1930s

1930s men’s fashion has a lot to do with the shape of clothes. At the time, designers idealized athletic builds. Therefore, the broad shoulders and thin waists of clothing reflected this idea. Tapered trousers offset the massive frame of tailored jackets. While many think that shoulder pads were only a trend for women, men’s jackets had shoulder pads to maintain the angled shape.

A V shape was prominent in clothes with coats angling down to create a V shape from neck to waist. The extra-large lapels of suit jackets extenuated the V shape even more. Shirts also replicated this look with tapered sleeves.

Popular 1930s men’s fashion included the topcoat. It came with pockets that were squared and fastened with buttons. Wide-leg trousers were fashionable in the 1930s. Men wore their pants above the naval and often embraced pleats. Men sported their pants cuffed for casual occasions and hemmed straight for more formal situations.

Menswear of the 1930s gravitated towards colors like brown, navy, and grey. Prints were also popular. Designers made a case for plaid, stripes, and checks. Youth often wore the patterns. 1930s shirts featured French cuffs and straight pointed collars.

The decade also introduced men to a casual option called the polo shirt. Men loved the Bush shirt too. Comparable to today’s Guayabera shirt, the short-sleeve shirt featured four patch pockets on the front. Double-breasted cardigan sweaters were a fad for fashion-savvy gentlemen of the 1930s.

No smart man was without a classic hat. 1930s men wore flat caps or newsboy caps, in addition to the Fedora or a straw hat. Men paired their silk socks with classic toe cap oxfords or brogues. Keds sneakers also appealed to the men of the 1930s for casual style.