When people think about the 1930’s they immediately think about The Great Depression. Although the Wall Street stock market crash left millions of people in a financial tailspin, let it be clear – there was nothing depressing about the fashion of the 1930s. 1930s fashion was a rejection of the excesses of 1920s fashion.

1930s womens fashion saw the ditching of the boyish, flapper look of the Jazz Age with more genteel, ladylike fashions. Elegant dresses inspired by the cross cut bias method of innovative French designer Madeleine Vionnet took off. 1930s mens fashion was heavily inspired by celebrity figures like Clark Gable and Prince Edward VIII. For a time, men began to get rid off their undershirts inspired by a Clark Gable movie.

1930s fashion also saw some important innovations within beach fashion. Recognizing the larger numbers of people going to the beach, fashion designers helped make swimwear more comfortable and practical. Backs were scooped out of 1930’s womens fashion swimsuits to allow their backs to be tanned. 1930s fashion is also notable for the production of a new clothing material – nylon. To discover more about this overlooked period of fashion history, check out our other articles about 1930s fashion.