The day dress

After all that writing about suits and menswear, let's have some girl talk again about dresses. Spring is definitely coming, and it is time to put away the woolen sweaters, long trousers and socks and get your skirts and dresses out!
So what to wear when you are a vintage gal?

An evening gown from Madame Grès. The last couturier to launch a ready to wear collection.

Actress Libby Holman in a strapless gown.

In the 1930's there was a big difference in classes. There are plenty of books with Paris 1930's fashion, beautiful fashion drawings and photographs of famous designers with elegant bias cut evening gowns, elegant woolen day suits with fur collars,  and lace trimmed dinner gowns. The 1930's is often referred to as the 'Golden age of Glamour'. Despite the great depression, the fashion expressed luxury and elegance. This new fashion was driven by Hollywood, and many French fashion designers designed dresses for the silver screen. After the liberating 1920's with a boyish silhouette and dropped waistline,  fashion in the 1930's was more classical feminine, with a natural waist. Madeleine Vionnet introduced the bias cut, which gave fabrics more drape and made dresses figure hugging. In the 1930's it was very common for women to change clothes two or three times a day. Sometimes even more, depending on the class and the situation. You would have day dresses, evening dresses, dinner dresses, cocktail dresses, sports outfits, and so on.

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The 1930's were also the age where swing dance and especially Lindy Hop took a real fly. So naturally, when you practice Lindy Hop, and like to dress for the occasion, you can get your inspiration in the 1930's.  So what are you looking for?
Not the glamorous long evening dresses I should think. Although wonderful and elegant, not really practical for swinging and swaying. Pictures of the Savoy Ballroom show girls dressed up in simple day dresses, skirts and even trousers. Simple outfits often with flat shoes and bobby socks. So modern girls, go for the day dresses! Practical, easy to maintain, comfortable and still, always stylish and if possible... with stockings...

1930's everyday life; women in dresses