The 1920's / Early 1930's styles were definitely more suited to the tall and thin. I can't imagine anyone shorter or slightly curvier pulling off those long, straight designs. Possibly this trend in design was the beginning of the super thin model?
It was, but it started as a kind of feminism. From one of my blog posts:
During World War I, women experienced a level of freedom and autonomy they had not experienced before and this was reflected in their fashions, which moved from heavily corseted, fussy, feminine attire to shorter skirts, and more comfortable, elastic girdles.
These changes accelerated after the war. Instead of "helpless" and decorative women, fit and sporty women were in style. In other words, for the first time ever, thin was in. It was, in fact, a sign of liberation at the time. People had no way of knowing how terribly wrong it would go in the future.
The styles of the 1920s look great -- on mannequins and very thin women. Those dropped waists and flat fronts on flapper dresses, however, did nothing to flatter the average woman with hips, breasts, and a waist. The return of the waist in the 1930s must have been a great relief to mature and curvy women everywhere.
Great post Charlotte Issyvoo ! No wonder I've always been more a fan of the 1930's than the 1920's:) Sharing your blog post to my Vintage/Antique Reference Guide Community under Fashion - thanks so much!
Interesting to see that models were skeletally thin in 1930.
ReplyDeleteMike Martin Yes, more so in the fashion magazines than the grocery store magazines like Family Circle, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe 1920's / Early 1930's styles were definitely more suited to the tall and thin. I can't imagine anyone shorter or slightly curvier pulling off those long, straight designs. Possibly this trend in design was the beginning of the super thin model?
ReplyDeleteIt was, but it started as a kind of feminism. From one of my blog posts:
ReplyDeleteDuring World War I, women experienced a level of freedom and autonomy they had not experienced before and this was reflected in their fashions, which moved from heavily corseted, fussy, feminine attire to shorter skirts, and more comfortable, elastic girdles.
These changes accelerated after the war. Instead of "helpless" and decorative women, fit and sporty women were in style. In other words, for the first time ever, thin was in. It was, in fact, a sign of liberation at the time. People had no way of knowing how terribly wrong it would go in the future.
The styles of the 1920s look great -- on mannequins and very thin women. Those dropped waists and flat fronts on flapper dresses, however, did nothing to flatter the average woman with hips, breasts, and a waist. The return of the waist in the 1930s must have been a great relief to mature and curvy women everywhere.
(I hope this doesn't count as shameless self-promotion. Read more here if you'd like: http://www.sublimemercies.com/2014/08/myrna-loy-clara-bow-and-me-1930s-style.html )
Great post Charlotte Issyvoo ! No wonder I've always been more a fan of the 1930's than the 1920's:)
ReplyDeleteSharing your blog post to my Vintage/Antique Reference Guide Community under Fashion - thanks so much!
Hey thanks, Pam WhimsicalVintage . Where can I find that?
ReplyDelete