited from many new inventions and innovations including zip fasteners and raylon – the first commercially used man-made fibre.

While Paris couturiers of the 1930s were the driving force behind changing trends, the 1930s are perhaps best exemplified by the Hollywood film stars who brought their clothes to life. Actresses such as Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich and Barbara Stanwyck epitomised the look with their penchant for elongated bias-cut, halter-neck gowns in shimmering silk fabric. Perhaps more than any other era in fashion, the evening-wear styles of the 1930s continue to directly influence evening-wear designs popular today. The elongated gowns, halter-neck dresses and the draped cowl neckline so frequently seen on the red carpets today owe a great deal to the 1930s. All the leading fashion designers today continue to reference this decade – when Hollywood glamour was born.

Some of the key looks of 1930s Clothing include – Bias-cut gowns, Raylon fabric, Halter-neck backless evening gowns, fur stoles and wraps, opulent and beautiful costume jewellery and narrow suits worn with a hat and gloves. Matching accessories started to become a really important thing.

Some of the notable designers of 1930s fashion were, Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, Edward Molyneux, Augusta Bernard, Louise Boulanger, Cristobal Balenciaga, Robert Piguet and Madeleine Vionnet.

You can find 1930s clothing as well as lots more original vintage clothing at My Vintage. Visit our shop in Darwen, Lancashire or find us online for even more 1930s fashion!

Click here to find fabulous vintage clothing from the 1930s at My Vintage.

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