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The Great Depression Era
1930’s fashion
was greatly influenced by the infamous Wall Street Crash and the subsequent depression that swept the globe. Fashion trends were changing dramatically, but less and less ready-to-wear garments were being sold. During this time in fashion history, reckless spending was frowned upon - clothing was mended repeatedly and women took to home sewing with increasing fervour.
The boyish women’s fashion trends of the twenties were replaced with a softer, more feminine style. 1930’s women’s fashion saw the dramatic drop of the hemline to the ankle, where it firmly remained until the decade had ran its course. Dramatic darts were replaced with soft gathering and dress waists returned to follow the natural waistline. Hips were minimised and small waists accentuated by moderately full skirts, while dress bodices were designed to include inset pieces and yokes. Plunging necklines were given great attention in the shape of ruffled collars and scalloped edges.
Skirts were more detailed and upper skirt yokes made its first appearance in a v-shape that ran from the one hip to the middle of the yoke and then continued to the opposite hip. Layers and ruffles were introduced, mostly in tiers, while the skirt bottom was accentuated with gathers and pleats.
This is one of the eras in women’s fashion history when the entertainment industry exerted more influence than ever. Going to a movie was one of the only affordable means of escapism left to a populace in dire circumstances. Evening wear, especially styles and accessories, were now endorsed with movie star recommendations. One of the most popular formal styles was the empire-line gown. The dress was normally adorned with puff- or butterfly sleeves. Hemlines remained at the ankle and if a formal touch was required a train was added. Further adornment took the shape of fabric flowers, bows and peplums which were placed at the neckline, shoulder or waist.
Fur was very popular in the 1930’s and was worn both during the day and at night time. The pelts that were most in demand included sable, mink and chinchilla and it was worn as capes, coats, wraps, stoles and dress trimmings. Women’s leisure wear gave a nod to men’s fashion trends. Suits, slacks and leather jackets became popular, while the cloche was replaced with an angled beret.
Shoes came in all shapes and sizes. This includes rounded toes, pumps, flats, ankle-straps, thick heels, moderate heals, slip-ons, lace-ups, buckles and spectator/two-tone styles. Handbags retained their twenties flavour initially (beaded, enamelled), but eventually gave way to a leather craze.
Technology had develope
d to a point where
washable, easy-care fabrics were made available to the public. Up until this point man-made fibres were designed to look and feel like natural fibres; now it was unabashedly synthetic. Nylon was successfully synthesized by the DuPont de Nemours Company in 1935 and was introduced in the form of stockings in 1939 after which its fashion debut was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II.
1930’s men’s fashion history saw the advent of snob appeal. Manufacturers had already realised that by continuously introducing new fashion trends they could get women to spend money on clothing more frequently, but this principle had not been applied to men’s fashion until now. Undershirts became instantly unfashionable when Clarke Gable took off his shirt in a movie to reveal a bare chest. Single-breasted jackets and plaid prints were replaced by plainer, double-breasted jackets.
The 1930’s saw much improvement in mass production techniques, with the result that a wider scope of consumers now had access to fashionable attire. However, when
