THE 1930'S FASHION

The Great Depression, the American Cinema, return of the waist, long backless dresses, Marlene Dietrich & trousers.

After the Wall Street crash of 1929 fashion went through a sudden change. By 1930's the 'boyish look' that had dominated the 20’s disappeared completely and women were now Women again.

FASHION

The waist went back to it’s normal place and although there was no exaggeration of the feminine form, the curve was most certainly given more attention.

The biggest design innovation of this decade was the ‘backless dress’: high in the front, but at the back, fairly scooped downwards, almost to the waist.  Gloves were also extremely important in this era.  Women wore long elbow-length gloves with their evening gowns and usually short leather or fabric ones with their daywear.  Another new fashion influence was Hollywood and the American Cinema.  For the first time, people began to want to wear styles they had seen on the big screen.

Although feminine curves were back again, the trousers for women made their first appearance ever!  This revolution is mainly attributed to Marlene Dietrich and Katherine Hepburn.  Their fashion choices paved the way for what was acceptable at that time for women to wear. The waist went back to it’s normal place and although there was no exaggeration of the feminine form, the curve was most certainly given more attention.

WOMEN

During the years of the 1930’s depression, fashion was driven by the fantasies of Hollywood and by a desire to return to a more traditionally feminine image of women.  Perhaps this was influenced by the economical situation of the time, which swayed many to return to a more simple and traditional way of life. 

However, because of industrilasation and expansion, more and more women were now earning their own salaries.  These women no longer wanted time-wasting fittings and now actually had enough money to ‘follow fashion.’  This caused the fashion world to change slightly.  A lot of these women were never too long without fashion but still they had never had much fashion.  Furthermore, some have stated, that with the arrival of Manufactured Fashion, the previous idea that fashion belonged high classes had been lost.         

Long crepe dresses and fur, typical 30's.                                                                            Katharine Hepburn with her revolutionary masculine look.