Skills Used: Research, Canva

the ask

Collect a series of images depicting the evolution of fashion from the 1930s to the 1950s. For each image, provide descriptive captions that contextualize the fashion trends within the respective era. Begin each section with an introductory note that connects the fashion trends to significant events and societal changes during that time period. Ensure to cover various categories, including women's daywear and evening wear, menswear, and accessories.

the Process

To reach the final product, research was conducted on fashion trends from the 1930s to the 1950s. Additionally, an exploration of the zeitgeist of each era was undertaken to understand how historical events influenced these fashion trends.

TREND OVERVIEW

• TREND OVERVIEW •

1930’s

Women’s Day Wear

Printed day dresses gained popularity in the 1930s as the use of rayon got more attention. Day dresses were shown in a variety of patterns from floral, to plaid, to polka dots. Small prints were an easy and inexpensive way to add interest to a garment.

Halter tops became popular as loungewear and beachwear gained recognition throughout the 1930s. A halter top is a sleeveless shirt that ties around the back of the neck and features a low back.

During the Great Depression, British tailors that made men's suits started making women's suits called Streamliners. The British tailors did this in order to stay in business during such an economic downturn.

Women’s Evening Wear

Bed jackets were commonly worn in bed over a nightgown. These evening jackets were typically made of lightweight synthetic fabric and any length between the bust and waist.

A dressing gown is a voluminous wrap-around robe that was typically worn in the boudoir–a women's dressing room, bedroom, or private sitting room.

Cellophane became trendy and added sparkle, particularly to evening wear.

Swimming topless for men became more popular in the 1930s, however, for those that weren't comfortable with that often wore "the topper". This swimsuit featured a top and trunks which were connected with the use of a zipper on the waistline.

Menswear

For skiing, men often wore knickers or loose pants that were gathered at the ankle and knit sweaters. Additionally, they wore jackets either buttoned or zip-front in wool, military styles, or anorak styles.

Mens formal wear was dominated by the dark evening tuxedo. This look often featured a black single or double-breasted jacket, a white button-down, black trousers, and a black bow tie. The look would typically be modified, featuring a white jacket with dark trousers, on warm nights or in a resort area.

Accessories

Fedora hats were popular for both men and women in the 1930s. Fedoras can be described as soft felt hats with a tapered crown and center crease, a pinched front, and a sharp brim.

In 1932, bras with cup sizes were introduced. These brassieres with cup sizes became the most important contribution to undergarments in the 1930s.

Heeled oxfords were a practical everyday women's shoe that remained popular from the Great Depression throughout WWII. Heeled oxfords can be defined as a low-cut shoe laced over the instep and feature a cuban heel that was ideal for walking.

1940’s

Women’s Day Wear

Womanalls, or women's overalls, became popular during WWII as Rosie the Riveter, a role model to women, was shown wearing them. The womanalls were created for working women as they aimed to not attract the male gaze. They feature a top and pants all in one, with the legs being overtly oversized.

Suits became increasingly popular among women and often featured simple jackets with skirts that were either pencil-thin or had little fullness to them. The jackets had a masculine style to them as they displayed a boxy shape. During WWII, limitations were set on the use of wool by order L-85 but after the war, wool became commonly used in suits.

Slacks during the 1940s made women feel like an object of interest. Women often liked wearing them because of the image of Rosie the Riveter. Slacks were cut with wide legs and a high waist, and featured a side or back closure. Slacks were worn more for leisurewear compared to overalls and coveralls.

The Princess/Eugene silhouette was highlighted in evening dresses as the garments were often strapless, by means of the uplift bra being created. Furthermore, designs often featured a fitted bodice with a full skirt.

Women’s Evening Wear

The Bar Suit was invented by Christian Dior as part of the "New Look" and quickly became a popular afternoon-evening dressing option. The Bar Suit contained a silk shantung jacket with a peplum skirt and a full circle pleated skirt. The hourglass figure that the suit portrayed, brought back the small waist of the Victorian Era.

Peplum was one of the most popular trends included in both day and evening wear and was an easy and economical addition of fabric to a suit or a dress. Peplum can be defined as a flared skirt attached to a jacket that is pleated or gathered at the hem.

During the 1940s, men's sweaters became sleeveless and more form- fitting due to the rationing efforts of WWII. Furthermore, sweater vests were often only worn with a button-down shirt.

Menswear

Many adult men were deployed for WWII during this time which meant much of what they wore was their uniform. Due to the lack of adult male consumers, manufacturers mainly made clothes for older men and youth.

Zoot Suits were popularized by young Hispanic and Black men from the 1930s to the end of WWII. Zoot Suits featured jackets with wide shoulders and lapels, high-waisted slacks, and a long dangling key chain.

The Heidi was one of the "victory hairstyles" promoted by Veronica Lake for women in the workforce. It was important for women to keep their hair up while working so it didn't get stuck in machines. The Heidi hairstyle was achieved by parting one's hair down the middle from front to back, braiding it, then pulling it to the top of the head and pinning it.

Accessories

The Victory Roll was another popular hairstyle of the 1940s. It was a fancier hairstyle that was more appropriate for the evening. The Victory Roll can be characterized by a perfect coil that was made with the use of an oval metal accessory that rolled into the hair. The look was often created at a beauty parlor as opposed to at home.

Because of shortages and restrictions on hosiery, women would often draw a black seam down the center of each leg to achieve the look of stockings. This became known as liquid stockings and the trend soon became so popular that local department stores offered to have it applied by professionals. After WWII, the trend went away as silk and nylon stockings returned.

1950’s

Shirtwaist dresses were common for casual daytime dressing. The dresses were often made with cotton or other synthetic fibers. The dress resembles a men's button-up shirt, as it features a collar and buttons from the neck to the waist. In particular, many dresses featured a Peter Pan collar that was previously seen in children's wear.

Women’s Day Wear

The Sack dress became a popular style towards the middle end of the 1950s and was introduced by Balenciaga. The Sack was a waistless chemise dress that was considered shocking to the 1950s women as they were used to the corseted look of the New Look. The silhouette of The Sack set the stage for the 1960s.

During the 1950s, full and narrow skirts coexisted. For the more slender silhouette, fitted blouses were often tucked into pencil skirts, and then accessorized with wide belts and stilettos. Because narrow skirts were so long and lean, many featured vents or slits, typically in the back, to enable the wearer to walk.

Cocktail dresses were the most important innovation of the time and were worn during cocktail hour, Cocktail dresses were often made of taffeta or stiffened silk. The bubble hem was popular among these dresses as well (as pictured above).

Women’s Evening Wear

During this decade, fuller silhouettes were most common in evening wear. The dresses were typically long, dramatic, and used a lot of fabric. They celebrated the opulence of the time and portrayed the luxurious fabrics of the era.

Evening coat styles were typically flared to full proportions and often incorporated fabrics of satin, taffeta, moiré faille, and shantung.

The gray flannel suit replaces the morning suit for business attire in the 1950s. The jackets were longer and overall the suits for work become more understated.

Menswear

Sportswear for men becomes very popular in the 1950s. Sports coats were often worn with either khaki pants or trousers, that were both pleated and cuffed, or shorts.

Colorful madras fabric became a main export from India in 1950 used by both men and women for daywear and summer attire. Madras is a fabric of vegetable-dyed cotton yarns that are hand-woven in large, bold checks.

Stilettos are high, narrow, nail-like heels that were originated in Italy. These heels were made of nylon and plastic covering a steel core. This shoe was damaging to both the wearer and the floors. Buildings started to prohibit them as the heel would get between the cracks of the tile and lift up the grout.

Accessories

The pork pie hat is a classic snap-brim men's hat that is flat on the top with a crease around the edge of the crown. The hat is most often made with fabric, straw, or felt.

The makeup worn in the 1950s reflected the Victorian-era ideal of porcelain skin. Furthermore, black liquid eyeliner, particularly in the form of a wing, and red lipstick completed the look.