The 1930s is such an iconic time. Not only because of the Great Depression and World War II but for fashion as well. American women wanted to escape the bleak reality and into glitz and glam. One of the avenues for this escape of reality is fashion.

Fashion Designers of the 1930s made bold experiments with patterns, shapes, fabrics, and styles. The 1930s saw many iconic trends of the era. Exaggerated shoulder pads are one of these trends. The shoulders would be accented in jackets. It created a unique silhouette that drew attention to women’s strength and confidence. Another trend was puffy sleeves. In contrast to the shoulder pads, puffy sleeves created a more feminine and romantic silhouette.

There were three types of dresses most commonly seen in the 1930s. There is the day dress. These were dresses that were worn by women for everyday activities. Day dresses displayed bold patterns that emphasized sophistication. They would hug the figure of who was wearing them, creating a flattering and unique silhouette.

Then, there are house dresses. The purpose of this dress type was for comfort and practical use. These dresses were made from simple fabric that was easy to wash. They were also more loose-fitting than the other dresses in the 1930s. They had wide collars, puffy sleeves, and looser skirts. These design functions allowed women to have more range in their movements. Despite the simplicity of these dresses, they were an icon for elegance and grace.

Lastly, we have the evening dress. These dresses were a symbol of glam. They were made from elegant fabrics such as satin and silk. The skirts of these dresses would touch the floor. The back and sleeves were often low-cut, which was a prompt for scandal. These dresses were commonly worn by Hollywood stars and fashion icons.

There was no other statement piece of the 1930s other than the bolero jacket. It is a cropped and waist-length jack. It could be paired with any dress to create a unique silhouette. Like other women’s clothing from the 1930s, the bolero jacket came in different kinds of fabric, patterns, and details that emphasize the piece. The bolero jacket became popular after it was seen being worn by various Hollywood icons, which made it a desired accessory.

Economic changes in the 1930s made swimming a common pastime for Americans. With the invention of Lastex, swimsuits were easier and more comfortable to wear. It also allowed girdles and light bras to be designed into swimwear to support women. This material was also more comfortable to wear against the skin.

The swimsuits of the 1930s were more revealing. They were cut to show off more leg and skin. The shape of this time period’s swimwear would go on to inspire the shape of today’s modern swimwear.

In earlier decades, women began to wear pants as a sign of rebellion. In the 1930s, social situations began to arise where a woman wearing pants was acceptable. Sportswear for women included pants, overalls, and shorts. Women who worked in factories wore pants because they were much more practical than skirts. Women’s pants were wide-legged and high-waisted. They looked similar to skirts.

Women did wear jeans in the 1930s. There were occasions where women would wear jeans such as horseback riding or tending to a garden. However, women wearing jeans was not a common occurrence because jeans were considered a working-class man’s item.