Reaching the apex of its heyday over an incredible 10-year span, the Roaring Twenties was a decade ushered in by a wave of modernity, which redefined fashion as a form of personal expression. This period was defined by a newfound sense of freedom that changed global trends, creating a style that would shape generations to come.
1. Dressing for the Jazz Age: The “Roaring Twenties”
The Jazz Age of the Roaring Twenties was an age of flapper girls, fashion and flashiness. While the clothing of the era was glamorous, it had some unique style elements.
- The female silhouette was boyish and slimmer than ever before.
- Indulgent and long feathers were used in headpieces, hats, and as accessories, often in bright and contrasting colours.
- Sequins and beads were used to provide extra embellishment to clothing, giving it an ornamental texture.
- Fringes were a mainstay of this era, found on dresses and other accessories.
Shoes were particularly unique. Heels were higher than ever before, often towering five inches tall. Furthermore, the legs were exposed to onlookers in evening gowns, and as such, meticulous attention was given to the ankles with the use of brightly coloured stockings and sheers.
The trend of extravagant and bold accessories continued with necklaces, chokers, and long earrings. This was a time when wristwatches were in their infancy and considered to be something a bit more special than the traditional time-piece.
2. From Flapper Frocks to Tasseled Dresses: Exploring 1920s Fashion Trends
The 1920s have been fondly remembered as the Era of Style. This key decade of the twentieth century was defined by a unique fashion aesthetic – women’s waists recreated as a flapper look, boyish silhouettes and iconic tasseled dresses. Let’s examine the fashion trends throughout the 1920s to gain divergent perspectives of fashion at the time.
Flapper Frocks: The fashion of this decade was far removed from the traditional corseted looks of the Victorian era. A key feature of this look was the classic flapper dress. This dress was designed to accentuate a woman’s natural body-shape with layers of loose fabric, minimal corsets and distinctive fringe designs. By wearing a flapper dress, women could easily transition between various social settings.
Tasseled Dresses: Meanwhile, tasseled dresses represented modern style and had an air of sophistication. Created with a more restrictive bodice, this dress used draping tapes to pull in the fabric and cleverly form a woman’s body shape. Tasseled dresses usually featured a lightweight, chiffon-like material, which easily cascaded down the length of the body.
Accessories: Accessories only amplified the power of the clothing. In the 1920s, hats, beadwork, jewelry and shoes all played role in creating a signature look. Women had a number of different options to choose from:
- Cloche hats – a rounded snug-fitting hat with soft material
- Long gloves – elegant and often made from silk or velvet
- Chunky jewelry – inspired by 1920s Art Deco
- Beadwork – incorporated into clothing and handbags
- T-Strap shoes – for a more casual evening style
While 1920s fashion focused on creating a lean androgynous silhouette, beauty was still an integral part of this look. Women paid close attention to fine details, such as hand-sewing beads and well-polished jewelry. 1920s fashion is still celebrated today, for its high-impact yet timeless look.
3. Bending the Gender Lines: Masculine Styles for Women Take a Leisurely Stroll
Today’s fashion world is a dynamic and colorful one, with a lot of choices that didn’t exist for female-identified individuals even a few decades ago. Women can now choose to flaunt anything from slim-fitted trousers to boxy suits and even traditionally masculine-associated colors.
There’s something empowering about stomping around town donning a tuxedo, the look augmented with a pair of classic black docs. Or adding a vibrant edge to a grey-washed ensemble with a bright oversized tie. But more than giving a boost of confidence, blurring gender lines can give females a chance to express themselves in entirely new, creative ways.
At the same time, it’s important to recognize the impact of androgynous trends on society. There’s a movement for increased gender awareness and equality – and while reversing a historical power imbalance might seem difficult, personal style can be an effective tool in creating a more gender-egalitarian future.
- Developing an individual, androgynous style can challenge how onlookers assign gender.
- This, in turn, can be a way to increase dialogue around relevant issues.
- Choosing to break societal conventions is an important way to show one’s values.
The way a person dresses can make a statement – and, ultimately, change the world.
4. Hats Off to the Accessories: Making a Fashion Statement
Every fashionista knows how important it is to have the perfect accessories to complete any look. From aviators to pearl earrings, there is a piece of accessory to suit all styles. And let’s not forget one of the most important accessories of all, hats.
Hats come in all shapes and sizes and can help take any outfit from drab to fab. Whether you’re heading out for a night with friends, or going to the office, a hat is the perfect way to instantly elevate your look. From the classic fedora to a quirky beanie, you can find a hat to match every mood and every occasion.
- Fedoras: Timeless and chic, fedoras are the perfect addition to any ‘jeans and a nice top’ outfit.
- Trilbys: Great for the summer months, trilbys are perfect for adding a stylish touch to a casual day look.
- Cloche: For that 1920s style, nothing beats a sparkly cloche hat, with just the right touch of vintage.
Wear yours with oversized sunglasses, and you’re guaranteed to look fabulous. With a hat in your wardrobe, you’ll never need to worry about looking anything less than fashionable.
5. A Happening of Heady Times: Why the 1920s Redefined Fashion
The 1920s was a revolutionary time for fashion, leaving an impact that continues to be felt today. It marked a transition from the stiffly constructed outfits of the previous century to new, looser silhouettes and the prevalence of casualwear.
It saw an unprecedented focus on silhouette and accessories, such as:
- Guitar-Throated Silhouette: 1920s fashion featured a new column-like silhouette that was constructed by combining skirts with drop-waist hemlines and a deep V-neck.
- Headband Accessory: Lustrous fabrics such as velvet, fur and velvet, and sequins were the mainstays of 1920s fashion. Headbands were also popular accessories for day and evening wear.
- Simple Shoes: A key shift in 1920s fashion was the move away from complicated footwear and towards sleek, low-profile silhouettes, such as strap closures, flat heels, and two-tone designs.
These new silhouettes and accessories represented a lifestyle that was seen as modern and forward-thinking. The casual confidence exuded by individuals wearing 1920s fashion was potent and influential in reshaping the future of fashion.
Overall, the 1920s was a happening of heady times with fashion, with many obstacles to overcome. But it was also a transformative moment that shifted fashion’s trajectory to a more relaxed and individualistic approach.
As the 1920s came to a close, a new era in fashion was ushered in, and this decade of dynamic fashion continues to influence modern-day style. The twenties redefined expectations of beauty, and opened the door to a truly unique fashion experience, one that is still cherished today.
