Fashion in the 1930s

By: Katie Miller

The Start of the 1930s•At the start of the decade America was in the midst of the Great Depression.

•Lots of boutiques were opening.

•Style was greatly effected-A lot of designers had to trade extreme to simple-Chanel changed how they trimmed ends-Manufactures did anything to make clothing cheaper

The Great Depression

• Since the economy was in the hole everybody was very careful about what they spent.

• Unemployment rose 25%• Everybody was looking for a way to escape

reality ,and fashion was the gate way for some people.

Influence

• Fashion was influence a lot by cost.• There are three main things that influence

cost and they are : material, cut, and decoration.

Materials

• Designers used materials that had previously been over looked

• They used: Cotton, Organdy, Eyelet, Pique, Lace, Corduroy, Boucle Knit, Chintz, Toile, and Artificial Silk

• They also used Patent Leather, Nylon, Rhodophane, and Raccoon fur

Silks

• Artificial silk had it’s first widespread use in lingerie and nightgowns

• Peach synthetic silk was used for slips and other underwear.

Patent Leather

• It was used only for shoes.• Men used patent leather for their two-tone

shoes ( they were the first to have two-tone shoes).

• Women soon started to use patent leather for two-toned high heels.

Unique materials

• Nylon- it was first introduced in 1938• Rhodophane- Schiaparelli used this material

to make glass-like tunics.

Cut

• There were many different types of cuts.• Women wore a dress cut like a slip on the

bias.• Skirt hemlines rose just above the knee.• Short sleeves had puffed shoulders.• Elbow length gloves were worn

Decoration

• Silk flowers were sewn to neckline or waistline of a dress

• Rhinestone set clips• Brooches• Collars and cuffs both were removable• Jabot

• Decorations were very important during this time

• Costume jewelry became popular• Hats were worn everyday• Frills were added at the elbows and neck

Buttons

• Made of wood, cork, plexiglass, and synthetic plastics

• Vogue made novelty buttons• Often resembled baskets of fruits or cigarette

packs • Mainbocher made silver clasp buttons• Rochas made buttons in the shape of open books

• Patou used flower pots, foxes, mermaids, and snake buttons

• Schiaparelli used circus buttons• When WWII was over buttons became more

functional than decorative

Garters

• They invented metal garters in this decade• Most were made out of decorated elastic

Patterns

• Patterns were simple• The barer the dress the more formal it was• Bright shapes of flowers • Plants and leaves• East European embroidery

Day wear

• Women wore a modified shirtwaist dress, straight skirt or a slim suit, with a below the waist length fitted jacket.

Evening wear

• Women wore a dress cut like a slip on the bias

THE END