Due to the depression many women could not afford to replace their clothes. Instead clothing was meanded and repaired, so women were sewing more than they had ever before. A feminine, softer look was replacing the "boyish" flapper style that had been popular in the twenties.
Hemlines dropped and necklines were lowered as well, and they were often quite elaborate. Furs were very popular, if they could be afforded, especially mikn, chincilla, and silver fox. Shoes were available in slip-on, lace-up and buckle styles. Two tone shoes appeared in the early thrites, and moderate heels were popular.
The double breasted suit was just growing popular, and was worn in colors such as charcoal, steel or speckled gray, slate, navy and midnight blue. Stripes were also popular, as blazers were in the summer.
Synthetic materials were also available, such as Nylon stockings, but synthetic clothing did not become popular until after World War II. The zipper, first known as a "slide fastener", also grew in popularity.
Without much money, finding ways to have fun was sometimes difficult for people. Most families who still had a home owned a radio. Radio shows were very popular. Soap operas were aired through out the day, with news and weather in the afternoon, and then family series in the evening. Board games were also a distracting source of fun.
Some other popular movies in the thirties were movies such as Frankenstein, Dracula, Scarface, The Thirty-nine Steps, and others.
During the thirties many of Americas writers, such as Ernest Hemingway produced their most wonderful works. The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck, tells of a family heading west during the Dust Bowl. Dr. Seuss also was delighting children with his famous rhyming books.
Swing music and Jazz were very popular genres of music during the thirties. Some popular artists were Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.