In the 1930’s the athletic body seen in boxers and superman became the ideal men’s shape. Clothing reflected this new shape with extra broad shoulders, thin waists, and tapered legs.
mens 1930s topcoat
1930’s Topcoat
Initially, inspiration for menswear came from British Guard Officer’s overcoats. Their shoulder line spread past the natural shoulder to line up with the bicep. Shoulder pads helped keep the angular shoulder shape. The coat than angled down to the waist creating a V shape from neck to waist. Sleeves repeated the V shape by starting out very roomy at the shoulder and narrowing down to the wrist.
Even more V shapes appear on 1930s men’s topcoats and suit coats with the appearance of very wide pointed lapels. Covering half the width of a man’s chest the lapels extended down to not the first, but the second set of a 4 button double breasted closure. The elongated lapels again emphasized the V shape