1930s- The depression

All the way through the 1930s the world was in a depression; little was going into the economy and unemployment was high. Clothes became expensive but luckily the sewing machine became accessible, so women put their skills to the test to keep up with fashion in their own homes.

When times are hard in reality, people turn to fantasy to escape their troubles and going to the cinema was the perfect way to do this. Hollywood film stars and pin-up girls such as Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich became the new fashion icons. They made bare cleavages acceptable and soft silhouettes and over-the-top jewellery a huge trend. They also helped made the bias cut and halter necks, designed by Madeleine Vionnet, staples for evening wear.

Greta Garbo (left) in a jewelled neckline, bias cut dress

Marlene Dietrich (right) was famous for her masculine styles

Day wear from the ‘20s became increasingly common as women started wearing comfortable day dresses which still accentuated the female form with detailed waists and necklines and broadened shoulders. Practical shoes were in demand for women so they could do their chores in comfort. These dresses were also worn out and about in the day time for comfort and practicality especially since sports such as tennis were getting more popular for women.

1930s pattern piece for women to make their own day dress

Swimwear started to become more practical and sometimes more revealing. Chanel turned the tan from a sign of poverty to a status symbol for the first time in centuries as before pale skin was a sign of not having to work; she did this by designing backless swimsuits. For women who still saw that as too revealing or found it hard to adjust to this change, casual beach pyjamas were the obvious alternative accompanied by huge floppy hats.

Bibliography

Adelinesattic. (2010) (Beach) Pyjama Party, Part II [online] Blogspot. Available from: http://lettersfromhomefront.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/beach-pajama-party-part-ii.html [25/04/2012]

Babydee. (2012) 1930s Vintage Ladies’ Bathing Suit 533 –Knitting Pattern – PDF eBook [online] Etsy. Available from: http://www.etsy.com/listing/45836283/1930s-vintage-ladies-bathing-suit-533 [25/04/2012]

Bosaya, D. (2010) Marlene Dietrich or the Other Side of the Legend of Glamour and Stardom [online] Quebec: Lioness Women’s Club. Available from: http://www.lionesswomansclub.com/post/234/ [25/04/2012]

Fashion Launcher. (2008) Greta Garbo [online] Norway: Blogspot. Available from: http://fashionlaunch.blogspot.co.uk/2008_12_01_archive.html [25/04/2012]

Serendipity Vintage. (2012) Simplicity 3068 – 1930s Day or Activewear Frock [online] California: Serendipity Vintage. Available from: http://www.serendipityvintage.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=244 [25/05/2012]