How Did The Cloche Hats Become Popular In The 1920s

A “bob” hat advertisement similar to this one would be a familiar sight to many women during the 1920s. During this time period, the bob hat or cloche became a classic. The cloche was bell shaped at the top and had decorative additions such as feathers, geometric shapes, and flowers, which would showcase a woman’s demeanor. As said on vintagedancer.com, there were other accessories that women wore on their heads such as wrapped turbans, short crown straw hats, and an array of different headbands. These hair accessories became popular during the 1920s because of the way it worked with new hairstyles such as the bob. A cloche’s structure would frame the face of the women who wore them. In many cases women would not leave a store without ensuring

The 1920’s fashion was a period of liberation, change, and even more importantly a movement towards the modern era. Fashion in the 1920’s varied throughout the decade but one could see the noticeable change from the previous fashion statements and eras. At the start of the decade, women began emancipating themselves from the constricting fashions by wearing more comfortable apparel. As women gained more rights and World War I forced them to become more independent, flappers came to be, mass-produced garments became available, and artistic movements increased in popularity, one can see how the fashions from the roaring twenties characterized the time and redefined womanhood. (1920s clothing 1)

The "flapper girl" trend peaked in 1926, leaving materials such as silk, chiffons, georgettes, crepes, and voiles in high demand. Beads, sequins, and feathers also adorned the fashionable dresses. Coco Chanel, a role model for the flapper, provided many styles, including the popular single strand of pearls. Corsets were no longer popular, but instead the "sexless" figure was favored. Scarfs were often draped over the shoulders if one could not afford a dead fox neck piece. However, the one thing that distinguished the flapper from anyone else was the bobbed haircut. Although, efforts were made to revive long hair, the bob remained stylish.

Another new concept the flappers shocked the world with was short, bobbed hair. Long hair represented elegance and respect, but “flappers had no time for elaborate hairdos” (Fashion . . . through the Ages 1). Many of them would wear their hair in small waves called “marcels,” named after the man who invented them, Marcel Greateau. Sometimes they would pin the hair back with another new invention called a bobby pin, which is still in use today. The shorter hair added to the “boyish look” that the flappers wanted. They would also wear newsboy caps and bras that made their chests look smaller, because big chests were considered ladylike. The flappers liked to believe that they were the complete opposite of ladylike. The center of attention was the desired goal.

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.

Women’s fashion was a social controversy in the 1920’s. This controversy was influenced by women’s clothing, swimwear, hairstyles, makeup, and attitude alone. This attire and new found character traits added a certain attitude and confidence to these women, starting what would eventually be remembered as a revolution.

Cloche Hats. To show the short hair (a close fitting cloche is the only chose for hair that was short and flat.)—affected the body posture (“it was pulled well over the eyes which meant young women held their heads at a specific angle in order to see where they were going.”)

During the great California Gold Rush and before there was coal oil, kerosene or carbide there was only candlelight. This is a "Sticking Tommy" candlestick. It is iron, made by a blacksmith, and dates to around 1850. These were used during the early days of hard rock mining. The curved hook in the center was used to "stick" the Tommy onto one's hat. Before hard hats, miners wore soft hats. The Tommy could easily be stuck in the hat and then provide arm free lighting while the miner carried his tools and walked to the work site within the mine. Once the miner reached the site, he could then take out the Tommy. If one of the miners needed light in a specific area they could take the Tommy and jab it into a wooden support beam or crevice. The

Her dress was that of 18th century garments. The frilled cap was probably a Bavolette which “was a ribbon frill at the back of the bonnet. Its purpose was covering the neck, which was considered an erogenous zone in the mid-19th century” (History of Hats for Women). The Bavolette

Flappers were women of the new decade who were known to assert themselves in society and began to create their own identities. They started to drink and smoke in public, and talked about sex openly, all of which were highly frowned upon during this time. While smoking, a woman might wear a Turkish-inspired “smoking suit” along with a turban. They began cutting their hair shorter into bobs, which was often considered boyish. Fashion designer Coco Chanel and actress Louise Brooks helped to popularize this look. The style became the staple hairstyle of the flapper. Aspects of menswear were also inserted into women’s fashion, with looks such as tailored vests and pants, but were prohibited in some areas. This boyish look was often referred to as the “garconne” look.

In 1914 till 1918, the years of the war, factory work was being done by women in order to help produce for the war. This meant that caps were worn due to the factories being dirty and it provided the hair with some protection. The

Want to look stylish? Ladies, we all know it is all about the fashion. Now, don't be an old fogey, read this and you will be the coolest girl at those speakeasies. It's 1925 and the world has not seen this coming. This big fashion boom! We have changed from the old generation. Now that old saying “Out with the old and in with the new actually makes sense. With our lovely designer, Coco Chanel not only making the jewelry, but inspiringly making clothes that we all adore. She has carved the way out for fashion. Not only her, but many other fashion stars have made these years great, especially with the new design- a flapper. Flappers are the new it. If you call yourself a flapper, we automatically know you're bold, you're fierce. you have confidence,

In 1939 World War II took place and our loving husbands, fathers, sons left to fight. This left many jobs empty causing women to fill those vacancies. Women are not only working fields at home but they’re working in factories and government offices. By the mid-1940s at least 90 percent of women were working. Doing housework, cooking, and working the women at this time had to adjust their look. Resources were limited during this time. Makeup and hair accessories were limited and women had to abide by the rules. These new looks consisted of hair being pinned and put away. This allowed women to wear their hats/uniforms in a professional and safe manner. Can you imagine working in a factory and your long beautiful hair

It was a bright, crisp, mellow morning in April. I, being the untalented and unwilling hair stylist that I am, decided that getting dolled up wasn’t exactly going to slide into my schedule this morning. Instead, I declined the idea and rummaged around for another alternative that was probably buried under a pile of bobby pins and hair combs. Postliminary, I discovered the only item that would shelter my bedhead from onlookers - a fashionable headscarf. Naturally and skillfully, I wrapped my unkempt hair and headed to my National History Day practice that I was already pressed for time for. I’ve always been keen on the idea and look of headscarves, and I’ve always believed that headscarves were admirable and a unique accessory, and seeing that

Around 1947, after the end of World War II that Christian Dior introduced “Kings” style. This style gave a sense of luxury to Americans and was very classy. The women began to wear formal dresses that had delicate necklines. The women were also introduced to stylish hats and distinctive hairstyles with curls. The men’s style didn’t see many changes expect that the war jackets were now distant, and they followed a narrow shoulder and hip pattern in everything they wore (“Brief History”).