existing one with accessories or a new blouse. And of course many people
were still wearing their 1920s styles.
MAKING DO
Cash-strapped women became adept at restyling old garments, adding
trimmings and sometimes lengthening a skirt by adding a contrasting
panel. Because these efforts were all too obvious, this is a good way of
indicating a character’s changed circumstances or lowered social status in
plays about the Depression. People also shopped at secondhand stores in
an attempt to keep up appearances, so a character might be wearing
something that appears to be out of her usual class—for example, a fur
or a hat.
KNITWEAR
Without a doubt, this was the decade of knitwear. Imported European
woolens were fashionable but expensive, so home knitting became a
craze, followed swiftly by an increase in commercially produced knits for
all members of the family. Sweaters, cardigans, cobweb-lacy tops, suits,
berets, gloves, beachwear, and even swimwear clicked off the needles. “If
you do not have at least one knitted costume in your wardrobe
today,” warned Gentlewoman magazine, “something is wrong.”
The only problem was the name. British “Guernseys” (pullover
style) or “Jerseys” (button front) were just “sweaters” in the
United States, which gave rise to concern among some who felt
that the name sounded indelicate, as it suggested perspiration.
Whatever they called it, more and more American women were
knitting their own. Knitwear is a real 1930s style signature.
There’s no quick way to knit a sweater, but vintage patterns are
easily available.
THE TOMBOY LOOK
Free-thinking women took up the style of female flying ace
Amelia Earhart, who was often photographed near her airplane
wearing a leather jacket, slim pants, and a selection of silk ties.
She carried off the tomboy look brilliantly, thanks to her slight
frame and short, tousled hair. She’s a great character to costume.
Along with Katharine Hepburn, Earhart did much to overturn
Right: Amelia Earhart made the most of her petite figur e in a
leather jacket and jodhpur-style pants, often worn by pilots in
the early days of flying.
BUSY NEEDLES
The national craze for knitting was
given a boost when a movie magazine
revealed that Joan Crawford was
knitting between takes on the lot: “At
every breathing spell between poses
and fittings, she fell upon her knitting
as though her salary depended upon
it.” This news was swiftly followed by
The Motion Picture Movie Classic
Hand Knit Fashion as Worn by
Warner Brothers Stars, which
included Bette Davis in a knitted suit
and Anita Louise in “Lacy
Loveliness.”
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