The smart hat styles of the 1930s evolved from the closely-fitted cloche of the previous decade. Chicago History Museum / Getty Images. Our fashion history blog helps you create the look from decades past using vintage, vintage inspired and thrifty clothing, Need help? The floor layout isn't much to speak of plumbing against one wall, appliances against the other wall. From the 1930s to the 1950s, advertising's most powerful phrase"doctors recommend"was paired with the world's deadliest consumer product. Vast majority of social security benefits went to men and his dependent wife. The life expectancy for a woman in the 1930s was about 70. Not only were men left to fend for themselves, but also the family members which they were responsible for. Linoleum is checkerboard, typical of that era. 1936 Actresses Carol Hughes, Marie Wilson and June Travis wearing culottes and suspender slacks. Now that you know the major highlights of the 30s, lets discuss how you can dress the 1930s way. This Is What the Ideal Woman Looked Like in the 1930s, Original caption: "This is ideal figure that modern women want. Privacy Policy. Ruffled skirts were replaced by the long column skirt in the mid-30s that gradually shortened up into the flared skirt just below the knee in the late 30s. She was partnered with the legendary costume designer Gilbert Adrian, who helped to make her one of the best-dressed women in the 1930s. Jane Adams is in the center. Retiring a locomotive driver wheel in the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railway locomotive shops, Shopton, near Fort Madison, Iowa. The sailor inspired two-piece sailor middy was a common sportswear outfit. That meant you had a range of different colors for suits and also different patterns - checks, Glen plaids, and herringbones were really popular. The ideal 30s silhouette was anything but realistic. Women activists agitated for more than the vote, which was finally won in 1920, but also for workplace fairness and safety, minimum wages, and the abolition of child labor. There was also the military-inspired leather flight jacket dyed in vibrant colors. Date Added . The slang terminology that became popular during the 1930s is a type of jargon that is completely unique to the spirit of the time. Read: Privacy Policy, Disclosure, Terms and Conditions. She was referred to as just Curley's wife. An evolution of the boyish look of the 1920, the ideal '30s woman was tall and slender with a very small waist and narrow hips. Seven men from Belfast's Shankill Road were among approximately 100 from Northern Ireland who signed up to fight for the International Brigade: while women expressed their support through public meetings and fund-raising in organisations such as the International Brigade Dependents' Committee and the Women's Committee of the Spanish Relief Fund. For eveningwear, white, black, or champagne colors were popular. Dressing in vintage style clothing for a themed event or personal fashion is our passion. The amount of working women increased by 50% from 1930 to 1940. Budgets were small, however, so many women had to make their own accessories. One of the main reasons women were hired for many of these new jobs that resulted from emerging technology was that they could be paid considerably less than men (and often still are). By the end of the 30s, skirts were shorter, and the dresses had padded shoulders to usher the fashion of the 1940s. Women living back then faced a double bind: A womans place was supposed to be in the home, but many women were forced to work when industrial production plummeted and men lost their jobs. The ideal body type has long been a topic of fascination. Beach pajamas were also house pajamas along with silky nightgowns, robes and slippers. Arrival of American Mission in Rotterdam on board SS Noordam for the Peace Congress at the Hague. May 23, 2022 / by / in houses for rent by owner in ellijay, gahouses for rent by owner in ellijay, ga ", Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock. It involved cutting the fabric at an angle of 45 degrees instead of following a straight grain. Silk or rayon crepe was seen for afternoon frocks, and sheer rayons for blouses and summer party dresses. Casual tops were worn untucked. Following closely on the heels of prohibition, alcohol use came out of the shadows in the 1930s. Dr. Mary Dowd is a dean of students whose job includes student conduct, leading the behavioral consultation team, crisis response, retention and the working with the veterans resource center. Though men were still primarily the bread winners, women were tasked with feeding and caring for the family on increasingly tiny budgets. RM TWWPKC - A vintage black and white photograph taken during the 1930s in England, showing a woman, posing to a camera, outside in a park, wearing a fur jacket, and typical fashion of the period. 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. Dresses | Tops | Skirts | Pants | Coats | Shoes | Sewing patterns. To shop, run errands, attend a tea, or see a matinee, she would need a 1930s smart afternoon or day dress. 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. Because the average woman did not necessarily have this slim figure with a narrow waist, a trend of puffed or padded sleeves came into fashion. Being on a tight budget was no excuse for sloppy fashion. Makeup was booming during this time. This is not considered a significant increase. Silky sets trimmed in lace are the inspiration for most luxury sleepwear today. Point of View. Womens trousers were a new thing for young girls and women. In the United States, the Dust Bowl led to the nickname the "Dirty Thirties".. (In 1937, annual pay was $525 for women and $1.027 for men.). For fancier dresses, the long sleeve dolman sleeve, bishop sleeve, or wrapover blouse with a fitted waistband exaggerated the top. Instead of working, most of society believed that a woman's place was in the home. Gauntlet style gloves had flaring cuffs attached at the wrist or embroidered turn-over cuffs. I was surprised to see mature women wearing evening dresses in the same shapes and styles as young women. Americans began to buy low-cost copies of French fashions, or they made their own. In 1930 a gallon of gas was 10 cents and by 1939 was 10 cents 10 cents. Women took on new jobs and responsibilities to provided for themselves and their families. Learn more about 1930s blue jeans and western wear history. More than four million people are unemployed as a result of the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Learn more about womens 1930s shorts, rompers, playsuits and summer clothes. Women worked nonstop cleaning and maintaining households with limited resources, cutting corners wherever possible. This is a fifty-percent increase from the 1920s. The fashion industry underwent many changes during this decade in response to the severe economic hardships of the time. Now, though, the ideal figure must have a round, high bosom, a slim but not wasp-like waist, and gently rounded hips. A tan began to mean that one had time for leisure, not that one had to work in the sun. 1. Women clothing softly hugged their bodies but was still long, Sleeveless blouses became quite popular, especially for women casual wear, Tailored suits became popular for businesswomen and featured a long, slim design that softly hugged the body. Women, in particular, brighten the dull days by rocking dresses that showcased their curves. Their previous, ordinary daily lives became a daily struggle to keep their families alive. This hurt advertising and the number of adverts placed in newspapers and magazines declined. This is a fifty-percent increase from the 1920s. As we finalize our guide on 1930s fashion women, here are the major takeaways; Copyright 2023 Vintage Spotter | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme, The boyish look of the 20s evolved to a more natural, curvy look in the 30s, Natural waistlines and curves were emphasized, but the long, slim look of the 1920s didnt go away. Fabrics were richer lace, organdy, rayon, silk crepes, and sheers. The T-strap shoe that began in the 20s exploded in the 1930s in both casual and dressy styles. Of the female workforce, one-third of them were married. For evening gowns, there were silky satin, lace, velvet, and taffeta. These dressy outfits came in solid colors as well as lovely prints. The 1930s caused hard times for all people, especially the women. Presto! Federal Reserve Inflation The Fed Money and Banking Monetary Policy. The decade did, however, bring slow and steady progress, even as new challengesespecially economic and cultural onesemerged that actually reversed some earlier advances. 1930s lingerie fabrics moved more towards shiny silk, satin crepe, crepe de chine, yarn crepe, watered crepe mousseline, and satin georgette. White accessories gloves, belts, hats, shoes. 1920's. 1930's. 1920s fashion. However, when the Depression hit, men often became depressed and saw themselves as failures. Floral patterns were in, and so was fur. They had to attempt to make what little income they might have stretch to points that were unheard of. Learn more about 1930s swimwear history and shop retro vintage inspired 1930s swimsuits. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Paired with pants and skirts was an array of blouses and sweaters. While wool did a good job of repelling water naturally, raincoats were coated in a type of rubber or made entirely of rubber. We have a sizable sink flanked by a couple of work areas. Oversized bows, flounces, ruffles, capes, and dickies also added volume to silk, lace, organdy or satin blouses. In fact, if you look at 1930s fashion pictures, you will notice the chiffon tea dresses look astoundingly contemporary. Learn more about vintage raincoats from the 1920s to 1950s. One of the most enduring and troublesome mysteries in economics is money: how it is created, what sorts of . For the first time in history, women from all social backgrounds could afford to look fashionable. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Toward the end of the decade, wedges began to appear. Colors were varied: white, black, navy blue, many shades of grey and taupe. There was also Peg's Paper (1919 to 40) English Woman's Journal (1850s to 1910), The Gentlewoman (1890 to 1926), The Freewoman (1911 to 1912), The Lady's Realm (1890s to 1914), Time and Tide (1920s to 1970s), Woman's Journal (1920 to 2001) to name the most well known. There were others, often with a more targeted purpose, for example . Married women worked because their husbands were unable to support the family by themselves. Again, the wage gap was justified by the stereotype of the male breadwinner needing earnings that would support not just himself, but a traditional familywhether he was married or not. Countless other women also played a big role in advancing womens political engagement through the League of Women Voters. Seventy-five percent of professional women were either nurses or schoolteachers, which remain traditional roles for women. By the 1930s, women were starting to parcel out their place in society in this interwar period. Clear raincoats were a new trend that women appreciated, since it did not cover up their beautiful clothes underneath. For the silver-haired older woman and grandmother, Sears came up with a line of dresses for the Gracious Lady. These dresses had long slim sleeves, a nigh neckline, self fabric belt, midi skirt length, and a white detachable collar and jabot. In addition to beach pajamas, womens swimwear consisted of fitted wool one pieces with cotton jersey lining, a mini skit over boy shorts, and frequently little belts accentuating the waist. African American women became central to the cultural flowering of the Harlem Renaissance that followed World War I. Women took on new jobs and responsibilities to provided for themselves and their families. Original caption: This is ideal figure that modern women want., Travel back in time with treasured photos and stories, sent right to your inbox, Zip Service: When the Model Met the Mobot, Serious Drinking: LIFE at a Martini Contest, The Couples Walkathon That Lasted Five Months, Howard University: Every Signal Told Students We Could Be Anything. Shop 1930s plus size dresses and clothing. See disclaimer. Pictures of women from the 1930s often show them dressed up despite the fact that they were homemakers. Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. The floral print cotton button-down blouse was an all-time favorite for its simplicity and comfort. 1935 Mrs. Arthur Beall's Summer Suit. The role of women in the 1930s was primarily to become the glue that holds the family together through economic strife, according to the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Learn more about 1930s blouses and knit shirts. In the 1930s, the major trends for hairstyles were all about waves. Now that is a smart woman. In 1930 the average income per year was $1,970.00 and by 1939 was $1,730.00. Colors like brown, navy, charcoal were definitely something that men would . 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. Read more about 1930s fashions colors and fabrics here. Sweaters could be both short or long sleeves, worn on their own or layered over another blouse or camisole. Other factors that led to greater sexual freedom included more relaxed clothing styles and societal attitudes that were less restrictive. During the Roaring Twenties, information on contraceptives became increasingly widespread, allowing women the freedom to engage in sexual activity without the often inevitable consequences of pregnancy. Ana Branger (born early 1920s), early . Womens shoes in the 1930s came in a wide variety of styles, but walking Oxfords were extremely popular. They were allowed to work, but there was a negative stereotype that held women back. The most casual a woman dressed was while at home, with just her family, or when visiting lady neighbors. Lace collars were especially favored by elderly women again, a lingering trend from the Victorian era. Almost any fitted blouse with a modest neckline can work for a 1930s outfit. Enjoy access to millions of presentations, documents, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more ad-free. We may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking a link. A few more prices from the 30's and how much things cost. The 30s saw radical technological advancements and changes in clothing designs that leaned more to a professional look. Click on the picture or title of the product and you will be redirected to the online merchant selling that item. All rights reserved. The 1930s was the undisputed "golden age" of Hollywood. 1936 This Dress is a Peach Color, Popular for Eveningwear in the Mid 1930s. Learn more about 1930s sweaters, cardigans and knitwear history. This was due to the fact that most companies believed that male workers were more valuable. The 1930s were a colorful time, and there was almost no color left out. The poorest women, such as farmers, often wore house dresses that were 10+ years old and worn out. 1938 Women at a Five and Dim Shop, Shopping After Church. Felix the Cat, the first character-driven series of animated cartoons, began as Feline Follies in 1919 -- becoming very popular during the 1920s.Although many were later created in color, the Felix cartoons faltered financially in the 1930s, partly because of poor economic times but also because of legal issues over ownership rights.Felix the Cat cartoons later "found their voice," and . Shirring around the shoulders and bust amplified the bust area. Still, some very prominent women affected big changes through government organizations at the time. Floral Dresses in the Typical Early 1930s Silhouette. 1930s fashion colors were lovely pastels in spring and summer and rich earth tones in fall-winter. Colored glass beads mimicked pearls but cost significantly less. Section 213 of the 1932 Federal Economy Act banned more than one family member from working for the United States government. Questions about sizing and shipping are answered on the merchants website. This period saw the birth and rise of ready-to-wear clothes and the production of affordable, man-made fabrics. Sunbathing became a trend in the 1920s and continued in the 30s as Coco Chanel and Hollywood stars encouraged the tan look. 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. 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. The 1930s women's fashion was elegant, glamorous, attractive, and overall more feminine than the previous decade. Was it merely a triumph of the dress makers? Socialites of the day often visited trendy night clubs that flourished during the depression with the help of their elite clientele. Click on the picture or title of the product and you will be redirected to the online merchant selling that item. Shop now. The frugal woman who could feed and dress her family on a dime was praised. It clarifies how particular races of women were treated in the field of employment during the 1930s. Small town local shops carried a simple selection of cotton house dresses, hats, stockings and accessories cheap items for low budget shoppers. A wide variety of hats were worn in the 30s. In the years to come, women authors of the 1930s that graced the top-selling fiction list are a number that went on to become literary legends: Isak Dinesen ( Out of Africa, 1937), Virginia Woolf ( The Years, 1937) Daphne Du Maurier ( Rebecca, 1938), and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings ( The Yearling, 1938), among others. Despite the Depression, it is remembered as the era of escapism, glamorous Hollywood starlets . Eyebrows were arched high and thin. Another place where women were thriving in the workplace was the growing film industry whose ranks included many powerful female stars. There were contrasting colors in prints, but earthy tones dominated the daywear. To dress professionally the 1930s way, you can go with a fussy blouse made of silk or rayon chiffons and have an ornamental tie accompanied by a skirt that showcases your shape. Firestone Tire 1932 from $3.69. The decade did, however, bring slow and steady progress, even as new challengesespecially economic and cultural onesemerged that actually reversed some earlier advances. "The 1930s: Womens Shifting Rights and Roles in United States." Accessories could transform a simple dress into something very smart. It is the International Sound Version. What were women's wages in the 1930s? What fabric was used in the 1930s? The slipperiness of the fabric aided in draping thin clothing over the body. With two sides, it was two dresses in one! In 1939, women made approximately 20% less By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions 1938 Mrs. Hugh Auchincloss's Skirt and Blouse. As a result, manufacturing decreased worldwide, leading to high rates of unemployment. Prints of all kinds of florals, scrolls, plaid, and checks made the house dress something fun to make and wear every day. Shop for 1930s style womens coats and jackets. Silky, clinging fabrics were common in 1930s evening gowns, often worn with a fur wrap or coat. ATI: High Society in the 1930s: No Time for Depression, History.com: Life for the Average Family During the Great Depression. flapper. The emerging film and radio entertainment industry created new stars, like Carmen Miranda, a beloved samba dancer and singer. During this era, zippers became a staple in finishing a garment they cost less than buttons! In the 1930s, despite the fact that women were a big part of the society, they were not treated equally in the workplace compared to their male counterparts.