Bert Gallery

Women of the 1930s were quite pale since a suntan was seen as a characteristic of the lower class. Rouge, lipstick, and eyeshadow were used to brighten their faces; while their hair was fairly short and generally styled in finger-waves or soft curls with hardly any body.

Watercolors ranging from 12 1/2" x 17 1/2" to 14 1/2" x 17 1/2"

Throughout the 1930s dresses and suits became slimmer and shorter with an emphasis on practicality. Many bodices and blouses had gathers or darts at the shoulder and waist to give shape and fullness at the bust but still keep a trim waistline.

Herbert pencil & ink measure 6" x 9".

Fox furs with heads and tails became an integral part of women's formal fashion during the 1930s. In addition, men’s pants were wide and high waisted, vest sweaters acted as an alternative to the traditional matching vest of the three piece suit, and hats became mandatory for the well-dressed male.

Herbert watercolors ranging from 6" x 9 3/4" to 9 1/2" x 13 1/2".

In 1935 the Du Pont de Nemours Company successfully synthesized nylon. As a result, the nylon stocking was introduced in the United States in 1940, becoming so popular that there were “nylon riots” as customers fought over the first deliveries.

Herbert watercolors ranging from 7" x 12" to 11" x 14".

Padded, square shoulders and fitted skirts imitating a military uniform became popular, while “Air force blue” became the ‘must-have’ color of the 1930s.

Herbert watercolors ranging from 8" x 12 1/2" to 11" x 14".

Gloves were enormously important throughout the 1930s. Evening gowns were accompanied by elbow length gloves, and day costumes were worn with short or opera-length gloves of fabric or leather.

Herbert watercolors and inks ranging from 8" x 10" to 11" x 14".

Manufacturers and retailers introduced coordinating ensembles of hat, gloves and shoes, or gloves and scarf, or hat and bag, often in striking colors. For spring 1936, Chicago’s Marshell Field's department store offered a black hat by Lilly Daché trimmed with an antelope leather bow in “Pernod green, apple blossom pink, mimosa yellow or carnation blush” and suggested a handbag to match.

Herbert watercolors and pencils ranging from 6 1/2" x 11 1/2" to 7 1/2" x 9 1/2".

1930s evening fashion consisted of backless dresses with slightly bloused bodices. A popular formal look was the empire-waisted gown, with ties at the back. The dress might boast butterflies or large, puffy sleeves, as well as a train for a greater emphasis on the importance of an event.

Herbert watercolors ranging from 11" x 14" to 15" x 17 1/2".