1. Fashion History Continued
The 1930s & 1940s
Fashion History Continued

2. Overview Historical Overview of the 1930s & 1940s
What defines these decades’ fashion?
Women’s Fashion
Men’s Fashion
Important Movements of the time
Fashion Icons and Designers
1930s & 1940s fashion today

3. What was happening during the 1930s & 1940s?
Two major events define these decades: The Great Depression ( ) and WWII ( )
Prohibition ends (1933)
The Dust Bowl begins (1934)
Spanish Civil War begins (1936)
Architectural feats are finished (Hoover Dam, Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore)
First Commercial Flight over Atlantic (1939)
A lot of technological advancements- (microwave oven, VW Beetle, first computer, polaroid cameras,
Atomic bomb is tested (1945)
United Nations in founded (1945)

4. How do we describe fashion of the 1930s & 1940s?
Longer silhouette, more feminine shape
Simpler, more functional
Utilitarian, yet chic

6. Women’s Fashion
Fashion was still quite glamourous in the 30s & 40s just in a different way.
Shift back to longer hemlines, natural shape, nipped in waistline
Focus on the shoulder, with shoulder pads becoming popular
Skirts were narrow and widened below the hip with the use of godets
Fur stoles were wardrobe staples
Attire for working women such as bolero jacket, cardigans (casual chic)
Eveningwear was elegant, dresses were clingy and bias cut
Hats: the snood
We see wedge heels for the first time
By the mid 40s, dresses started to be more colourful
The end of the decade included the New Look, a cinched waist and full skirt. Hello 1950s!
Fashion inventions- the zipper and nylon. Fashion was becoming more accessible and comfort was important as women’s roles were changing.

9. Men’s Fashion All about the “athletic build” or the “superman” look.
Double-breasted suits with extra broad shoulders, thin waists, and tapered legs
Very wide lapels
Zoot suit (exaggerated suit)
Large, beefy overcoats
High-waisted, wide legged pants
A lot of military/uniform inspired looks
Also, fitted sweaters, sweater vest, vests
Boys wore shorts and tall socks
Ties were more popular than bowties
Oxford shoes are still popular
suspenders

11. Popular Art and other movements…
Rise of Film and Cartoons (Wizard of Oz, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, release of Bugs Bunny)
Release of “War of the Worlds” causes panic
The world of film and radio is very important during the depression and time of war; people wanted to escape
Communism panic is building in US and abroad
Surrealism: subconscious creativity, liberating the creative mind, innovative, bizarre, not bound by rules

12. Fashion Icons Marlene Dietrich (rocked a tuxedo, truly an individual)
Vivian Leigh (the “it” girl, designers loved her, a true movie star
1930s
Greta Garbo
(androgynous,
elegance,
practicality)
Bette Davis
(feminist icon, relatable)

13. Rita Hayworth (androgynous, The new “workwear” Joan Crawford
Grace Kelly
(feminine,
classy,
elegant)
Joan Crawford
(power dressing,
Hollywood Royalty)
Doris Day
(popularized daywear,
especially nautical)

14. Fashion Designers Shoulder pads Wrap dresses Invented godets
Elsa Schiaparelli
Madeleine Vionnet
Shoulder pads
Wrap dresses
Invented godets
Bias-cut dresses
Minimized darting, “hugged” female form
Closed business in 1939 due to wartime hardships

15. Created the “New Look”, this propelled fashion changes in the 1950s
Christian Dior
Pierre Balmain
Created the “New Look”, this propelled fashion changes in the 1950s
Worked with Dior, helped created the “New Look”
He believed that “dressmaking is the architecture of movement”.

16. What examples of 1930s & 1940s fashion can we see in our modern fashion?

17. Works Cited:
1930s Fashion: Famous Designers & The Return of Femininity
1930s Fashion: A Decade In Style Demonstrated By 13 Iconic Beauties
1940s Fashion: The Decade Captured In 40 Beautiful Pictures
1930s Men’s Fashion Guide
1930s Timeline
1940s Timeline
Famous Designers of the 1940s
Fashion in the 1940s
How to Dress 1940s Style