1930s Clothing &
1930s Fashion
There was a general desire for elegant and sophisticated clothes
in the 1930s. This came partly as a reaction against the wild and daring fashions of the 1920s,
when women wore very short dresses, and partly because in times of financial hardship,
such as the 1930s, people often try harder to appear well dressed and respectable.
|
|
Nearly everyone, male and female, wore a hat or cap when going out,
for instance, and men only sat in their shirtsleeves in the privacy of their own homes.
Usually they wore a suit and tie, or jacket and trousers;
even those with little money would try to have one suit for "Sunday best".
For women, clothes were close fitting and well cut, with hem lines coming
below the knee in 1930s day dress. Many people still had their clothes made to measure, but there was a
growing demand for a choice of ready made garments. Poorer people often bought their
clothes second hand and would mend, darn or patch them rather than
throw them away.
Matching jackets and skirts were tailored in pure wool tweed and were warm
and cosy in winter, worn with hand knitted or ready made woollen jumpers, cardigans
or "twin-sets".
Leather coats,
very soft, wool lined and dyed attractive colours, were popular too and quite cheap at about £5.
For summer wear, there were the popular "Macclesfield" silk dresses, shirt waister style,
with multi coloured delicate stripes. There were also cotton and linen dresses in plain, striped
and floral materials in blue dress, black dress and in elegant evening dress.
Evening or afternoon dresses were often made of pure silk crepe, chiffon, taffeta
or velvet, cut on the cross to provide a fitting bodice and a flared skirt. "Ring"
velvet was very fine and soft and so called because a width of it could be pulled through
a wedding ring in.
Although most clothes were made of natural fibres, artificial silk and rayon were available,
but these were used for the cheaper clothes. (Recollections written down by Kathleen Phillips, 1983)
What to Wear 30s Fashion Dresses 1930s Evening Dresses
Hats and gloves were a "must" for formal occasions such as attending Church,
tea parties, even at formal lunch parties (when the hostess also wore a hat!) and of course
at Wimbledon, which was then something of a fashion parade. One's luggage always included
a hat box - a round affair with a carrying strap. (Recollections written down by Kathleen Phillips, 1983)
For most dinner parties and dances, evening dress would be required. Women would wear
long dresses like an elegant long dress, elegant black dress or an elegant cocktail dress.
Evening dress for men consists of full dress with a tail coat, or for less
formal occasions of a dinner jacket or a 1930s suit. With a tail coat a white waistcoat and tie are usually worn;
but an black waistcoat and tie are the thing with a elegant evening dinner jacket.
Extract from “Finding Out About: Life In Britain In The 1930s”, written by Cherry Gilchrist. London, B.T.Batsford Ltd, 1984.
|
1930s Style Dresses Prom Dress Elegant Blue Gowns
Black Red Pink Night Maxi 1930s Vintage Dresses
|
