1930s Coats

By Pauline Weston Thomas for Fashion-Era.com

WOMEN'S WEAR FASHIONS Sept 12, 1930 The Illustrated Supplement.
1930 Coat Fashion History Images
Fashion Notes of the Week 1930

This page includes fashion design images from a 1930 Winter edition of Women's Wear Patterns and Fashions first published in September 1930.

Much of the text below is exactly as written in the booklet. I have also included a pattern draft chart for one of the coats, which is suitable for experienced pattern cutters.

Essentially the Women's Wear booklet focuses on coats. The coats are interesting in their own right because they illustrate the 1930s theme of unity in fashion.

Indeed, the early 1930s look with intricate seam details that are a wonderful source of information and inspiration for the modern fashion designer. The clear line drawings and back views would also be useful for anyone making theatrical patterns for an early 1930s play or for re-enactment of murder mysteries.

All the images expand to A4 size to show clear seam detail. The 1930 line drawings are also suitable for colouring-in school use as well as theatrical reference for costuming dramas and re-enactment events such as outdoor car rallies.

WOMEN'S WEAR FASHIONS Sept 12, 1930 The Illustrated Supplement.

Notes from WOMEN'S WEAR PATTERNS AND FASHIONS exactly as written in the booklet:-

In the ladies' branch of the tailoring trade the seasons must be anticipated, and preparation made some time in advance, at any rate as far as fashions are concerned. In view of this, we are issuing with the present number a sixteen page illustrated supplement of forthcoming fashions in ladies' garments for winter.

The drawings have been specially limned* for this publication by leading fashion artists, and portray the principal styles that will be worn during the season named. They maybe accepted as correct both as to fashion and details, and can be submitted to customers with every confidence.

This supplement can be used as a reliable fashion guide and style interpreter and will answer in every way the same purpose as a much more pretentious and costly publication. The small extra charge made for this addition to the pages of Women's Wear Fashions by no means represents the additional value given, or even a tithe of it.
(*Meaning of limned 1. to represent in drawing/painting. 2. to portray in words; describe.)

The following is a brief description the styles represented, and dealt with in the order in which they appear.

1930 Coat Fashion History Images

Figure L2503 outlines a stylish long coat with fur collar.

It is cut single-breasted with roll collar, and fastens with three buttons rather closely spaced.

A curved seam runs through the fronts, and the back is cut whole.

Figure L2505 pictures another coat of large check pattern material, with the pattern running transversely.

It is wrap style and suitable for a weatherproof overgarment.

The fronts are held together by a belt in lieu of buttons and holes, and the pointed straps on the sleeves are copied on the hips.

When required the garment may button to the throat for protection.

L2506 - Below left. L2507 - Below right. The images expand to A4 size to show clearer seam and style details.

A useful coat and skirt are sketched on Figure L2506. The short belted jacket is double-breasted, and without a collar. It may either button over at the neck or a rever may be formed on the right side. Deep gauntlet cuffs make a suitable sleeve finish. The side-pleated skirt has a panel back and front.

Figure L2507 portrays a coat and skirt of a strictly tailored character - neat, plain, and chic. The coat is semi-fitting and the fronts double-breasted. The lapels turn fairly low and while three buttons are worn on each forepart, only two fasten, the other being for ornamentation.

Two buttons are attached to the cuffs. Two flaps and an outside breast welt pocket, and a centre seam back are other details. The wrap skirt is quite plain.

L2506 - Below right. L2507 - Below right. The images expand to A4 size to show clearer seam and style details.

L2519

A fashionable caped coat is depicted on Figure L2519, made in the wrap style and to fasten with belt. There is a stand collar and revers, and the four buttons on the shoulder harmonise with the four on the cuffs. Capacious patch pockets are worn on the hips.

L2520

Figure L2520 presents a stylish long coat made of tweed, and trimmed with fur collar. It is single-breasted with long roll collar and fastens with one button only. Two vertical seams run through the whole length of the foreparts, deviating slightly at right angles on the hips.

A similar effect is carried out on the back. The four buttons on the cuffs and fancy seam are for decorative purposes.

L2519 - Below left. L2520 - Below right. The images expand to A4 size to show clearer seam and style details.

L2521

The coat reproduced on Figure L2521 whilst of a fancy design is equally useful and made to wear during inclement weather, as shown by the straps on cuffs and the button at throat. Both back and front agree in design.

Patch pockets are arranged on the hips with flaps super imposed.

L2522

Figure L2522 limns a smart coat trimmed on collar and cuffs with astrakhan. The fronts are single-breasted, with two buttons close-spaced, and jetted pockets are inserted on the hips. Two vertical seams run through the fronts deviating slightly below the waist, and this is copied on the back.

L2521 - Below left. L2522 - Below right. The images expand to A4 size to show clearer seam and style details.

L2523

A fur-trimmed coat is reproduced on Figure L2523, with a rather long shoulder cape behind. The side pieces on the front and skirt back are of original design, and the short belt and buckle keep the garment in position.

L2524

Figure L2524 shows a wrap coat of check pattern material. Ornamentation is provided by the strapping on the front with the pattern on the cross, and the button on the hip.

The long roll collar and cuffs, covered with fur, also add embellishment. The back is cut without a centre seam.

L2523 - Below left. L2524 - Below right. The images expand to A4 size to show clearer seam and style details.

L2525

An outfit for Continental sports is exhibited on Figure L2525, consisting of a one-piece garment trousers and bodice. The latter is double-breasted, and has collar and revers. Woollen scarf, hat and gloves are also indicated.

L2526

Figure L2526 displays a wrap overgarment with belt at waist. The collar stands up behind and the revers are rather wide. The seam under the arm runs zig zag at the hips where a button is attached.

L2527

A check coat of novel design is introduced on Figure L2527 with fur collar. A yoke is introduced both back and front, which in front extends to the patch pockets, forming a narrow strap with button attached. A belt encircles the waist, and a series of buttons adorn the fancy shape cuffs.

L2528

Figure L2528 delineates a coat and skirt trimmed with astrakhan on collar and cuffs. The three-quarter length coat buttons to the throat and has a deep stand collar. Welt pockets are also inserted on the hips. The skirt is quite plain.

L2527 - Below left. L2528 - Below right. The images expand to A4 size to show clearer seam and style details.

Experienced pattern cutters please note that Coat Fashion Design L2527 shown above left is available from fashion-era.com as a free 1930 coat pattern draft chart.

L2529

Another coat and skirt are featured on Figure L2529 with curved seams on fore parts and cuffs. The jacket is single breasted and quite short, with belt all round. It has pointed revers and fastens with four buttons. A panel fronted skirt is indicated.

L2530

Figure L2530 illustrates a long coat ornamented with fur and braid. It is a loose-fitting overgarment with Raglan sleeves. The fronts button two, and a belt also assists in keeping the coat in position. A vertical seam on the fore part curves into the sideseam at the hip, round the patch pocket. A panel back is suggested on the smaller drawing at the foot.

L2529 - Below left. L2530 - Below right. The images expand to A4 size to show clearer seam and style details.

Fashion Notes of the Week 1930

Notes from WOMEN'S WEAR PATTERNS AND FASHIONS exactly as written in the booklet:-

Demand For Flecked Tweeds - 1930

Reports from the ladies, wholesale clothing manufacturers, state that some firms are fairly busy on winter stock orders, especially for flecked tweed coats and juvenile garments. They report that there is very little demand for velours, and those who have stocked heavily in velours may find difficulty in selling some for the trend of fashion at the present is all for flecked tweeds in blue, brown, and fawn.

Mackintosh Styles - 1930

The April-like weather experienced last month proved a cheerful omen for mackintosh makers, who report having done good business. Mackintoshes are now all made very light in weight and artificial silk specially proofed material in the bright colors.

Some are reversible, such as small black and white checked design on one side and black on the other, showing a narrow piping of the check on the edges, and cuffs, and looks very effective. Beige, brown, and scarlet are popular colours.

Hockey Wear -1930

Now that winter is approaching many ladies' tailors are receiving orders from hockey clubs for outfits. The newest idea is to wear plus fours with a wrap over skirt arranged to open at the side for freedom of limbs, and the usual cream shirt blouse.

Of course, many prefer the navy serge gym frock and knickers of the same colour serge, but a light-weight material.

Strappings Decoration - 1930

A popular feature of the latest models of winter coats is the use of strappings over the shoulders back and front, as far as the hips, below which channel seams are introduced. This idea is largely introduced for the faced velour coats.

Fur Collars - 1930

The fur collars for the winter coats are practically all made to stand up high around the neck, and have a narrow facing inside only, of fur, and the part close to neck is of the same cloth as the coat is made of. Grey dyed furs are being much used for collars this season.

Artificial Silk Fabric - 1930

Many shops are displaying a new style of pyjamas, made from artificial silk fabric. The blouse is of the tuck-in style with a vee-shaped neck and the trousers are of the Mexican shape, with a close-fitting, pointed-in-front yoke, and wide bottoms.

Housecoats - 1930

With the approach of the chilly evenings there is a demand for the velveteen house coat in black, navy, or brown. The style mostly, being shown is S.B. button-one, and having a neat roll collar, and a fairly tight fitting sleeve. Welt pockets are the vogue.

Tweeds - 1930

Ladies' tailors report that many ladies are choosing the same colour and design of tweed as for men save of a lighter weight, such as brown tweed, with a large pin-spot or small herringbone. Find more information on our tweed fabric.

Further along in the booklet Women's Wear reports:-

Accordion Pleating

Accordion pleating is very much in favour for the new frock models now being displayed in the dress salons. It is extremely effective for dance frocks, and is being utilised in all kinds of uneven hem designs, etc.

Skirt Lengths - 1930

Although Paris has laid down the law that long skirts are to be the fashion, a visit to the fashionable parts of this country soon convinces one that this long skirt vogue has not materialised as far as outdoor skirts, thus proving that Miss 1930 prefers the shorter skirts. The sports girl does not look upon long skirts with favour. Of course, for evening dresses, longer skirts have become the general fashion.

You can see some free line drawings of earlier 1930s silhouettes.

You can read more about 1930's fashions in the stylish thirties. You can read how to date an old photo in this section here. Hats are very helpful when dating photos as are hairstyles.

Page added 14 July 2009. Page 737.