The 1930's will forever be synonymous with the Great Depression which meant broken dreams and failure for many. However, it is the paradox of this decade that has inspired not only our color story, but also our fabric choices and designs. While many families lost the ability to buy the extravagantly stylish clothing for which the 1920's were notorious, they did not lose their interest in fashionable clothing or fashionable lifestyles. With movies becoming more popular than ever, entertainment encouraged everyone to look on the brighter side of life. Movies often featured wealthy people and their problems rather than the problems of the unemployed. So, for the first time we saw the primary fashion influence shift from Europe to Hollywood.
What did this mean for children's fashion? Clothing developed into much more comfortable and attractive styles. More and more children's wear was being handmade in the home which lent to perfectly tailored outfits with simple lines. In an effort to conserve fabric, dresses became shorter and boys traded in their knicker for shorter pants or shorts. Often, these shorts were made by cutting men's pants. During the 1930's families had limited resources, therefore, clothing was primarily made from cottons, linen, wool, and other natural fibers that were still readily available. Fabrics were often hand-dyed which gave a lovely soft muted look to the colors.
Despite the gloom and doom of the decade, it became one of the most pivotal eras for fashion. It became known as one of the most elegant periods of fashion with the simple draping and the explosion of the sportswear industry.
Natural fibers, simple lines, and fashionable styles. What's not Good. Simple. Fun. about that?
