How Did Fashion Change In The 1920's

The Vanity Fair images showed the typical flapper, who were known for their bobbed hair, excessive makeup and costume jewelry.45 Instead of dark stockings, she wore flesh-colored stockings that exposed the leg, especially since hemlines were up six to ten inches above the ankle. Instead of high laced shoes, the flapper wore low pumps that showed off her ankles. Although, what the images fail to show was the shame that young flappers brought to their society.6 These “Flapper” behaviors were not the “normal traditional lady like behaviors” that were seen before World War I, instead of the traditional housewives and mother’s the society became used to, flappers listened to jazz music, danced, drank alcohol,

The style and cut of women's clothing during the 1920's changed drastically. Waistlines dropped dramatically while hemlines rose scandalously. Turned-down hose were no longer black, but beige. Rouged knees, bobbed hair, and figureless figures characterized the "radical flappers". These women violated many of the rules dictating appropriate clothing and behavior for women. The

Thanks to Coco Chanel, the iconic flapper image most closely associated with the roaring twenties came about. The flapper and flapper image didn’t actually come to be until around 1926 and even then was only in style for about three years. Typical flappers were women who appeared to have a bold attitude and were independent women who didn’t adhere to the previously innocent housewife image. A flapper usually had a bob haircut, a shorter than average dress, a flat chest, wore tons of make-up, drank illegal alcohol, smoked with a long cigarette holder, exposed her limbs and danced the Charleston. This was a drastic change from the typical American housewife to the reckless rebel. The flapper dresses stressed above the knee hemlines and construed straight, sleek shapes. This was the first time in centuries women’s legs were being seen in a garment. (1920s Fashion 1) Flappers loved to jazz up their costume and even their image. Many flappers’ dresses were adorned with jewels and intricate beading. The main object of the flapper image was to appear almost boyish rather than looking feminine. (1920s clothing 1)

Fashion in the early nineteen twenties was all about comfort. Men’s pants got wider and women stopped wearing their corsets and tight dresses, while older women of the age considered this scandalous and still held the thought that women should not show their ankle. Though the majority of adults disagreed with the fashion revolution, young women continually hiked up their skirts, stayed out late, and kept up with fashion trends. Times were changing, and thus the flapper age was born. Hemlines rose to the knee, and then later above it- exposing the muscular dancer’s legs-toned

One of the most changes was the "new look" for young women. The Flapper Era entered America. Ladies did the unthinkable in cutting their long hair to chin length bobs, smoking, wearing shorter dresses and even engaging in premarital sex. Traditional women were horrified at these loose morals and daring behavior. They pushed to stop the women reformers who pushed for legalized birth control. They spoke against the sensual behavior of young women. At this time marriage decreased and divorce increased because women became more independent

As Coco Chanel quotes: “Fashion is an architecture: It is a matter of proportion.” Fashion during the Harlem Renaissance and the roaring 20s define the culture of males, females, whites & blacks.

One of the most iconic changes that occured in the 1920s was the change in women's wardrobes and lifestyle. Before the 1920s, the traditional woman’s

At the time women were expected to be the perfect house wife and mother. But society began to change as the economy grew and need more women in the workplace. Especially after the war, women continued to support their families with their jobs. With independence for women in their careers, there was also a totally different life with many different flappers. During this time, many youth and youth culture began to see a change in dancing, music, and in fashion.

The 1920s was known as the “roaring twenties” because of the vast changes that took place in society. After the war ended, 3 Republican presidents of the 1920s all had conservative ideals in improving American economy. They were all pro-business but still believed that the businesses could grow without having to interfere; laissez-faire. Also, US victory in the war led to a great deal of nationalism. This was a time period when many inventions were made, and changes in America’s finance industry allowed more people to buy these products.

In the 1920s, a new woman was born. These women were called Flappers. Flappers were women who cut their hair short, wore short dresses, smoke, drank, and went to parties. These women basically did anything men did. They were willing to take risks. The ideal flapper was described as “lovely, expensive and about nineteen.” Flappers would go out with a man by her side to look after them all night. The older generation were angered by these women because many young girls saw these so called flappers as role models with their suggestive clothing and attitudes.

They also began using makeup and cutting their hair short. The flappers were claiming a new statement that women are free to explore who they are without being restricted to the things they can wear. Fashion is an art that has been around for centuries. From the early 19th century to now, fashion is constantly changing, along with society. Every one person has a certain style they gravitate towards.

In the 1920’s women began to be much more open about their emotions, especially their sexuality. They started wearing shorter dresses and skirts and when it came to men they were not afraid to have affairs or even stand up to them. Even the way women danced showed others whether or not they were

Young women went through a drastic change in fashion. “In the rebellious, pleasure-loving atmosphere of the twenties, many women began to assert their independence, reject the values of the 19th century, and demand the same freedom as men.” (Danzer, 440) The women felt as if both they and the men should have the same qualities. During the 1920s there was a new name for the women; flapper.

The more freedom women gained, the more their clothing became less restrictive. The hemlines were being raised higher and lower, the fashionable shape for women was the boyish look not only that but women’s hair styles changed and the bob become more popular. The 1920s was the decade that women’s silhouette took on an emancipated look that came in the form of their less restrictive

The 1920s was a period of change and reform in many things ranging from entertainment, consumerism, and fashion. Fashion, one of the greatest changes in the 1920s was influenced by designers such as Coco Chanel, Jean Patou, Clara Bow, also known as the “It Girl” all influenced fashion for both women and men in the 20s. Previously, women had to behave polite and modestly and had to wear long dresses down to the ankles. But some women started to go past those social boundaries that were set by society. These women would go to speakeasies and smokes in public. The women who did these things are referred to as flappers. Men and some women saw flappers as a disgrace and were disgusted by their way of living. Slowly, as the years began to pass, women such as Coco Chanel, Jean Patou, and Clara Bow came into the fashion and entertainment industry changing the fashion and women’s ideas.