Nautica Women's Breton Stripes Sleeveless V-Neck Stretch Cotton Polo Dress

In the 1920s, women's dresses exhibited distinct boyish characteristics and very short hemlines. During the 1930s, dress styles changed drastically because femininity returned and distinctive changes in cut and hemline were seen. Due to the depressed economy of the decade and the beginning of the war, clothing styles were simple, but talented designers turned these limitations into their advantage by designing slim-fitting, stylish dresses with many options.

As of season 2014, the hemline fell mid calf for evening wear, while the floor-length hemline was for day wear. A tube-shaped dress with a smooth skirt fits tightly around the torso without billowing or pleating. To achieve a flowing look dressmakers used either newer fabrics like rayon or cutting bias cuts that were diagonal to the direction of the weave. Belts were often used to accent waistlines tucked in closely. After going out of fashion in the 1910s, corsets made their reappearance in the 1930s as people sought a very small waist. Women who did not want to see the uncomfortable corset returned soon were pleased that the wartime dress restrictions soon ended this fashion revival.

There are several elements of the 1930s and early 1940s dress styles that are particularly distinguishable. The back and buttocks were the first areas to be treated. The bodice was often made to reveal large portions of the back, with deep Vs in the back almost reaching the waist, which was formed by the neckline of the dress plunging down to the waist in the back. For the first time, women's rears began to receive much attention as dresses closed very closely across their buttocks. Evening wear featured many of these styles.

In the 1930s, print dresses were another significant trend. In order to save money, women bought simple dresses without embellishments or fancy tailoring. Printed fabrics became an attractive solution to the problem for many women. Women made an ordinary dress pretty by adding checker ed, polka-dotted, and floral designs to the fabric.

Women's dresses underwent further recombination after World War II ended in 1939. It was no longer necessary to wear fabrics such as rayon and silk that were necessary for use in the military. Hemlines rose to the knee or slightly above the knee. The fundamental styles of women's dress did not change until 1947 when the New Look styles came into being.