1930s Menswear Clothing Ideas

America entered the 1930s in a somber mood. The 1929 Wall Street Crash had devastating results, leading to the Great Depression with more than 11 million unemployed.

As such, men’s fashion during the ‘30s couldn’t help but be influenced by the wider economic climate. While the ‘20s were roaring, the ‘30s were more muted. Of course, style always wins out and that’s just what happened.

Here is a selection of my favorite 1930s menswear clothing ideas for the dashing man about town.

 1930s Menswear: Suits you, Sir

Early 1930s suits styles

If you’re like me, when you think of the 1930s, you immediately picture a gentleman looking incredibly stylish in a single or  double-breasted wool suit with long broad lapels. The suit was cut to accentuate the athletic, masculine build of a man, with broad shoulders and a nipped-in waist.

Given that the suit was so widely proportioned, a large spearpoint collar was the obvious choice to accompany it. Wool ties became popular during the ‘30s but for this particular look, there’s something very classic about a silk tie, with geometric pattern.

As was fitting for the period, the pants were wide-cuffed, double-pleated and high-waisted. Movie star Clark Gable was famous for wearing pleated pants, adding another dash of visual interest to the front.

To complete the look, a pristine pair of spectator shoes would be worn on the feet and on the head would be a high-crown fedora, pulled down over the face like Private Eye, Dick Tracy.

This look is an absolute classic and so simple to replicate in the modern day.

If you’re interested in reading more about 1930s suits, two famous styles were the Broadway (favored by those sharply-dressed gangsters) and the London drape cut (as worn by the aforementioned Mr. Gable, along with Gary Cooper, Cary Grant and other Hollywood heroes). Learn more about 1930s mens suit styles here. 

1930s Men’s Suit Outfit Idea- Combine a patterned suit,  white point collar shirt, fedora hat, geometric tie and two tone shoes. A wood cane is a dashing accessory.

1930s Indianan Jones: Feeling Adventurous 

1930s mens leather coats and jackets

If you had to pick the ultimate 1930s male hero, surely it would be the intrepid adventurer, Indiana Jones as portrayed by the handsome Harrison Ford. Although originally made in the 1980s, the movies were set in the ‘30s.

Howard Hughes (1930s)

Indiana’s signature look was of course the A-2 style leather flying jacket, paired with a bush shirt (similar to a guayabera), wool pants and fedora hat.

Looking through 1930s catalogs, horsehide leather jackets positively jumped off the page. There’s something about a leather jacket that simply oozes style. The A-2 was a military jacket that was issued to American soldiers during the 1930s. Like lots of military wear, the style was keenly adopted by civilians.

The bush shirt pairs well with the leather jacket. Quite functional in style, with four patch pockets to the front, they can still be acquired quite easily today. Grey or brown wool pants complete the look.

Aviator, filmmaker and entrepreneur Howard Hughes was also known to wear such an outfit, as played by Leonardo DiCaprio in 2004’s The Aviator.

1930s outfit or costume for Howard Hughes or Indiana Jones

1930s Men’s Summer Suit – Epitome of summer 

Lowell Thomas, circa 1930 white suit palm beach style

The iconic 1930s summer suit was the ‘Palm Beach’. Palm Beach cloth (a blend of mohair and cotton) was first  introduced in 1911 and by 1923, it was produced in more than 140 colors and patterns. However, it was the pristine white version that became synonymous as the Palm Beach suit, taking a lead role in advertising campaigns.

“Fabric patented”, slogans promised that it “holds its shape”, “sheds dirt” and “wears marvelously”.

1937 Palm Beach fashion display

Adopted by Wall Street businessmen as their uniform of choice on sweltering days, it took style cues from the wool suit mentioned earlier, sporting high lapels, closing on two buttons and ventless.

A bow tie would set off the Palm Beach suit very nicely, along with saddle shoes and a slightly-battered Panama hat positioned precariously at a rakish angle.

Although rare examples of the Palm Beach suit do appear, they are often incredibly expensive. A white seersucker or linen suit is the affordable alternative, and like the Palm Beach, it’s very cool in hot conditions.

1930s summer menswear ideas

1930s Men’s Casual Sporty Clothing

A Letterman or varsity sweater is the focus of mens casual sporty fashion (and women too!)

Much like American students of today, the 1930s incumbents enjoyed sporting the most up-to-date styles of the time.

Regularly playing sports meant that they needed something slightly more casual and relaxed.

A Letterman cardigan (or plain short sweater) is the probably one of the most well-known college fashions. It’s a classic item of clothing, and practical too. Worn with a button-down dress shirt, wool tie and that all-important dab of pomade to the hair, your 1930’s student style is complete. Well, almost.

1930s polo coats

Spending time walking around the campus or watching a college football game, you need something to wrap up in and keep you warm. That’s where the polo coat came in. Usually made of camel hair boasting peaked lapels, with turn-back cuffs and a cinch in the back; the polo coat is as iconic as the Letterman, but much more sought-after by menswear enthusiasts.

The beauty of the polo coat is its ability to be dressed up or down, making it a true winner in the style stakes.

1930s mens casual sporty collage fashion – A cable knit V neck sweater is worn over a white dress shirt, patterned tie, wide leg pants and black wingtip shoes. 

1930s Men’s Smart Separates 

1930s mens style inspiration. Classic navy blazer with white pants oozes 1930s summer fashion.

Another summer classic is the navy blazer and cream pants. Paired with a simple white shirt, striped tie and a pair of black oxfords, it is the ideal outfit to attend a garden party or linger by the yachts as you breathe in some fresh sea air.

An outfit like this calls for a straw boater, with colorful ribbon. Perhaps even a silver topped cane for cutting a dash.

This is a very versatile ensemble. Simply replace the navy blazer for another color or pattern (glen plaid for example) and you have a different look. Ideal if you’re on vacation and have limited space in your suitcase.

Team a patterned blazer with light pants for a perfect 1930s summer look. Mix and match solids and patterns for more wardrobe diversity.

1930s Mens’ Golf Clothing- Pattern Crazy

Finally, we come to one of my favorite looks. Knitwear was incredibly popular during the 1930s, none more so than the ubiquitous Fair Isle pullover. Add a knitted tie, some plus fours and striking argyle socks and you are set for an afternoon on the golf course.

I love texture and pattern and this look has both by the bucketful. A wide eight panel newsboy cap provides an elegant finishing touch. It also keeps the sunshine out of your eyes on the fairway.

If you can’t get hold of a Fair Isle pullover, a cable knit sweater will work just as well. During the ‘30s, housewives would knit their husband a new sweater. With lots of vintage knitting patterns so widely available, perhaps it’s time you mastered a new skill?

Classic 20s-30s golf knickers, vest, tall socks, flat cap and sport shirt