Column: Wintry looks of 1938

12/03/08 - Fashion is a building block of our culture that is in a constant struggle to reflect the overall trends and values of an increasingly fast-paced society. It is a medium through which designers interpret current events and mirror cultural attitudes, resulting in wearable art that is both beautiful and identity-shaping. That being said, if fashion is a reflection of global sentiments, where is its place in December of 2008, at a time when stock markets worldwide continue to rock with uncertainty and unemployment numbers are soaring past their highest peaks in decades?

We look to the female fashions of the Depression Era - the 1930s - to help us answer this question. With the expansion of the female working class during the Great Depression, modest but sophisticated casual dresses became a staple for daytime. To compensate for informal daywear, glamorous evening dresses trimmed with sequins, adorned with eye-catching costume jewelry and elegant accessories sparkled in defiance of the economic worries.

As the nation's economic woes continue to heighten, many economists are making comparisons to the Great Depression. Similarly, this season's holiday looks are channeling the glamorous sophistication of the 1930s. While daytime looks, of course, must be both practical and comfortable, why not bring a touch of glamour to your 8 a.m. class?

Black tights are this season's everyday essential (do yourself a favor and rid your closet of footless leggings.) Tights are always classy. During the day, pair them with suede or leather boots. At night, wear them with your best heels.

With less spending money than usual to invest in your holiday party looks, shoes may be the place to scrimp. The popular thrift store chain Savers provides an endless supply of solid-colored pumps for less than $5.

If you are willing to overcome the idea that those pumps have been worn by another pair of anonymous feet, you can find incredible deals on shoes.

If vintage shoe shopping does not suit you, try H&M and Forever 21 for the best steals. Find a pair of heeled ankle-length boots, a staple for this winter. Tall heels covered in patent leather or satin, topped with ankle straps and bow details are my pick for nighttime.

If you're looking to invest in a look suitable for both day and night, try a slim pencil skirt with a sheer ruffled blouse or a thin sweater tucked in. Alligator print accessories and large, fake gems will reflect the fun of the holiday season.

The sequins that blanket the season's best party dresses will glitter next to a Christmas tree. If you aren't feeling quite audacious enough to dress entirely in sequins, try a short necklace with a few big faux stones in it to spice up last year's New Year's dress.

In these more somber times, darker colors are seeing an even greater return this winter, as black dominates the runways across the board. Long gloves and even longer hemlines demonstrate modern designers' admiration for the simple elegance of the past.

The details of this season's collections vastly reflect the polish and sophistication of our Depression Era fashion predecessors, yet they manage to translate surprisingly well onto the modern stage. The Winter 2008-2009 season is homage to a time 70 years past, when while mired in similar uncertainty, fashion took on a centralized role in providing a bit of much-needed spirit.