The golden age of Hollywood turned up the evening glamour in the 1930s. Sleek bias cut evening gowns made of satin, lace, velvet or silk were accented with sparkling white paste jewelry and silver dancing shoes. They were topped with long fur coats or capes. In Hollywood, the look was an over the top dramatic show but at home, simplicity was affordably elegant. Look at these ’30s gowns:
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- Satin evening gowns and jewelry
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- Lanvin 1937 gown and long fur wrap
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- 1931 velvet evening dress with paste brooch at the shoulder
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- 1930 Mrs. F. Lammot Belin, fur coat
For your 1930s evening attire consider just one or two accessories. Let the gown speak for itself with:
Hairstyles: Marcel waves in the early 30s moved into full curly styles with hair brushed to the back or sides in the middle years and then gathered up to the crown in the late 30s. Keeping hair off the face but framed at the sides was the goal.
Hair Accessories: A pretty rhinestone hair clip in a star, moon or sunburst shape was trendy for a few years. Hair combs or bobby pins held hair back on the sides.
1931 hair comb
Gloves: Optional. Black, white or a color matching dresses that fit loose and came up to the mid-arm. Wear one or many bracelet over the glove if you expect to leave them on for a long time. Shop gloves.
Shoes: Mary Jane, T-strap, silver sparkling heels with 2-3 inch height. Wide strap sandals in silver, white or black came in vogue at the end of the decades. Avoid open toe sandals. Shop shoes.
1938 silver and black T Strap evening shoes
Stockings: Sheer nude back seam stockings. Shop stockings.
Wraps: For Old Hollywood glam bring out the huge white fur wraps. Short or long metallic, satin, or velvet capes will also keep your arms covered elegantly. Shop wraps.
Fur evening wrap/coat
1931 hair comb
Bags: A rectangle flat clutch bag in smooth satin or velvet or small purses covered in beading adds a hint of richness and will hold your necessities with grace. Shop bags.
1936 seed bead bags and rayon pouch
Jewelry: Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle! Small white paste and rhinestone earrings. Thin sparkle, pearl or glass bead high necklace. Sparkle brooch on the shoulder or as a belt buckle. Bracelets were the most important. Big, chunky cuffs, multiple bead bracelets, and silver or gold thick bangles fit tightly around the wrist and low arm. Rhinestone tennis bracelets were a smaller yet elegant bracelet style. Shop jewelry.
Learn more about 1930s Old Hollywood fashion gowns and tuxedos for men.
White fur wrap, T strap heels, nude stockings, long white gloves, white clutch bag and rhinestone jewelry (mine are vintage 30s!)
Debbie Sessions has been teaching fashion history and helping people dress for vintage themed events since 2009. She has turned a hobby into VintageDancer.com with hundreds of well researched articles and hand picked links to vintage inspired clothing online. She aims to make dressing accurately (or not) an affordable option for all. Oh, and she dances too.
