Here are the historic fashion design trends of 1932. The
pictures of these vintage dress styles were offered to the readers of the
Ladies Home Journal in May of 1932. Most of the fashions illustrated were for
dress patterns as many women of the Great Depression made their own clothing.
The world, then, was deep into the grip of the Great
Depression. It was a terrible time with a 25 % unemployment rate. People who
did work often had their hours and pay reduced. Others worked harder for less
pay. Tent cities and shanty towns grew in areas around the country where
refugees looked for work. Nearly half the banks in the United States failed, and
withdrawals even at safe banks were often restricted due to the fear of bank runs.
Fashion design moved toward simpler lines to reflect the
simpler lives of the public. However, there was a great interest in the glamour
of the wealthy as well as in the glamour portrayed by Hollywood . People dreamed of the luxurious
past, but lived with a new economic severity.
The magazine displayed the types of clothing that regular
middle class women appreciated. Just like the middle class magazines of later
years, LHJ portrayed the kinds of fashion designs that most women might
actually wear or hope to wear - not the expensive, out of reach costumes of the
more stylish magazines.
Over the top outfits of the Roaring '20's were in mothballs.
Fun, Bohemian inspired clothing trends and extravagant clothing designs went
out with the Stock Market Crash. The party was over. Yet the fashions of the
1930's were attractive and feminine and quite beautiful.
Women's fashion design had taken a turn toward cleaner,
simpler lines that reflected the new austerity of a bad economy. Notice the
limited color featured in the pictures. Magazine ads of the Great Depression
showed far less color than they do today as ink was expensive. Most fashion
illustrations in magazines showed the clothing in sketch form rather than
photographs.
Paris
was the fashion leader of the day and fusionists declared that the public was
in a 'chastened mood,' due to the tanked economy, and no longer wanted
extravagance. Simplicity and straight lines were the order of the day with a
'transition from hysterical luxury' toward a more placid existence.
Recommended popular fabrics included:
As waistlines rose, shoulders broadened with some dresses
and suits featuring shoulder pads. The aim was to slenderize with clean,
straight lines and a neat, tailored cut to dresses. Some designers approached a
'mannish' look to their clothing lines. Diagonal lines were popular with many
of the top fashion designers.
Jackets were short, bolero style in both sportswear and evening wear, though a few suits were shown with longer jackets to slenderize.
The dress patterns offered suggested the appropriate age for
wearing the outfits but most were for ages 14 - 20. After age 20, what was a
gal to wear? No answer to this question was presented.
The wordage used to describe fashion was a bit different in
those days. The word 'frock' was often used instead of the word, 'dress.' And
if the outfit was supposed to be worn for good times and fun, it was referred
to as 'gay.'
Evening gowns were often mentioned. Even middle class
women wore evening gowns back then. A popular look for evening wear was modern
Grecian, a classic, yet romantic look with dresses cut on the bias creating a
sleek elegance.
Dress Design of 1932
Waistlines were up in 1932 as opposed to the previous year's
normal waistlines. Cotton moved from the back porch and was featured in chic
town suits.
- Crepe de chine
- Crepe satin
- Crepe Mongol
- Percale
- Georgette
- Plain and printed chiffon
- Tweeds
In 1932, people wore hats and no ensemble was complete
without one. The season's fashionable hats perched on top of the head and were
accented with the addition of flowers or bows. Hat brims were narrow, turned
down in front and up in the back and worn at a rakish angle.
Jackets were short, bolero style in both sportswear and evening wear, though a few suits were shown with longer jackets to slenderize.
Dress Patterns of the 1930's
The lovely gray outfit at the right looks like a suit but is
a one piece dress with the high waist typical of 1932 fashion design. The red
scarf offers a jaunty note to the clean lines of this attractive frock. Pattern
design by Shiaparelli.
The black dress with a red belt is by Bruyere of tailored
chiffon. The crossed bands accentuate the diagonal, a slenderizing touch.
Notice that both models wear hats, dur rigueur for the well
dressed woman of the time.
The gray dress at right features a loose, draped collar and
a popular new accessory, a soft, crushed scarf. Pattern by Lucille Paray
The red print dress is by Shiaparelli. The
slenderizing bodice and diagonal lines accentuated the clean lines and tubular
look that was prominent in 1932 fashions. Note the smart buttons added as trim.Sportswear of 1932
The 4 sportswear dress patterns on the right were featured
as 'what to wear when you play.' Suggested fabrics were rough surfaced, ribbed,
or nubby.
1) The neckline is high as is the waist. The dress features
an interesting, diagonally closed bodice with large buttons. Notice the flared
sleeves. By Agnes Drecoll.
2) A simulated bolero jacket with short sleeves combines
with box pleats in front to give this dress a jaunty look. By Agnes Drecoll.
3) This attractive suit is great for business, travel, or
street wear. Suggested fabrics include silk jersey, or cotton tweed. Notice the
longer jacket length and the belled sleeves. By Chantal.
4) The tailored look of this outfit with contrasting bodice
and skirt is highlighted by the addition of a scarf that is buttoned down at
the waistline. By Lucile Paray.
Fashion of the Great Depression
The company, Authentic Paris Patterns offered these
attractive fashion designs for dresses made with chiffon.
1) This combination of plain and printed fabrics with cap
sleeves, a rounded neckline, diagonal seams, and the note of ruffle at the side
made this dress both fun and dressy. By Joseph Paquin.
2) This afternoon dress is made of two shades of the same
color fabric with a snug bodice and high waistline. By Agnes Drecoll.
3) A printed chiffon with loose collar and a soft, crushed
belt by Joseph Paquin.
The picture on the right was not presented as a fashion
sketch but as an illustration for a short story.
In 1932, women did occasionally wear trousers for certain
activities though not for day to day wear. The young lady looks quite sporty in
her jodhpurs, one of the only women featured in the magazine to be shown
wearing pants.
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