1930-1939 The 'Age of Opulence"

 After the roaring decade of the twenties society calmed down a bit. The 1930's became known as the "age of opulence".  

There was a huge class difference throughout the elite society. 

Clothes went from being flashy and aimed  at the adolescents to elegant and sophisticated. 

                                                                

The arrival of Burtons

meant mass produced menswear for the first time.

As couture fashion was primarily aimed at women this was an almost entirely new concept. 

The other change was the tomboyish figure going out and curves coming back in.

The cinema was introduced in the late 1920's but became fashionable in about 1932 the end of the great depression when people had the money to actually go.

 Silent movies were out, "talkies" were in. As demonstrated in the Oscar winning film " The Artist."

Hollywood made some big films and even bigger stars in the 1930s. Some notable references are the Wizard of Oz which of course made Judy Garland famous.

Clark Gabel and Vivien Leigh   stars of the iconic film Gone With the Wind (1939).

Unrelated to fashion a new fad drew in crowds in the 1930s when  two other iconic figures were made. Two heroes like no others.

Superman was created in 1932 and his associate Batman (and Robin) was created in 1939. These creations in turn created the nerd.

 In 1936 Britain became known for having 3 Kings (on the throne not the nativity). This was because of the complicated matter of George V dying his first son taking over then abdicating the throne causing his younger brother to take over. Its explained better in this.

Edward VIII's abdictaion was due to this woman, Wallis Simpson was  infamous for taking the King away but was also considered a fashion icon in the mid 30's.

 Ms. Simpson always made sure she wore the height of fashion and was (nearly) always praised for her taste.

Godets(inverted circle flares) became used in skirts and dresses below the knee as opposed to the twenties where they were below the hips.

Many designers used aspects from different historical eras in particular the Victorians.

Gloves were worn with day and evening dress emphasizing the elegance of the decade.

In 1939 the fashion industry came to a halt as Germany invaded Poland and began WWII which of course meant that for 6 years society had to cope with make do and mend.