1930s FashionFashion for Women – 1930 George V
Women wore clinging materials such as crepe, georgette, satin, rayons, heavy silks, shantung, jersey, supple woollens, etc. The colours were neutral browns, beige, pinks, etc. They were floral printed fabrics in soft large designs with elaborate cutting, particularly on the bias.
Women wore corsets to control excess weight. The craze was to be tall and slim, with slender hips and a mannish figure with broad shoulders, a small bosom and small bottom. The movement of women was mature and elegant.
The women’s clothes clung to the body with longer hemlines that were flared and dipping at the sides. Picture hats and longer hair were the fashion. Coats were worn of all lengths.
Accessories – Fauntlet suede gloves were fashionable. Matching handbag, shoes and belt were worn. Red or grey fox furs were slung over one shoulder with the head of the fox forming a clasp to hold the back legs. Batik and fine silk scarves were worn around the neck. On the fingers heavy rings were in fashion. Costume jewellery included ear, neck and belt clips. Gem-set wrist watches were popular.
1920s Fashion:
1926 Women’s Fashion - George VFashions in this period were essentially youthful in style. All garments were very similar and uniform in cut – very short hip to knee-length straight skirts and long (often sleeveless) straight tops. The haircuts were boyish short hair and helmet-shaped (cloche) hats. You found two-piece costumes; cardigan coats and jumper sets were very fashionable. There was increased interest in make-up, not natural but mask-like in effect.
The fabrics were thin silks, ninon, foulard, shantung, georgette, voile and lace particularly in black. Heavy tweeds were worn. They used fur trimmings in this period and knitted wear. The colours were black, white, red, beige, fawn, brown, orange, cream, bright blue. The colour combinations were usually harmonic or monochromatic. The decorating was futuristic, geometric or barbaric designs. They were embroidered and made up in beads, or printed or appliquéd to total surfaces or restricted to panels, plaques, etc. Striped and spotted fabrics were popular. Skirts were often composed of a deep silk or bead fringe or floating panels.
Accessories – Envelope handbags (contained amongst other things, cigarette case, and lighter, make-up etc.). They wore deep fringed shawls or ‘Apache’ scarves, tightly wound around the throat with the ends hanging down the back. Fur necklets were worn. Long bead necklaces and drop earrings, crystal necklaces, and slave bracelets were worn at the wrist or around the upper part of the arm.
