Dress for a drive back in time: clothing, hats, and accessories from the Model A years, 1928–1931.
Fashion in Pictures, 1929–1930
A period photograph and original fashion illustrations show travel clothing, afternoon dresses, menswear, and beachwear. Select a picture to view its source and larger image.
Travel Clothing — 1929
Afternoon Dresses — 1929
Men’s Clothing — 1929
Beachwear — 1930
From the late 1920s to the early 1930s
Women’s silhouettes changed noticeably during these four years. Dresses in 1928 and early 1929 often had a low waist at the hip. During 1929 and 1930, the waist moved upward; by 1931, the natural waist was prominent. Choose a specific year when assembling an outfit so its details work together.
Research credit: Aiken Model A’s — Fashions during the Model A Years. Their chapter page explains the changing waistline and provides period fashion examples.
Women’s daytime clothing
Start with the dress silhouette, then coordinate the hat, shoes, gloves, handbag, and hosiery. A convincing outfit depends on these small details as well as the main garment. Daytime, sport, and formal outfits served different occasions; consult a dated catalog or MAFCA reference before mixing pieces.
Men’s clothing
Single- and double-breasted suits were common. Model A era jackets had a shaped waist and wider lapels than many modern suits. Wool was a principal suit fabric, sometimes blended with other fibers. Derby, homburg, fedora, and straw boater hats provided different choices for the season and occasion.
Source and credit: MAFCA Era Fashion Committee — Quick Reference Guide for Daytime Fashions, 1928–1931 (illustrated PDF), based on MAFCA’s A Book of Fashion Facts and Fashion Guidelines.
Putting an outfit together
- Pick a year and an occasion: a picnic, an afternoon visit, a club tour, or an evening event.
- Study dated photographs, pattern envelopes, and catalogs for that year.
- Build around the main garment, then add coordinated accessories.
- For fashion judging, follow the organization’s current guidelines and keep the documentation for your outfit.
Credited Fashion Reading
- Judy’s Fashion Articles — Judy Lewis, Sonoma A’s; research from a MAFCA Era Fashion Judge.
- Era Fashion Articles and Getting Started — Sacramento Capitol A’s; includes introductory work credited to Peggy Gill.
- Era Fashion Research and What’s New — MAFCA Era Fashion Committee.
- The Road to a Perfect Clara Award — Model A Restorers Club; consult MARC’s era fashion standards for its judging program.
Our thanks to the authors, chapter volunteers, MAFCA, and MARC. Original illustrations and full articles remain at their credited sources.
The Details That Complete an Era Outfit
Gloves, Hats, and Accessories
Gloves were an important part of dressing for outings. Choose accessories together, using a dated picture to guide their shape and proportions. MAFCA’s Era Fashion Committee has revisited glove construction details as new evidence has emerged; check its research before assuming that one glove style fits every occasion.
Research credit: MAFCA Era Fashion Committee — glove research and updates.
Zippers in the Model A Years
Zippers appeared in selected accessories, boots, and sports or work clothing. That does not make them appropriate for every garment. Janet Gundlach found a 1931 Vogue Dressmaking reference suggesting a Talon slide fastener for beach pajamas. Document the particular garment and date when choosing a reproduction closure.
Research credit: Janet Gundlach and the MAFCA Era Fashion Committee — zipper findings.
Sewing and Seam Finishes
Commercially made clothing could have serged seams during the early 1930s. Industrial equipment and home sewing equipment were different, so a seam finish should be evaluated in the context of the garment’s manufacture. MAFCA updated its guidance as evidence became available.
Research credit: MAFCA Era Fashion Committee — serged-seam research.
Men’s Fashion: Study the Whole Outfit
A dated catalog is useful for comparing jacket cut, trousers, shirt, tie, hat, and shoes together. MAFCA’s Stepping Out in Style 1930–1931 reproduces color menswear catalog illustrations. Use those examples to plan a complete look for the year you choose.
Reading credit: MAFCA Era Fashion Committee — Stepping Out in Style.
A Practical Club-Tour Outfit Checklist
This checklist is our suggestion for organizing your research and enjoying an era outfit at a club event:
- Choose one year. Put the year and occasion at the top of your notes.
- Save your evidence. Keep a dated catalog page, photograph, or pattern envelope with the source and page number.
- Make an outfit list. Include the main garment, shoes, hat, hosiery or socks, and any gloves, handbag, belt, or tie shown in your reference.
- Compare proportions. Check the waistline, hem, lapels, and accessory shapes against the picture.
- Try it before the tour. Sit comfortably, walk in the shoes, and check that the hat and accessories stay secure.
For judged events, use the applicable MAFCA or MARC guidelines and bring your documentation.
Explore Chapter Fashion Research
Judy Lewis’s fashion articles — Sonoma A’s and Sacramento Capitol A’s era-fashion collection offer further reading. Credit belongs to each article’s named author and chapter; follow the original links for their full illustrations and research.
Ten More Era Fashion Articles
These articles by Judy Lewis, Sonoma A’s member and MAFCA Era Fashion Judge, explore clothing and accessories of the Model A era. Originally published in The Restorer and shared by the Sonoma A’s, they open as PDFs at their source.
Knitted Garments of the Model A Era
Knitwear as a starting point for building an era wardrobe.
By Judy Lewis · The Restorer / MAFCA · Hosted by Sonoma A’s
Tennis Shoes
A closer look at casual footwear of the Model A years.
By Judy Lewis · The Restorer / MAFCA · Hosted by Sonoma A’s
Women’s Handbags
Research a handbag to complement a period outfit.
By Judy Lewis · The Restorer / MAFCA · Hosted by Sonoma A’s
The Newest Felt Flowers
Explore felt flowers as an accessory for an era look.
By Judy Lewis · The Restorer / MAFCA · Hosted by Sonoma A’s
The Princess Silhouette is Important for Winter
Study the princess silhouette for winter dressing.
By Judy Lewis · The Restorer / MAFCA · Hosted by Sonoma A’s
Pen and Pencil Sets
Discover a small personal accessory for a complete outfit.
By Judy Lewis · The Restorer / MAFCA · Hosted by Sonoma A’s
Ladies Shoes
Compare women’s footwear when planning an era ensemble.
By Judy Lewis · The Restorer / MAFCA · Hosted by Sonoma A’s
Bermuda Shorts During the Model A Era
Explore the history of shorts during the Model A years.
By Judy Lewis · The Restorer / MAFCA · Hosted by Sonoma A’s
Men’s Ties
Choose a tie as part of a men’s period outfit.
By Judy Lewis · The Restorer / MAFCA · Hosted by Sonoma A’s
Toddler & Pre-School Outer Garments
Find inspiration for dressing younger family members.
By Judy Lewis · The Restorer / MAFCA · Hosted by Sonoma A’s
Visit Judy’s complete article collection at Sonoma A’s. Article text and illustrations remain with their creators and publishers.