The timeline of the 1920s fashion brought many people opportunity and prosperity but it was not the same for all. Most people were attracted to automobiles and ready to wear clothing. The fashion took a blend of western era in the 1920s. When talking about the 1920 era, you would think of glamorous flapper dresses. 

The clothing in this time period was made more easy to style, simple, casual and more practical than before. The major impact was on women’s fashion as they enjoyed the new found freedom in terms of clothing. The styles meant be more simple even for those who sewed their own clothing. If you want to know more about 1920s Fashion, here we will discuss its history, top picks from the 1920s, how to style them, fashion icons of the 1920s and more. 

1920s Fashion Overview 

1920s Fashion emerged as a result of war’s post societal change. This time period saw the biggest changes in the fashion world, especially in terms of women for their role post WW1. After the end of world war 1 women ditched the traditional corsets and started opting for more comfortable and practical garments. 

Looking at the history, the fashion industry has experienced some of the most drastic changes. 

1920s Fashion marked the beginning of modern fashion and a complete contrast to the matronly lines of the edwardian Gibson girl. Several cultural movements surfaced from some of the major cities, for example, the decadent ‘bright young things’ in London Society or the New Orleans jazz movement. Give a look at these pictures to get a more closer view of 1920s Fashion: 

History of 1920s Fashion

The early part of the 20th century i.e. experienced smoke of the drastic changes both politically and in terms of fashion. The first world war and the horrendous outbreak of Spanish Influenza were hugely significant events that we still feel the impact of today. The major change that was seen was women giving votes in the year 1919. The year between 1920 to 1929 was regarded as the year of prosperity- this is what we now call the time period of the roaring 20s. 

Socioeconomic changes can also be tracked through changes in fashion and style. This time period experienced some of the drastic changes in fashion and the outbreak of changing clothing and fashion became more practical. The arrival of silent movie stars and the music from New Orleans also referred to as the Jazz age began.

In the 1920s, women experienced more freedom of the world and experienced the life beyond home making that the war had offered and this reflected more simpler and practical clothing. No curves, higher hemlines, a flat silhouette and an emphasis on youth. It was more than the cloche hats and drop pants, it was an era of change and explosion. 

1920s Fashion: Silhouettes and Boyish Look 

At the start of 1902s, the women’s silhouettes wore no shape or detailing and were strongly referred to as the ‘S’ shaped era. The major misconception about the 1920 era was that women needed to be thin, which is not true. It is about being healthy and athletic- hence the clothing also depends on them. The hair trend was more focused on the bob cut. The fashion revolution focused on the need of seeking gender equality among both genders.

The waistline in the1920s started loose where it was expected to be and in the next few years the placement of trousers became more down as compared. By 1925 the look was totally flat, rectangular and hems were to mid calf – the boyish look had arrived. The designs that were created were heavily influenced by the deco-art movements and were heavily inspired by the creative cutting edge techniques and a-symmetric shapes. Over the years, the design became more feminine and flattering despite the lack of waist. 

The Flappers 

The embroidered flappers from the 1920s represented freedom. She was carefree and full of freedom from which the older generation was horrified! The fashion representation was more youthful and represented breaking boundaries. The hairs were kept short, high hemline, and the face adorned with a significant amount of makeup. These were adventurous, women breaking boundaries. 

The fashion reflected different people’s views on them. For many, it was a heavily decorated and beaded dress with a high hemline and low neckline. The flapper reflected in the women’s way of free spirit and the ability to live without any boundaries. The women wanted to stand out for which there wasn’t a singular style. How could there be one?

Chanel 

One of the first women to reject the traditional corset and cut her hair short was Coco Chanel. She was probably the most influential women of the 1920s , the 3 piece consisting of a pleated skirt, belted jumper and loosely cut jacket. She also popularized the little black dress alongside the oversized costume jewelry. 

Art Deco

 As we track the 1920s fashion we can also see the reflection of the Art Deco movement in the outfits. The simpler shapes and patterns for the 1920s fashion and gladly the Art Deco movement provided them. 

Varying Hem Lengths and A-Symmetry

The varying dress length was a noticeable aspect during the timeline of 1920s fashion. The hem length descended down till the ankle in 1923 and the dress length went up to knee in the year 1928. The designers tend to make their designs more complex so that no other person can copy that. They added certain patterns and complex cuttings that were not easy to copy. 

Change in Men’s Fashion During 1920s 

Men’s fashion did not change very drastically. The overall dressed up and buttoned up look became more trendy. For professional wear the overall buttoned suit became more popular. The suits were designed in such a way that they complemented the look of veterans of World War 1. The British suits became wider and looser with a loose-fitting, double-breasted jacket, matching vest, and high-waisted trousers, worn with a white shirt.

In the United States, the suits became more structured and looser with striped patterns all over them both in the shirt and the suit fabric. College students popularized the “Ivy League” look, with a slimmer fit, and longer, single-breasted jacket. The hairs were keep longer on the top and shorter on the sides. It had to be in place and was ofen combed with a greasy hair product. Some preferred white or light colored flannel suits during the summer. Here are some photos to get an idea about men’s fashion in the 1920s:

Tips to Get Started With 1920s Fashion

The 1920s were a time of bold fashion and new freedom, with key elements including:

Women’s clothing: Women’s clothing was often loose and revealing, with shorter hemlines and more layers of light fabric. Popular styles included:

• Flapper dresses: Knee-length, loose dresses with fringe and beading
• Tassel dresses: Long dresses with low necklines and short sleeves, or shorter dresses with draping material
• Sheath dresses: Versatile dresses that could be dress up or down
• Sequin dresses: Shimmering dresses with sequins, beading, and fringing
• Coats: Fur coats were a status symbol, with the most popular having a fur collar
• Hats: Cloche hats were a popular accessory
• Hair: The bob was a popular, short haircut

Men’s clothing: Men’s clothing became less formal, with two-button jackets and plus-fours becoming popular

• Fabrics: Light, airy textiles were more popular
• Accessories: Feather boas, pearls, and headbands were popular statement pieces 

Style Icons of 1920s Fashion

Some of the most notable fashion designers of the 1920s include:

• Coco Chanel: A pioneer of modern fashion, Chanel’s designs challenged the norms of her time. She introduced the little black dress, versatile separates, and the Chanel suit. 

• Paul Poiret: Know for his neoclassic and “oriental-ish” creations, Poiret’s designs were cut along straight lines and rectangular motifs. 

• Jean Patou: Patou’s style was know for its originality and simplicity, and he became famous in the American markets. 

• Jeanne Lanvin: A prominent French designer of the 1920s. 

Conclusion 

The traces of fashion trends often come back in the modern era sooner or later. Hence, knowing about all the trends is very essential for keeping up with the trends. In this article, we have discussed all the information related to 1920s fashion. 

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