• Sign up for our weekly vintage fashion newsletter
  • search
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Vintage Dancer

  • Ask the Vintage Dancer!
  • Victorian
    • Women
      • Dresses
      • Skirts
      • Blouses
      • Nightgowns
      • Boots & Shoes
      • Hats
      • Sewing Patterns
      • Makeup & Beauty
      • More clothing….
    • Men
      • Suits & Coats
      • Boots & Shoes
      • Hats
      • Pants
      • Shirts
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • Victorian Outfit Guides
      • Easy Victorian Costume Guide
      • Civil War Costume Guide
      • Bustle Dress Costume Guide
      • Men’s Victorian Clothing Guide
    • Victorian Fashion History
    • Steampunk
      • Women
        • Dresses and Costumes
        • Plus Size Clothing
        • Jackets
        • Skirts
        • Boots & Shoes
        • Hats
        • Sewing Patterns
        • More clothing….
      • Men
        • Shirts
        • Vests
        • Pants
        • Jackets
        • Hats
        • Boots and Shoes
        • Goggles, guns
        • More clothing…
      • Steampunk Costume Guides
        • Women’s Steampunk Essentials
        • Men’s Steampunk Essentials
        • More Steampunk Ideas
  • 1910s
    • Women
      • Shoes & Boots
      • Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Evening Gowns
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Blouses
      • Skirts
      • Hats
      • Makeup & Beauty
      • Costumes
      • Sewing Patterns
    • Men
      • Suits and Coats
      • Formal Wear
      • Shirts
      • Pants
      • Hats
      • Shoes
      • Costumes
      • Men’s Sewing Patterns
    • 1900-1910s Outfit Guides
      • DIY 1910-1915 Dresses
      • Tea Dress Guide
      • Mens Formal Suit Guide
      • Men’s 1910s Fashion
    • 1900s-1910s Fashion History
  • 1920s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Daytime Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Shoes
      • Hats
      • Hair / Headbands
      • Costumes
      • Sewing Patterns
      • More clothing…
    • Men
      • Shoes & Boots
      • Hats
      • Shirts
      • Pants
      • Suits
      • Vests
      • Men’s Patterns
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • 1920s Outfit Guides
      • Flapper Costume Guide
      • Women’s Outfit Ideas
      • Casual Women’s Outfits
      • Men’s Outfit Ideas
    • 1920s Fashion History
  • 1930s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Tops
      • Skirts
      • Pants
      • Shoes
      • Sewing Patterns
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • Men
      • Suits
      • Shirts
      • Pants
      • Shoes
      • Hats
      • Men’s Patterns
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • 1930s Oufit Ideas
      • 1930s Women’s Fashion
      • 1930s Outfit Ideas
      • Men’s Fashion Guide
      • Men’s Outfit Ideas
      • 1930s Men’s Workwear
    • 1930s Fashion History
  • 1940s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Tops
      • Pants
      • Skirts
      • Shoes
      • Sewing Patterns
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • Men
      • Costumes
      • Suits
      • Pants
      • Shirts
      • Shoes
      • Hats
      • Men’s Patterns
      • More clothing…
    • 1940s Outfit Ideas
      • Women’s 1940s Fashion
      • Women’s Outfit Ideas
      • 1940s Fall Winter Outfits
      • Men’s 1940s Fashion
      • Men’s Outfit Ideas
    • 1940s Fashion History
  • 1950s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • House/Day Dresses
        • Cocktail Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Skirts
      • Pants
      • Tops
      • Shoes
      • Makeup Guide
      • Costumes
      • Sewing Patterns
      • More clothing…
    • Men
      • Suits, Coats
      • Pants, Jeans
      • Shirts
      • Jackets
      • Shoes
      • Hats
      • Men’s Patterns
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • 1950s Outfit Ideas
      • Women’s 1950s Fashion
      • Women’s Outfit Ideas
      • Men’s Fashion: Suits
      • Men’s Fashion: Casual
    • 1950s Fashion History
  • 1960s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Pants
      • Skirts
      • Tops
      • Jackets
      • Shoes
      • Makeup & Beauty
      • Costumes
      • Sewing Patterns
    • Men
      • Suits
      • Pants
      • Shirts
      • Jackets, Sweaters
      • Hats
      • Shoes
      • Costumes
    • 1960s Fashion Guides / History
      • 1960s Women’s Fashion
      • 1960s Outfit Ideas (Women)
      • 1960s Mens Outfits
      • 1960s Men’s Fashion, 60s Fashion for Men
  • 1970s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Shirts
      • Pants, Jeans
      • Jumpsuits
      • Workout Clothes
      • Shorts
      • Skirts
      • Jackets
      • Shoes
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • Men
      • Suits
      • Pants, Jeans
      • Shirts
      • Jackets & Sweaters
      • Shoes, Boots
      • Costumes
    • 1970s Outfit Ideas
      • Disco Fashion (Women & Men)
      • Women’s Fashion
      • Women’s Outfit Ideas
      • 1970s Fashion History
  • 1980s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Prom Dresses
      • Jeans/Leggings
      • Tops
      • Jackets
      • Sweatshirts, Sweaters
      • Workout Clothes
      • Shoes
      • Hats
      • Costumes
    • Men’s Clothing
  • Fashion History
    • Men’s Fashion
    • Victorian Fashion
    • 19100-1910s Fashion
    • 1920s Fashion
    • 1930s Fashion
    • 1940s Fashion
    • 1950s Fashion
    • 1960s Fashion
    • 1970s Fashion
    • Vintage Inspired Fashion
Vintage Dancer | 1930s Fashion History | 1930s Outfit Ideas | Autumn, Winter, Spring Inspiration

1930s Outfit Ideas | Autumn, Winter, Spring Inspiration

1930s Fashion History

1 Oct 2020

I absolutely love 1930s fashion. At first I thought it would never look good on my short and curvy frame because all the fashion images from the decade feature very tall and narrow silhouettes (the hand-drawn images were not  realistically proportionate in the least). After giving a few 30s outfits a try, especially mixing separates, I found a new appreciation for the decade.

It is, however, not the easiest of decades to re-create simply because the day to day styles haven’t come to the mainstream since the 1970s and 80s. In recent years there have been some 70s does 30s dress revivals as well as Old Hollywood glam evening gowns. Crop sweaters and knit tops, wide leg pants and long overcoats are coming back too. These will help you in re-creating 1930s outfits while venturing into the thrift stores or scouring online genuine vintage sales to complete the rest.

The following are some 1930s outfit ideas for winter to summer, focusing on semi-dressy to casual fashions. I will save the evening glam for another article.

1939 fall outfits 30s winter outfits with skirts. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer

1939 fall outfits with skirts, blouses, blazers, and oxford shoes

1930s Dresses and  Accessories

Most women in the 1930s wore dresses, all day, every day. Simple house dresses and aprons at home or dressier going out dresses and suits in the afternoons. What makes 1930s dresses “thirties” in style is the very modest high necklines, a higher waistline (somewhere between the natural middle waist and an empire waist), and a mid calf “midi” length.  Small prints in cheerful colors were popular all day long while solid colors in rich hues made for more sophisticated looks.

Accessorizing a plain 1930s style dress is key to creating an authentic 30s style. These are some ideas:

  1. A belt. Most 1930s dresses were sold with thin matching fabric belts to accent the high waistline. Thin and wide cloth or leather belts with plastic belt buckles were also in vogue when worn over a dress, a jacket, or a cardigan sweater– pretty much everything.  White, red, and brown were popular with all outfits. Other colors found in the dress print could also be matched to the belt.
  2. Collar, dickey, false front. 1930s fashion love fussy ruffles, pleats, lace and collars of all shapes and sizes. The more fluff the better. You can buy or make detachable white collars and dickies or “false blouse fronts” to add over a plain dress or blouse. Consider adding matching cuffs on sleeves too. This is an easy way to add instant 30s charm to a modern dress. Look at 1980s patterns for collars that work very well for 30s outfits.
  3. Scarf. In spring and fall a decorative neck scarf was a must have accessory worn over a dress or tucked under the lapels of a jacket.  Scarves could be worn a number of pretty ways. Learn more about vintage scarf styles here.
  4. Flowers and brooches. Jewelry is always a nice way to jazz up a vintage dress. Fake flowers pinned on lapels or dresses is one nice and easy accessories. A pretty vintage brooch, especially in bakerite or rhinestone, and in classic shapes (moon, stars) or animals (scotty dogs!) can be pinned on a lapel, collar, blouse or scarf. Read more about jewelry. 
  5. Gloves, hats, and purse are a must have accessories for any outfit.  Read more about 1930s gloves , 1930s purses, and 1930s hats styles.
  6. Stockings in the 1930s came in a full range of neural colors from black to brown, grey to white. White or colored ankle socks were options for sporty looks including dresses. Shop stockings. 
  7. Shoes in the 1930s were mostly walking oxfords- low to moderate heel lace up shoes in white, brown or black. Fancier heels were the T-strap or Mary Jane shoe. Shop 1930s shoes. 
1936 day dresses accented with a belt 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
1936 day dresses accented with a belt
1936, a belt, big buttons, neck scarf accent this 2 peice peachy-pink dress. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
1936, a belt, big buttons, neck scarf accent this 2 peice peachy-pink dress

1938 lace collars can decorate any dress or top. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
1938 lace collars can decorate any dress or top
A neck scarf tucked into a top- so classy! 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
A neck scarf tucked into a top- so classy!

Spring Jacket Dresses

Many spring and summer dresses in the 1930s were sold with a matching light jacket. They started out waist-length in the early years but could be hip level or longer later on. If a matching jacket wasn’t available a lady could coordinate her dress with a white jacket in summer or a dark solid color anytime of year. A short cape around the shoulders was a charming alternative to jackets. Shop jackets. 

1930s polka dot dress and white jacket summer outfit at VintageDancer
A white jacket works with any spring and summer dress
1933 small removable cape
1933 small removable cape

1933 matching light jacket with skirt
1933 matching light jacket with skirt
1932 Sleeveless jacket for this nautical outfit
1932 Sleeveless jacket for this nautical outfit

My thrifted 1930s outfit with matching skirt and jacket, polo shirt, belt, neck scarf and hat
<-- Inspiration for my outfit

 

Blazers and Jackets

One of my favorite 1930s looks for cooler weather is the ladies fitted blazer worn over a dress or a skirt and blouse set. 1930s blazers fit snug to the body, pulling in at the waist and skimming over the top of the hips.  Unlike a coordinated suit, a blazer could be any color or pattern paired with a contrasting dress or skirt.  The mixing possibilities were endless which makes them a great choice for your ’30s wardrobe.

1937 red blazer jacket
1939 green or plaid blazers with skirts
1939 green or plaid blazers with skirts

While most blazers were a wool type fabric for winter warmth, there were other short jackets for mild winter days. The belted wool, suede or leather jacket is a classic, while the cropped leather jacket in natural or bright colors gave a nod to the adventurous woman look (aviator, motorcyclist.) Short fur coats were briefly in fashion as well.

I have better luck finding jackets in menswear than women’s clothing. Many men’s “bomber jackets” can work well as casual women’s winter jacket. Shop women’s jackets and coats or learn the history of women’s coats and jackets.

1933 belted sporty jackets
1933 belted sporty jackets
1933 short winter fur jackets 1930s women girls at VintageDancer
1933 short winter jackets

Cropped leather jacket 1930s women outfit
Cropped leather jacket
1937 Ladies bomber jackets

Long winter coats with or without a fur collar were the final peice for a woman’s winter outfit. I am glad to see them back in fashion this year- especially the novelty textures and patterns such as plaid, herringbone, and checks.

1936 winter coats and jacket 1930s outfits at VintageDancer

1936 winter coats and jacket

1930s outfit idea for winter. My 30s date night outfit with fur collar winter coat at VintageDancer

My 30s date night outfit with fur collar winter coat

 Skirts and Tops

Moving away from dresses the 1930s strongly favored the skirt and blouse separates.  They were economical and versatile for the many different outfits they could create. A mid length skirt was often paired with a long billowy sleeve blouse or short puff sleeve button down blouse. Blouses were short in length and usually worn untucked, so a belt was often added on top. Many blouses and knit tops had a banded bottom hem that acted like a belt as well. Shop 30s skirts. 

1937 plaid skirt with red silk blouses
1937 plaid skirt with red silk blouses
1939 long sleeve lime green blouse, red belt, blue pleated skirt outfit idea at VintageDancer
1939 long sleeve lime green blouse, red belt, blue pleated skirt

1936 linen skirt and blouses (matching or contrasting ) with built in belt and straw hat outfit at VintageDancer
1936 linen skirt and blouses (matching or contrasting ) with built in belt
1930s Blouses and skirt outfit ideas at VintageDancer
Blouses and skirt pairings

I thrifted these outfits layering a skirt, blouse, belt and hat:

Easy 1930s tea party outfit summer costume idea. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
Outfit 1 with striped blouse-jacket, belt skirt, and straw hat
Early 1930s casual summer outfit. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
Outfit 2 with black polo shirt, belt, skirt, neck scarf and cloche hat

Sweaters and Skirts

Knit tops, both short and long sleeve, as well as pullover and cardigan sweaters could also be worn with skirts on their own or over a thin blouse.  Layering knitwear over a dress was an equally common outfit for cooler days. Shop sweaters and short sleeve knitwear.

By now you can see some color trends happening. Red, navy blue, emerald green, grey and a medium brown were some of the most popular colors in the 1930s. In spring and summer peachy-pink, white, baby-blue and golden yellow lightened up wardrobes. There were few rules regarding color pairings so be free to experiment. The best ’30s outfits are usually non-matchy matchy sets.  Learn more about 1930s colors and fabrics. 

1937 plaid skirt with red silk blouses
1937 plaid skirt with red silk blouses
1936 wool pullover top with skirt outfit 1930s winter at VintageDancer
1936 wool pullover top with skirt

1935 check skirt with stripe knit sweater-blouse outfit for fall at VintageDancer
1935 check skirt with stripe knit sweater-blouse
1932 banded hem sweater knits
1932 banded hem sweater knits

1932 cardigan sweaters
1932 cardigan sweaters
1933 cardigan sweater (from the late '20s) with blouse and herringbone skirt.
1933 cardigan sweater (from the late ’20s) with blouse and herringbone skirt.

Ski pants

The latest craze for women to wear pants was mostly a summertime only outfit. The one exception was the cuffed wool ski pant with matching ski jacket. Although intended for ski and snow play I have no doubt women in very cold climates wore them throughout winter at home or running into town. The wool or flannel winter slacks (not cuffed) came about at the very end of the 1930s giving women year round casual comfort.

Wool ski pants were paired with warm blouses or knit pullovers, thick roll neck “ski” sweaters, or menswear style flannel shirts (solid, check or plaid.) A matching wool ski jacket in the belted Mackinaw style or short bomber jacket style were the two best options.  Cute knit winter hats, scarves and mittens are naturally required accessories.  A pair of lace up winter snow boots was also critical. Read more about vintage winter boots here. 

1934 red ski pants with roll neck sweater winter outfit at VintageDancer
1934 red ski pants with roll neck sweater
1936 brown ski pants with white blouse winter 1930s outfit at VintageDancer
1936 brown ski pants with white blouse

1937 Ski pants with flannel shirts winter 1930s snow outfit at VintageDancer
1937 Ski pants with flannel shirts
1938 ski pants and jackets winter outfit at VintageDancer
1938 ski pants and belted jackets

Beach Pajamas

In the late 1920s, women took their house pajamas and turned them into “Beach Pajamas” and wore them all summer, beach in sight or not! These oversized, wide leg, flowing pants with attached or separate sleeveless top are so much fun to wear. A modern pair of palazzo pants has the same effect as the 1930s beach pajamas. Be sure to buy a few pairs while they are still in fashion. Learn more about beach pajamas and other wide leg pants here. 

Beach pajamas!
Rockin my House of Foxy beach pajama set 1930s
My House of Foxy beach pajama set

Summer Slacks

The beach pajamas gave way to women wearing men’s style slacks for informal occasions.  The wide leg sailor pants in white or blue with contrasting buttons, was the best 1930s style pant. Light denim pants could also be worn but these were not “jeans” as we know them.  Most 30s pants were paired with equally casual striped knit T-shirts or polo shirts.

Other styles of summer “playclothes” included the overall, the suspender pant, the coulotte pant, and the romper/playsuit with overdress.

1930s summer outfits. 1938 culottes, pants with polo shirt, pants with t-shirt, pant suit. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
1938 culottes, pants with polo shirt, pants with t-shirt, pant suit
1937 "sailor" themed summer clothes at VintageDancer
1937 “sailor” themed summer clothes

1938 Overalls and suspender pants at VintageDancer
1938 Overalls and suspender pants
Janet Waterford Bragg, pilot, wears white wide leg pants with blouse and suede aviator style jacket. 1930s black women outfit. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
Janet Waterford Bragg, pilot, wears white wide leg pants with blouse and suede aviator style jacket.

Shorts or pants with a blouse, blazer and headscarf. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
Shorts or pants with a blouse, blazer and headscarf
1933 casual pants and knit top or skirt with knit top and belt. 1930s outfits for summer, easy. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
1933 casual pants and knit top or skirt with knit top and belt

Women could also wear shorts in the summer, if they were playing a sport or at the beach. Many gym or workout clothes involved shorts or playsuits as part of the uniform. Casually, women wore high waist, wide leg, mid thigh shorts with casual knit shirts, polo shirts and short sleeve blouses. Add a pair of sandals or sporty flat canvas sneakers (Keds), sunglasses, a headscarf or big sun hat and you will have several fun 1930s summer outfits.

1938 playsuit or gymsuit for women with pleated tennis shorts. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer

1938 playsuit or gymsuit for women with pleated tennis shorts

1930s Pantsuit Outfit- Marlene Dietrich

A 1930s Marlene Dietrich menswear suit was one outfit a woman could somewhat-comfortably cross-dress in. Marlene usually bought men’s suits and had them tailored to her body. Most women at the time who adopted menswear clothing did this as well.

1930s Marlene Dietrich in a pant suit
Marlene Dietrich in a pant suit
1937 wool slacks and blazer for women 1930s cross-dressing outfit
1937 wool slacks and blazer

For accuracy, purchasing a 1930s reproduction suit, sewing a suit, or buying a vintage men’s suit and tailoring them is the best option. For the rest of us on a budget, you can adapt a thrifted women’s suit to the look easily — that is, IF you can find a suit to begin with. I found this grey check suit, but it was the only option that didn’t look totally out of place/ the wrong decade in the several stores I shopped. I searched online, too, but most modern suits have skinny pants (not wide leg) and plain blazers that resemble ’60s fashions, not 1930s. Finding a menswear 1930s outfit was a lot harder than I expected.

1930s menswear suit outfit inspired by Marlene Dietrich. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
1930s menswear suit outfit
1930s menswear or gangster mol look. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
1930s menswear or gangster mol look

Removing the jacket and wearing the pants with a white button-down collared shirt, dark necktie, and vest creates the same masculine ’30s outfit but without the difficulty of finding a matching suit set. Wearing a fedora hat instead of cloche transforms it into a gangster moll costume (wives of gangsters / female gangsters).

1930s Outfit: Bonnie Parker

Speaking of 1930s female gangsters, the most notorious of them all is Bonnie Parker, partner to Clyde Barrow. She did not wear men’s clothes, or at least she was never photographed in them. She always had a ’30s dress or skirt and top separates with a pair of heels and freshly styled hair. Very ladylike!

For my Bonnie Parker outfit, I found a tea length gored skirt and paired it with a chevron knit sweater, T-strap shoes, and ’30s wig.  I am pretty proud of this one. It is simple yet accurate, and very wearable today, albeit perhaps without the wig.

A 1930s Bonnie Parker costume. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer

A 1930s Bonnie Parker costume

More 1930s outfits:

Film Noir- 1930s-1950s outfits inspired the Film Noir genre.

1940s Casual Outfits – Many of these can work for the late 1930s.

1930s Summer outfits– A few of my 30s outfits worn to a Great Gatsby beach party

1930s Plus size/Mature Women’s fashion– What did the wise and curvy woman wear in the 1930s?

1930s Makeup – A bit of history and basic application guide

1930s Shoes – History of 1930s shoe styles

 

What other 1930s outfits would you like to see?

 

debbie
We are Debbie and Oscar, your guides to dressing up like decades past. We are here to help you find clothing online and learn about vintage fashions as worn by everyday people, just like you. Need help with your outfit? Ask us anytime.
« 1940s Fall Winter Casual Outfits
1950s Men’s Workwear & Casual Clothes »
  • Home
  • About The Vintage Dancer
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure

Disclosure:

This website is supported by advertising in the form of product links, banners, and sponsored articles. We may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking a link.  As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Read: Privacy Policy, Disclosure, Terms and Conditions

About Us

  • About VintageDancer.com
  • Newsletter eMail Sign Up
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure

Follow Us

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Google +
  • Twitter
  • Tumbler
  • Blog Lovin
  • RSS Reader

How to Buy:

Click on the picture or title of the product and you will be redirected to the online merchant selling that item. Questions about sizing and shipping are answered on the merchants website.

VintageDancer.com links to clothing for sale online to make finding vintage inspired clothing easier.

Our Story

Dressing in vintage style clothing for a themed event or personal fashion is our passion. We turned a hobby into this website to make it easy to find vintage inspired clothing for women and men online spanning 1900-1960s. Our fashion history blog helps you create the look from decades past using vintage, vintage inspired and thrifty clothing, Need help? Ask us anytime.

Copyright © 2021 ·