| Abstract | This thesis explores if the fashions and trends depicted by the costumes of major Hollywood motion pictures of the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's had a significant effect on the popular clothing trends during these decades in America. The hypothesis was tested by reviewing literature already published about Hollywood movie costumes and the fashions worn by typical American women. Comparisons were made between evolving styles of film costumes and the similarly changing fashion trends adopted by female viewers. Focused research was also conducted on several important costume designers from this era to provide specific examples for study. By examining and analyzing these results, conclusions indicate that there is indeed a correlation between cinema costume fashions during the Hollywood Golden Age and the fashions of typical American women during the same decades. While Hollywood fashions tended to follow the popular apparel silhouettes and trends of the time, the widespread popularity of cinema during this era contributed to the spread and assimilation of these trends. To take advantage of Hollywood's influence on popular culture, clothing manufacturers often copied and adapted the on-screen costumes of film stars for average American women. |
