1930s Fashion & Hairstyles

You can check out some vintage hairstyle and fashion items from the thirties at Fashion-Era.com 

In the 30's the depression meant that there was little extravagance in the design of fashions.

1930s Fashion Trends & Fads

Fashions moved away from the rather daring designs of the 20's and started to look rather more soft and feminine. The boyish looks of the twenties were left behind and the new designs embraced a womans curves.

Popular designers included Elsa Schiaparelli and Madeleine Vionnet created stunning designer collections, incuding those which mirrored the surrealist movement.

Soft corsets and bodices on evening gowns became increasingly popular in the 1930's and halter neck and cowl necklines were really in fashion. Glamour was in with stunning bias cut gowns being introduced for evening wear.

This was the era that saw "fads" such as Betty Boop, Monopoly and Mini Golf.  The Empire State Building was completed in 1931.  Artist Salvador Dali and movie star Marlene Dietrich enjoyed great popularity.

Movies & Glamour

Popular movies included Gone with the Wind (released in 1939), King Kong (1933), Top Hat (1935), Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (1932), The 39 Steps (1935), The Wizard of Oz (1939), Scarface (1932) and Little Women. 

One film star in particular whose fashions were followed avidly was Greta Garbo.  Other stars of the era were Bette Davis & Katharine Hepburn

This era is typified by classic Hollywood glamour , gorgeous designer gowns and hats with dresses that showed off a womans figure .

1930s Hairstyles

With more feminine looks coming in and perms being easier to manage - softer looks with curls were back in.
 

Here's a few images (courtesy of Wikimedia commons) of stars from this era,  from left to right, Tallulah Bankhead, Greta Garbo and Claudette Colbert. 

These pictures are from the early thirties , before the threat of war was on the horizon and life became more uncertain.

Deep waves in the hair were fashionable - always allowing for the addition of the latest must have - a hat.

Hats continued to be popular during this era typified by curving styles with feminine trims.

Toward the end of the decade the snood was popular for holding hair in place while women were now working.

Following the stock market crash of 1929, much of the glamour was only seen on screen idols , whilst the reality was hard times for the ordinary woman.

Key Looks of the Era

Dresses had high waistlines , shoulder pads and were bias cut.

Coco Chanel designed stylish clothes which complemented her own short hair.

Shiaparelli was characterised by bright, strong colours in geometric and designs inspired by Picasso .

Check out these styles on video:-

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