Point of View. They had to attempt to make what little income they might have stretch to points that were unheard of. They also kept their hair close to their scalp. My 30s Summer Outfit All from Thrifted Clothing. Fun by day, drama at night. Oversized bows, flounces, ruffles, capes, and dickies also added volume to silk, lace, organdy or satin blouses. Additionally, individuality was encouraged. Many, such as the green coat below, had large detachable fur collars. Due to the 1929 stock market crash, and many other attributing factors, the United States entered into the Great Depression within the year 1929. The frugal woman who could feed and dress her family on a dime was praised. Despite the toll taken by the Great Depression, the spirit of the times fused the tension of the era with social realism. One unique house dress variation was the reversible house wrap dress, called a hooverette. Practical, affordable, and washable in cotton percale, they were true to thirties style. Lennie being thinks she's really . Americans began to buy low-cost copies of French fashions, or they made their own. Instead of working, most of society believed that a woman's place was in the home. The magazine explained that American womens increasing involvement in sports in recent years had made them taller and flatter, and as such, the boyish form became the vogue. But by the late 30s, romantic-influenced clothing had returned to fashion, and a soft feminine figure was replacing the athletic form as the look du jour: The perfect 1938 figure must have curves but it differs from the perfect figure of past decades in relationship of curves to straight lines. Hats were a very important part of a woman's look. Small hooks or zippers on the back, side, or front secured them in place with minimal bulge. The car had so much power, and today, some automotive historians have said it set the tone for the V-8 era that began after World War II. Fashion was beautifully designed and made and was available to many people; not just the privileged few. Women's 1930s makeup was less vampy than the looks of the 1920s. Many had zip up or button up plaquettes. Eyebrows were arched high and thin. Top Collection 1930s woman. The slouch hat (or Panama hat as it is known today) was widely popular during the 1930s, and women wore wide-brimmed straw hats during the summertime. Sign up for our weekly vintage fashion newsletter, Vintage Maternity Clothes History 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1930s House Dresses, Fabrics, Sewing Patterns , average to plus size and young to mature women here, pants / trousers/ slacks in earlier decades. Read more about 1930s purses. The 1930s caused hard times for all people, especially the women. Many dresses were sleeveless and had decorations around the neckline, a V-shape on the bust area, or backless design. 1930s fashion gave them all of these once again. flapper. The use of sequins and beading fell out of fashion by the late 1920s, but its consumption in Hollywood continued unabated. In 1930 the average cost of new car was $640.00 and by 1939 was $700.00. Shop now. ), the article explained that women of the time should have a soft and slim, feminine shape better to wear . Despite the Depression, makeup and cosmetics sales doubled in the thirties! Still, some very prominent women affected big changes through government organizations at the time. The 1930s caused hard times for all people, especially the women. There was a strict etiquette for what type of gloves to wear when and with what dress. The long loose jacket is what made these outfits easygoing and comfortable on all body types. Semi Casual Shirts and Tops, early 1930s. 1930s stockings, held up with garters, were essential in all seasons. Florence Kelley, active in the first three decades of the century, was a mentor to many of the women who were activists in the 1930s. Makeup was socially acceptable and women wanted to put their best face . The 1920s fashion showed a drastic change in the way women lived and dressed, especially after WWI, whereby women wore dresses with higher hemlines and no curves. People were encouraged to be healthy and fit, and this extended into clothing. Our fashion history blog helps you create the look from decades past using vintage, vintage inspired and thrifty clothing, Need help? The sailor inspired two-piece sailor middy was a common sportswear outfit. Retiring a locomotive driver wheel in the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railway locomotive shops, Shopton, near Fort Madison, Iowa. THE PIECE: A two piece jersey knit suit in a light green. Small white straw hats were worn in the summer, as well as wide-brimmed cartwheel hats. Short hair was in style (although long hair was acceptable), and it needed expert attention to cut and curl hair. Following dress style, womens winter coats went to mid calf with a nipped high waist, full shoulders, puffed sleeves, and wide lapels or oversized collars and made entirely of wool. (2021, February 16). Silky sets trimmed in lace are the inspiration for most luxury sleepwear today. Women took on new jobs and responsibilities to provided for themselves and their families. Prints of all kinds of florals, scrolls, plaid, and checks made the house dress something fun to make and wear every day. Gloves were worn with both day dresses and evening gowns. The mens video is also excellent. Hedy Lamarr Actress | Samson and Delilah Prints were less common with older women, except for small florals or small white polka dots on a dark ground. No depression.. This is not considered a significant increase. The issue of womens rights was less dramatic and widespread in the 1930s than it had been at the height of earlier suffrage battlesor would be again during the subsequent "second-wave feminism" of the 1960s and 1970s. The boxy 20s look was replaced with a much more modest and form-fitting 1930s style with an accentuated natural high waist, fitted hips, longer mid-calf or floor length hemline, high neckline, and wide shoulders. Read: Privacy Policy, Disclosure, Terms and Conditions. Learn more about womens 1930s slacks, pants, overalls, culottes, and riding outfits. Claude Cahun was a French photographer who rose to fame during the 1920s for her Surrealistself-portraits. Dressing in vintage style clothing for a themed event or personal fashion is our passion. During the years of 1935 and 1936, the average median income for a family in the United States was $1,160, according to the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Juried by Colette Gaiter BOARD SERVICE | VOLUNTEER SUBSCRIBE | WMG NEWS Woman Made Gallery 2150 S Canalport Ave, 4A-3, Chicago, IL 60608 | Dial 354 to enter building The T-strap shoe that began in the 20s exploded in the 1930s in both casual and dressy styles. As a result, the unemployment rate of men increased to 25%. By Jennifer Rosenberg Updated on June 27, 2019 The 1930s were dominated by the Great Depression in the United States and the rise of Nazi Germany in Europe. Many had bold patterns or very bright colors such as red, blue, or green. 15. womens 1930s shorts, rompers, playsuits and summer clothes. The slipperiness of the fabric aided in draping thin clothing over the body. There were, however, a few designs, colors, and details that were bettered suited to the women over the age of 40, 50, 60, and beyond. Popularly known as the Great Depression decade when the whole world sunk into an economic depression, the 1930s period is sometimes forgotten when fashion is mentioned. Women and men had been socialized to see their roles differently: men were the breadwinners and women worked at home. Many dressy blouses came with a matching belt. Cutouts and broguing (small holes) are unique characteristics of a 1930s era shoe. and They needed to find ways to help support their families. The ideal 30s silhouette was anything but realistic. Peach and aqua were new favorite warm season colors not seen in the 20s. Gossip columnists had no trouble finding extravagant debutante balls where affluent young women were formally introduced into high society. During this era, zippers became a staple in finishing a garment they cost less than buttons! As the decade progressed and the worst of the Depression passed, matching belt, glove, and bags sets (as well as belts dyed to match a dress exactly) became popular. Womens trousers were a new thing for young girls and women. Learn more about 1930s blouses and knit shirts. Levi Strauss & Co. The women wore dresses and kept their hair close to their head. If a blouse had a lower neckline, a silk or light knit scarf could be tied around the neck and tucked under the blouse. Minnesota Historical Society/Getty Images. For poor women, house dresses were very simple, usually undecorated except for a white collar. The ideal 30s womans figure was tall and slender with a very small waist and narrow hips. Similarly womens 1930s shorts had a skirt-like look with wide pleated legs or came in the same sailor button looks as pants. Shapewear in the form of corsets, all-in-ones, and girdles helped form the ideal linear silhouette while a silky slip smoothed out dress lines. Sportswear for tennis, hiking, picnics, skiing, or even just watching sports featured trouser pants, overalls, and even shorts! Lewis, Jone Johnson. High-society ladies and starlets merely scaled back visits to the perfume and jewelry counter, but everyone else struggled just to survive. ", Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock. It involved cutting the fabric at an angle of 45 degrees instead of following a straight grain. Money in the 1920s and 1930s. -https://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/industry/12.htm (provided pictures and info), http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?query=&prodId=UHIC&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&disableHighlighting=true&displayGroups=&sortBy=&zid=&search_within_results=&action=2&catId=&activityType=&documentId=GALE%7CCX3468301237&source=Bookmark&u=sand55832&jsid=ff1c546a17b62d2d1ce4007351b97724, Curated Stories About the Decade & the Dustbowl, -https://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/industry/12.htm. Shop for 1930s style womens coats and jackets. African American women became central to the cultural flowering of the Harlem Renaissance that followed World War I. Short sleeves were puffed. With fewer jobs available, employers generally preferred to award those they had to men who'd traditionally worn the mantle of the family breadwinner. The cut allowed the fabric to hug the body in a natural way thanks to the emphasis on horizontal stretches, and this helped to emphasize a womans natural body shape. Fashion was beautifully designed and made and was available to many people; not just the privileged few. Nannie Helen Burroughs, was an African-American educator and civil rights activist, Washington DC, 1930. In 1930 the average income per year was $1,970.00 and by 1939 was $1,730.00. Presto! By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Learn more about 1930s blue jeans and western wear history. It was the fourth decade in the twentieth century history of the United States, the country's darkest hour, yet quite possibly one of the most social decades of all. Makeup was booming during this time. Open toe sandals, too, were becoming more common for beachside strolls. Casual sports clothes skirt-like shorts, striped knit shirts. Hats became a primary method to glam up an ensemble. In the 1930s, the major trends for hairstyles were all about waves. Roosevelts New Deal agencies gave employment almost entirely to men, especially in regards to Civilian Conservation Corps and Civil Works Administration. It has been long said that if the 1930s were a book, it would begin with the Great Depression and end with the beginning of the second World War. For fancier dresses, the long sleeve dolman sleeve, bishop sleeve, or wrapover blouse with a fitted waistband exaggerated the top. I have yet to find a reference or photo of mature women wearing pants. Colors were rich but cheerful green, medium blue, wine, brown and cream. Shop 1930s style pants / trousers /overalls. Accessories could transform a simple dress into something very smart. The 20s cloche and the beret lingered on from the previous decade. They had the standard silhouette and classic 30s features: puff sleeves, belted waists, and large yokes and collars. (In 1937, annual pay was $525 for women and $1.027 for men.). Skirts sold with matching or coordinating jackets became suits. Because of work, daywear needed to be functional, but this didnt mean the dresses lost their femininity and elegance. Click on the picture or title of the product and you will be redirected to the online merchant selling that item. Small hats worn at a tilt often with a single feather as an accent dominated the decade. If youre more interested in slang itself, explore the history of American slang words. 1. Womens ingenuity helped soften the tough times of the Great Depression. But as the decade went on, more asymmetrical, masculine-inspired styles became popular. The mindset behind this derived from the married man being perceived as the breadwinner if the woman was employed, she was stealing a job from the man. Usually, they had simple tank straps and often low or even plunging backs. In the mid-30s, the natural waist was further highlighted by the use of seams that were below the bust and more molded shoulders in the form of butterfly, banjo, or puffed sleeves. Women with postsecondary education worked as nurses, teachers or secretaries until they found a husband. The insurgence of ready-to-wear fueled the buy at home catalog market such as Sears, Montgomery Wards, and Simpsons. The 30s saw radical technological advancements and changes in clothing designs that leaned more to a professional look. "The 1930s: Womens Shifting Rights and Roles in United States." The trench coat and the cape coat was especially popular. Colors were varied: white, black, navy blue, many shades of grey and taupe. No trouble finding extravagant debutante balls where affluent young women were formally introduced into high.... With wide pleated legs or came in the 20s Corps and civil rights activist, Washington,! 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