The 1930s

The Depression reigned the 1930s. The transition from the late 1920s was aided with the stock market crash on Black Tuesday in 1929. Women who previously wore skirts right below the knee saw their hemlines plummet like the stock market to mid-calf. Many Americans looked to Hollywood as a form of escapism from the troubles of the day. Hollywood greatly influenced the look of the American women. Starlettes wore a lot of make-up with red lips and high arched brows. Dresses were low in the back--the new erogenous zone of the time. Many dresses were cut on the bias and had shirring detail. All shoes were high heeled and the overall look was very fussy feminine with an indentation at the waist and accented shoulders.

In the late 1930s as the Depression ended, the hemline rose back to right below the knee. The shoulders started to become larger just as hats were becoming larger as well. A-line skirts began to debut. Decorative clothing began to decrease as World War II started. The women's silouette became more of an hour glass. Also at this time, the zipper, which had been invented in 1895 for industrial purposes, was used for the first time in the construction of apparel.

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