Women’s fashions during the Depression years returned to the somewhat more conservative style of dress that was known before the “roaring 20s.” The wild, untamed years of the 1920s saw inhibitions fall from women’s fashions as liberation was the tone of the times. When the Depression struck, society returned to a more traditional and feminine look during the 1930s. The hardships of those years, when many suffered, saw skirts return to longer lengths and natural waistlines in clothing prevail.

Fashion in the early 1900s was dictated by the styles in Paris and the “haute coutour” movement as it was known. Long, full skirts with hem lines rising ever so tantalizingly, and the bodice narrowing, ever so gradually, introduced a fuller view of the graceful feminine silhouette than ever before. When the Depression years came, clothing reverted to a more reserved look as to reflect the dreary situation during that time.

The 1930s saw a return from play to work for many American citizens. After the fairly frivolous lifestyle of the 1920s, the Depression years saw a need for more practical clothing as many people returned to a harder lifestyle to survive. They worked when they could, at what they could, and the fashion in those days reflected the need for sensible clothing. The 1930s also saw the first real separation between daywear and eveningwear. Simple skirts and blouses that were easy to move in were the choice of the day during the Depression, when women had more work to do around the home. In the evening, for those special occasions when time and money permitted, fashions made from metallic lame were the sought-after trend, while silk remained the mainstay of Parisian fashions. An improved synthetic rayon fabric rose in popularity during this time, and cotton started to be used in creating more chic clothing designs as well.

Popular thought during the Depression years was urged to be, “Spend what money you have wisely and don’t throw it away on folly.” After the joyful and, some would say, reckless years of the 1920s, women’s fashions suffered a blow in the 1930s as well. Less clothing was manufactured in the 1930s in comparison with the 1920s because of the hard economic times experienced by the country. Collecting vintage clothing from the Depression era is made that much more rare and valuable.

Women yearned for the frivolity and light-heartedness of the fashions from the 1920s. Hence was born the “high style clothing” of the 1930s. Due to the sadness in the era, and hot off the trail of the “roaring 20s” era, it was hard to take – this loss of glamour, excitement, and sex appeal. Hollywood came to the realization that it needed to make spectacular and dazzling movies, with beautifully attired actresses, wearing the glamorous gowns the average American women yearned for. Through movies, they could live the dreams they could no longer live in real life. They could escape the drudgery of surviving day-to-day, if only for a little while.

During the hard times of the Depression years, people needed some fun put back in their lives so they could continue to cope with the everyday pressures of existing. Therefore, the dark days of the 1930s that began with more conservative and traditional clothing, led to some of the most beautiful and dramatic gowns and fashion designer marvels of the day. They brought happiness and hope for better times to everyone who viewed them. Collecting vintage apparel today should be seen through the eyes of understanding – understanding the people living through years that the world seemed turned on its end.

Alana Morgaine
Alana’s Cherished Treasures

Our Vintage Sewing Patterns

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