top of page

Great innovations in fashion were seen during the Depression despite the economic hardships of the time. The abbreviated, linear forms of the 1920s quickly gave way to sinuous shapes and longer hemlines. Waistlines returned to the natural position, while remaining relaxed in fit. Designers experimented with new cuts and new materials. For evening, the bias cut gown was favored (as created by Madeleine Vionnet) in silk velvet or silk satin. Synthetic fabrics such as rayon and nylon were in common use for everyday garments.

After 1935, zippers were employed as a more efficient alternative to labor-intensive hook-and-eye closures. Indeed, in the hands of prestigious houses such as Schiaparelli they became design elements. Costume jewelry, popularized by Chanel’s signature faux pearl strands, became an accessory staple. By 1938, small shoulder pads had become fashionable, heralding the shoulder emphasis of the 1940s. This, in spite of the Depression, was another grand era for Haute Couture. Lanvin, Molyneux, Mainbocher, Patou and Maggy Rouff all had active fashion houses as did Vionnet, Chanel and Schiaparelli.

The movies influenced how women dressed and what they thought about fashion. It was not uncommon for designers such as Gilbert Adrian and Irene to make their names in Hollywood’s film industry. Women clamoured to look like their screen idols. This desire prompted many Hollywood couturiers to produce clothing for the mass market via department stores or their own collections. The Hollywood phenomenon also spread to Europe. Exemplified by the white satin bias cut dresses as worn by Jean Harlow, the Hollywood look featured dramatic lines that played best to camera. The full length garden party dress with picture hat, the striking wool suit with portrait fur collar, the grand negligee – these were all part of the Hollywood in the 1930s look as well.

Written by The Vintage Fashion Guild

1930 Ruth Reeves

1930 Lanvin

1930s Chanel Label

1931

1931

1931

1931

1931

1931 Callot Souers

1931 Patou

1931 Poiret

1931 Fortuny

1931 Fortuny

1931 Fortuny

1931 Lanvin

1932

1932 Vionnet

1932 Vionnet

1932 Vionnet back

1932 Elsa Schiaparelli

1932 Fortuny

1932 Elizabeth Hawes back

1932 Boue Souers

1932 Chanel

1932 Vionnet

1932 Patou

1933

1933

1933 Elizabeth Hawes

1933 Elizabeth Hawes

1933 Vionnet

1933 Chanel

1933 Norman Hartnell

1933 Mainbocher

1933 Vionnet

1933 Lanvin

1933 Jesse Franklin

1933 Elsa Schiaparelli

1933 Vionnet

1933 Poiret back

1934

1934 Hartnell

1934 Carole Lombard

1934 Vionnet

1934 Vionnet

1934 Lanvin

1934 Vionnet

1934 Valentina

1934 Valentina

1934 Chanel side

1934 Valentina

1934 Elizabeth Hawes

1934 Travis Banton

1934 Vionnet

1934 Vionnet

1934 Charles James

1935 Madame Gres

1935 Madame Gres

1935 Madame Gres

1935 Lanvin

1935 Elsa Schiaparelli

1935 Vionnet

1935 Vionnet

1935 Vionnet

1935 Henri Bendel

1935 Worth

1935 Prince Tirtoff

1935 Worth back

1935 Vionnet

1935 Elsa Schiaparelli

1935 Valentina

1935 Bergdorf Goodman

1935 Elizabeth Hawes

1935 Elizabeth Hawes

1935 Vionnet

1935 Lanin

1936

1936 Elizabeth Hawes back

1936 Vionnet

1936 Elizabeth Hawes

1936 Maggie Rouff

1936 Norman Norell

1936 Vionnet

1936 Hattie Carnegie

1936 Vionnet

1936 Vionnet

1936 Vionnet

1936 Valentina

1936 Charles James

1936 Elizabeth Hawes

1936 Schiaparelli

1937 Chanel

1937 Lanvin

1937 Poiret

1937 Lanvin

1937 Madame Gres

1937 Jesse Franklin

1937 Elsa Schiaparelli

1938 Mainbocher

1938 Elsa Schiaparelli

1938 Evening Dresses for Vogue Steichen, Edward Steichen

1938 Madame Gres

1938 Pittrohf fashion illustration

1939 Edward Molyneux

1939 Charles James

1939 Elsa Schiaparelli

bottom of page