Actress Norma Talmadge became known for wearing a flapper look. Here she is in an embellished gown.
The 1920s brought about the modern era of dress. Women began to dress for more comfort and wearability compared to decades past. With the women’s suffrage movement resulting in the 19th amendment being passed in the United States and giving women the right to vote, there was now a new freedom for women both politically and in their wardrobes. There seemed to be a cultural gap between the young, “new woman” of the 1920s and the older generation that was used to prim and proper, Victorian era looks. At first, these styles would be seen as shocking, but as time progressed, the public embraced the new fashions of the 1920s. Below, we highlight some major fashion trends from the decade including flapper dresses, swimsuits and lingerie.
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THE FLAPPER DRESS
Joan Crawford seen in a 1920s dress.
The decade also saw a change in silhouettes for women. Gone were the constricting silhouettes of the Victorian era, and now a young woman called the flapper girl had emerged with a boyish haircut and wearing a straight and loose dress with waistlines at the hips. The flapper silhouettes also seemed to embrace more “boyish” figures as the bust was more flattened than accentuated with these long shift dress styles.
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1920S LINGERIE – THE CHEMISE & STOCKINGS
A woman in the 1920s wearing a chemise garment and stockings
As with the bob haircut, the 1920s gave women freedom with the undergarments too. The chemise–as an all in one lingerie item became popularized. And as hemlines rise, stockings were seen worn more often. The invention of the silk alternative rayon allowed women of all social statuses able to afford pantyhose.
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1920S SWIMWEAR
Swimsuit brand Jantzen found success in the 290s with their sleek, form-fitting bathing suits.
Doing away with the cumbersome petticoats of the earlier 1900s, the 1920s saw a more sleek and modern swimsuit made of wool. The bathing suit brand Jantzen was known for their logo which featured a diving girl in a snappy red ensemble. The image became famous worldwide during the twentieth century.
A group of eight girls wear the 1920s swimwear of the time.
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1920S FASHION IN FILM/TELEVISION
1920s fashion still lives on in modern-day film and television. Multiple adaptations of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and HBO’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’ celebrate the decades new style.
‘The Great Gatsby’ novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald is notably referenced when it comes to 1920s fashion. A still from the 1974 film adaptation with Mia Farrow (playing Daisy Buchanan) and Robert Redford shows off style of the time. Farrow wears a a cloche hat and the new silhouette of the 1920s in white.
In 2013, Baz Luhrmann updated the ‘The Great Gatsby’ for modern times. Actress Carey Mulligan played the role of Daisy. Her short hair and flapper style dress is reminiscent of 1920s fashion.
HBO’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’ took a look at 1920s fashion with its 2010 debut. Here is actress Gretchen Mol wearing a 1920s style day dress and pinned up hairstyle.
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1920S FASHION TODAY
Many designers today still look towards the 1920s for inspiration. The flapper dress has had many reincarnations throughout the years. The shift dress also got its start in the decade.
