1930s Coats and Jackets History

Women’s 1930s coats were shaped to follow the natural curves of the female body — a change from the oversized boyish figure of the 1920s.  Waists were defined with belts or tapered cuts on princess lines. The hemlines dropped to just above the ankle after 1931, and gradually moved up to the knee by the 1940.  Oversized round fur collars topped most coats, just as they did in the 1920s.  Military details, influenced by Schiaparelli’s soldier collection, appeared in the form of epaulettes and padded shoulders in the middle years. Oversized pagoda sleeves and some leg o’ mutton shaped shoulders emerged in the middle years too.  As hemlines shortened, coat skirts widened and the swagger back loosened up into the hourglass silhouette.

Early 1930s coats

There were a few different categories of women’s 1930s coats and casual jackets. Dress coats were the prettiest and richest looking with large fur collars.  Sport coats were man-ish with large peak lapels, wide belts, and fabric patterns.  Raincoats were similar to sport coats but in showerproof materials.

Casual jackets topped many spring dresses, as well as fitted blazer type jackets worn with skirts or layered over dresses. The all-fur short jacket was the epitome of classy style for the first half of the decade. Leather and suede sporty aviator style jackets were ideal in spring. The luxurious bunny fur jacket was one style to cross over from day to night.

All of these 30s coat styles and more are showcased in this roundup of 1930s coats and jacket images.

1930s Dress Coats

Every woman had a nice dress coat. If she could afford one with a large round fur collar or a faux fur collar stole, she was fashionable in all kinds of weather.  Non-fur collar dress coats included the boxy coat, swagger coat, wrap coat, and swing coat/princess coat.

Fur collar coats

Fur Coats

All fur coats were very expensive and weren’t often sold in the cash poor Depression Era, yet they were available in soft medium length furs and faux furs. Black was the best choice, followed by tan colored furs.  They mimicked the same shapes as other dressy coats, top coats, swagger coats, wrap coats, and box coats. At the end of the decade, the fur trim coat was a charming new addition.

The wearing of fur pieces or whole animal stoles was still common in the early 1930s. It was a more affordable way to add fur to plain coats.

Wrap Coats

Wrap coats with overlapping panels and a tie belt lost popularity in the 1930s. The few that survived could either be made in a sport style or a dressy style. Some version used a wide slide buckle belt instead of the traditional tie.  They started to come back in fashion in the last year or two of the thirties.

Swing Coats

As hemlines shortened and skirts became a little fuller, the swing coat was born. From the front it was still a slim coat, with only a slightly fuller skirt around calf length. In the back, however, extra panels added volume so that the coat had a swinging action when a woman walked.  Swing coats referred only to the skirt — the upper body could be a polo, princess, reefer or other classic belted dressy or sport winter coat. Swing coats are often mixed up with beltless swagger coats, which we will discuss a bit later.

Princess Coats

Besides the fur collar coat, the princess coat was the next in line for most iconic to the late ’30s. It featured a high button up front with a wide belt, large fold out collar, and a puff shoulder sleeve. The skirt was A-line when paired with the swing style.

Sport Coats

Sport coats differed from dressy coats through the use of textured fabric and collar treatment. Sport coats had very wide menswear style notch or peak lapel collars that could be flipped up and around the neck. Fabrics could be textured, in suiting patterns, or big prints like plaid. Tweed, checks, and herringbone in brown, tan, or blue were common.

Polo coat

Polo coats were the most popular sport coat. They had military accents such as button on the cuffs, epaulets, and belt back. They were usually not belted. They were a precursor to the trench coat as we know it today.

Reefer coats

Reefer coats became trendy with the young teen and collage girls in the late 1930s. They combined the wide lapels of the polo coat and high collar of the princess coat with a double row of 3 buttons on the torso, topped with a belt. Solid colors with contrasting buttons were equally as popular as sporty plaid, tweed, check, and herringbone fabrics.  By 1938, the reefer diversified into a style with only two side by side buttons and no belt — a style which was to dominate the 1940s market.

Swagger coat

Swagger coat. What a fun name for a new coat invention. The inverted pleat back on the swagger coat gave it plenty of volume and “swing” while the front lacked buttons or belts. A single button at the neck was all it needed to stay in place. It was ideally worn in spring, with a light weight cloth that had more movement. In winter, it could be made of heavier cloth in shorter stroller lengths.

Stroller Coat

Spring coats, usually sold with matching suits and dresses, were straight and boxy instead of curvaceous like most winter overcoats.

Stroller coats referred to the length of a coat. They could come in the swagger style with a single neck button or with several buttons down the front. Lengths varied from thigh to knee.

Raincoats

Early 1930s raincoats resembled men’s trench coats or polo coats with bold check patterns in neutral tan-brown colors.

A new form of colored rainwear was made of Philofilm, a clear rubber resembling vinyl that was used to make transparent colored rain coats, hooded caps, and umbrellas. Read more about vintage rain coats here.

1930s Jackets for Women

The sports jacket or casual jacket emerged in the 1920s but took off in the 1930s.  They were worn with dressy suits, separates, casual sport clothes, and sometimes evening attire.

1937 short jacket with fur collar

Blazer Jackets

Traditional menswear sportscoats were paired down into blazer type jackets for women. They fit snug through the waist and over the hips. Both single breasted and double breasted jackets were worn in bold solid color or plaid patterns. The velvet “tuxedo” jacket was one fabric that could cross over from day to night.

1939 blazer jackets

Leather Jackets

Leather and suede jackets took inspiration from aviator flight jackets.  Amelia Earhart was hero to many women, and her clothes were copied into women’s mainstream looks.  Most leather jackets were short hip-length polo coats with wide lapels, a belt, and two flap pockets.

Sport Jackets

More women’s jackets were copied from men’s casual jackets and slimmed down into feminine proportions. The zip up bomber jacket became the ladies’ crop jacket with either a banded waist hem or cinched buckles on the sides (Cossack style).

Mackinaw Jackets

Winter outdoor jackets continued to favor the mackinaw jacket. Like leather jackets, they were essentially the shape of a hip length polo coat with a belt, and always in a bold plaid or blanket-cloth wide stripes. Many ski jackets also followed the mackinaw shape or the zip sport jacket.

1937 mackinaw jackets

Fur Jackets

Short fur jackets with oversized collars, a wrapover front, and a small belt or covered button was a classy (and sporty) piece to wear in the early ’30s. It paired equally well with a smart suit or an elegant evening gown.  Tan, grey, or black with white trim were the color choices. “Bunny fur” was the softest and most affordable fur, dyed to look like expensive furs.

Dress Jackets

Many spring dresses were sold with a matching light jacket that hovered around the top of mid hip. They were worn draped over the shoulders, exposing the dress bodice.

1930s Style Coats and Jackets

Today many long vintage-style overcoats are back in style. So are short crop jackets and leather moto jackets. Many of these will make acceptable ’30s coats and jackets for vintage-inspired outfits.  The fur collar coats remains elusive, so I recommend purchased a separate fur collar (vintage) and attaching it to a regular coat.

Here are the coats and jackets I found that have a 1930s look:

Forest Green Velvet Great Gatsby Dress - Floor length flapper Dress Cocoon coat

£35.00

1950s Style Classic Fashion Rain Mac True Vintage Style In Natural Semi Transparent

Dikoaina Womens Winter Fake Faux Fur Scarf Wrap Collar Shawl Shrug

$152.15

Vintage inspired Mary Poppins coat Blue wool coat Long wool coat Winter coat women Wool coat women Double breasted wool coat 1685#

Velvet Circular Cut Half Cloak Capelet Lined in Satin with Two-Button Clasp

Zeagoo Womens Trench Coats Double-Breasted Long Coat with Belt

Vintage Inspired Blue Long Wool Coat Women Winter Coat Fit and Flare Coat Double Breasted Coat Princess Coat Custom Coat Xiaolizi 3127

$329.00

Victorian Coat Princess Coat Black Wool Coat Plus Size Clothing Fit and Flare Coat Gothic Clothing Double Breasted Coat Maxi Coat

Walker and Hawkes Womens Derby Tweed Shooting Country Jacket

1940s Dark Blue Wool Princess Coat Double-breasted Long Wool Coat Mod Maxi Coat Winter Coat Women Swing Coat Stylish Wool Coat 1971

Handmade Emerald Green Velvet robefaux fur collar old Hollywood robeglamour robe1920sLuxuryGift for herBoudoirWeddingBurlesque.

De La Creme Womens Wool Cashmere Long Winter Coat

Zeagoo Womens Double-Breasted Long Trench Coat with Belt

£175.00

Collectif Womenswear Marisol Coat - 18

£150.00

Collectif Womenswear Eileean Coat Navy - UK 22 Navy

£200.00

Collectif Womenswear Jackie Coat - UK 22 Green

£200.00

Collectif Womenswear Nuit Quilted Velvet Swing Coat - UK 22 Black

£155.00

Bright And Beautiful Maria Plain Coat - UK 16 Cream

SeekMe Womens Long Sleeve Velvet Shrug for Dress Open Front Cropped Bolero Cardigan

Green Wool Coat Long Maxi Wool Coat Women Warm Winter Coat Double Breasted Coat Long Belted Coat Wool Trench Coat Mod Clothing 3214

Blush Velvet Robe -1920’s-Old Hollywood style-handmade robe- blush velvet-Full length robe -faux fur collar cuffs and hem.

$175.00

Black Wool Coat Mary Poppins Coat Vintage Inspired Coat Long Wool Coat Removable Capelet Coat Women Coat Xiaolizi Stylish Coat 2907

De La Creme Single Breasted Detachable Fur Hood Wool Winter Trench Winter Coat

Christmas Ugly Cardigans for Women Open Front Xmas Velvet Jacket Coat Long Sleeve Flowy Hem Cardigan

Black Wool coat Women‘s Double-breasted Wool princess coat Winter warm swing wool coat Stylish coat Vintage inspired wool coat 3220#

£175.00

Monsoon Opal Opera Coat in Wool Blend

Cornflower Blue silk velvet coat

1940s Vintage Style Coat in Peacock Green Velvet

£85.00

Collectif Womenswear Zuri Jacket - UK 16 Black White

£230.00

Collectif Womenswear Pearl Coat Black White - 22 Black White