The Shift in Silhouette

Unlike fashion in many eras, the silhouette for womenswear in the 30's was ever changing - in the early thirties, everything was gently rounded (almost as if the times were shying away from the flat rectangular silhouette of the twenties); whilst before everything was very square and androgynous, now the focus was slowly shifting towards the emphasis on curves.

(Source: tuppencehappenny.blogspot) An illustration of the changing silhouette

(source: laughingelephant.com)

It was as if the threads were slowly being gathered in - curvacious figures were beginning to take form, gradually coming in at the waist and curving around the new rounded bust shape. Bias cut was at the height of fashion with its reserved feminine elegance and was paired with rounded, soft feminine details such as ruffles and frills.

(source: pinterest)

However, this all changed during the mid to late 30's, when the smooth curves were nipped right in to the waists and the shoulders flared out to large hulking forms. Everything was clinging to the skin, showing off every single curve, and the skirts were long and narrow which I feel perfectly balances the shoulders. Huge great square shoulder shapes flared out and emphasised the shoulders in a dramatic fashion.

Hemlines extended right back down to the floor again - this time flaring out with pleats or godets (triangular panels inserted into a skirt to give it more 'oomph') and the covered up look was being embraced again - bolero jackets and gloves stretched all the way up and down the arms and were colour coordinated with the long flowing gowns.