Orange was a Hot Color in the 1930s

I listed this gorgeous 1930s burnt orange velvet bias cut velvet dress for sale on my website yesterday.  The color is so striking and unusual compared to most 1930s velvet dresses I find in black, navy and burgundy, that it piqued my curiosity.  That sent me on another research adventure.

Color fashion photography was not common at this time, so we have to rely on artist's renderings to see clothing in color.  But some fabric manufacturers did go to the expense of having color photographs done of fabric swatches so women could see the fabrics and colors that would be popular that year.  These are both from the fall of 1935.

And here are the fabrics that Mme. Chanel was using for her fall line in 1935. 

Here are velvets from 1934.  Notice the stand-out color in each?  Orange.  Orange shows up in fabric swatches from about 1934 through 1939.  This tells me the velvet dress I showed you above was the height of fashion in the mid-to-late 1930s.

Below are some artist renderings of orange used in fashion in the 1930s.

Dress by Jodelle, 1935.

Suit by Madeleine de Rauch, 1938

Black hat with orange bird of paradise feather by Chanel, 1935.

Evening gowns by Vionnet, 1935.

June Bride, 1935

Molyneux designed this stunning silk crepe bridal gown in 1935.  The long veil is of the same fabric.  Sculpted wax flowers adorn the front of the neckline and cap.

Weekend Eye Candy - Alix, 1935

A backless black crepe evening gown by Alix Barton, 1935.  Alix is better known as Mme. Gres today.  I love how the drapey sleeves accent that open back. 

Paris Fashion for Daytime - 1935

Today, let's continue our look at Paris fashions of the 1930s by checking out some daytime wear from 1935. Which is your favorite?  Look!  I found one photo in color!  The garments above are all from Marcel Rochas. 

I don't know if you can see the detail, but this jacket by Phillipe et Gaston is made from black wool braid that is set on it's side and sewn together in swirls to make the "fabric".  It is trimmed in black Persian lamb fur.

 Lucille Manguin camel wool day dress and short coat.  Note that the coat is completely lined in fur.  I'm not sure if that is seal, mouton, or sheared beaver.

Callot Soeurs offered this gray wool day dress trimmed in sheared lamb fur at the bodice and sleeves.

This Anny Blatt gray and white wool suit was completely knitted by hand by women in the Swiss Alps.  It is trimmed with blue wool felt.

Evening Dresses - 1935

In the 1930s, women wore full length gowns for evening. Body conscious jersey knits and bias cut satins revealed a woman's curves and these looks were very sexy. Fuller skirts were also available, though not nearly as full as they would be in 20 years time. While bare arms dominated, if a gown had sleeves, they were quite full and dramatic. Today, evening dresses from 1935.

Maggy Rouff navy wool jersey gown with attached sleeve cuffs.

Lucien Lelong white crepe gown with low cut back and floating trains.

Callot Soeurs navy silk taffeta with velvet bodice.

Black taffeta gown with large velvet polka dots and voluminous sleeves.

Black lace gown floats over a black underslip. The lace is embroidered with sparkling threads.

Is the 1930s your decade of choice?

Vintage Corsets - 1935

It's 1935 and clothes are slim and body conscious. Bias cuts reign, which means your dress clings to every curve, bump, and ripple. What's a gal to do?

You wear a girdle, of course! One piece girdles or corsets with attached bras were in commercial production with the aid of a new latex yarn called Lastex, which slimmed and supported the figure without the use of heavy boning.

Low cut backs in dresses called for ingenuity in the design of corsets. This one, without garters, was advertised as being wearable under evening gowns and swimsuits.

Here we see another low backed design and the attached ribbon garters used to hold up one's stockings.

In 1935, Warner's introduced better fit with 4 different cup sizes - A, B, C, and D.

Many evening gowns of the 1930s were daringly low cut, sometimes backless, with tiny straps. Now, what's a gal to do?

This ad for lingerie by Maguerite Sacrez solves the puzzle. This long line girdle extends up to just below the breasts. Also shown in the ad is a separate bra that could be worn with the girdle, if desired.