How did Womens Clothing change after the Great Depression?

Answer 1

The First World War (1914-1918) had a pronounced effect on women's fashion in the Western world. Several trends that had roots in the decades prior to the war, were rapidly accelerated by wartime conditions. The most lasting change happened to women's hemlines. Hems which had risen from floor length to ankle length prior to the war, rose to mid calf length by 1916, and have stayed that high, or higher, ever since. Hobble skirts were instantly jettisoned in favor of slightly wider more practical skirts. Several avant-garde fashions, like women's trousers, and short hair, decried before the war as sinful and ugly, were promoted as practical fashions for war work. The Pope even issued a bull during the war declaring that short hair for women was not immoral, and was a necessity for many factory workers. Most women did not suddenly cut their hair, but once it became acceptable to do so, gradually more and more women did in the following decades.

Answer 2

WWII followed the Depression. Women's clothes reflected two influences; a tailored, "military" style, and the fact that nearly everything was rationed.

Style followed function; skirts became shorter as fabric grew scarcer, clothes grew sleeker and relied on excellent cut and design rather than frills and furbelows. Slacks became acceptable street and workwear for women, shoes became clunkier as man-made materials replaced leather for soles. New technology was developed to replace scarce materials like silk with rayon.

Waists and hips were narrow, shoulders were broad and padded, the bustline high and rounded. As if to reflect a hunger for normal femininity after a day of building tanks, evening styles and makeup were extreme and aped Hollywood's ideas of glamour. It helped that neither hats nor sequins were rationed.

Answer 3

Women began wearing fewer and more revealing garments.

There were flappers in the 20's, but I'm talking about the average woman.

Answer 4

Had to be ready to work

Answer 5

hemmlines and boddices changed dramatically...shoe styles were great......and those bags, were to die for !