The Era Of The 1920s

The 20s was a time of changing and reinventing. At this time some sports were just starting out, others were broadening their horizons, while others were simply becoming more popular. New heroes were emerging in sports, new teams, and even new leagues. In the 1920's, there were many famous movies and movie actors. This was a time when films really began to become a popular past time, to watch and to star in. Also a new music style came about in the roaring twenties called jazz.

Before the 1920’s, women’s attire was considered fairly modern. Women would have worn clothing with more of a silhouette than clothing that was loose and flowy. The length of their dresses never revealed more of their leg than just their ankle. Women received bad reputations when showing their knees or even their calfs. Women in the 1920’s also had a different ideal figure than most women do today. The body types women wanted to achieve also transformed into a more feminine look. This look consisted of low bust lines, higher hems lines, and showing off more curves than ever before. These women became unapologetically fearless.

Many of the trends from the Roaring Twenties were set or seen at the parties thrown by the rich such as Gatsby did in the novel. Many of the trends were fashion, especially women, music, and dances. Fashion had changed a lot after and during the war. Dress making and custom styles were beginning to break out. New textures and patterns created the 1920’s style. For women many more options were now acceptable. A daring new style of skirts and dresses worn above the knee were popular. “1920's Dresses were lighter and brighter and shorter than ever before” (1920's Womens Fashion). Jewelry and many other embellishments were added now more than ever. “An increased sense of freedom was expressed in simple yet elegant designs, with carefully selected fabrics, and an intelligent use of color” (1920's Womens Fashion).

The 1920’s are referred to as the roaring twenties because so many major changes were occurring and society was quickly advancing. America was controlling most of the foreign investment by this time and was producing the majority of cars being produced. Also workers salary’s rose. The rise in salaries made it possible for half of the American population to own a car. Also entertainment was changing significantly. Due to the rise in salaries people were able to purchase radios, attend movies or sporting event. The music being produced changed as well, Jazz became a very popular genre of music. Appliances in home also helped to make living more efficient. For example, laundry machines were created so people did not have to wash laundry by hand

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

Women in the 1930’s were expected to dress in a certain way and style. For females in the 1930’s it was unusual for them to be seen in any other piece of clothing besides a dress. “ You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady! You’ll grow up waiting

“In any era, fashion is a reflection of the time and what is going on in the culture politically, socially and economically.”1 The 1920’s witnessed a variety of dramatic changes for women; these changes, such as shorter dresses and stronger attitudes occurred primarily after World War I in spite of the prolonged development of women 's’ rights through 1914 and 1920. With their new hair, fashion styles, and attitudes, women had started what became known as the “Flapper Era”.

The 1920 fashions were mainly about rebellion. For the women flapper dresses. It was a sack-like form that was either very short or very long. It was made for dancing in. Women wore their hair in a pageboy style hair cut. Coats were very popular only because the women could hide many illegal bottles inside of them. In the beginning of the 1920s the wore knickers. Then in the later 1920s they started wearing sleek

Women’s role in the 1920s’ changed greatly because they were allowed new political freedoms along with freedoms in clothing along with hairstyles. Women were finally allowed to vote after 72 years of struggling to be heard.’ "We've come really far, really fast," said Jane Beseler, director of development for the La Crosse County Historical Society. "This generation of young women doesn't realize it because they've reaped the benefits of the women before them.’ (Lang print). Along with this new right, women started wearing shorter dresses; they wore clothes that made them look more boyish. Moving away from Victorian style, they wore shorter dresses and chopped their hair off into what is known as a bob. Dancing with their new “short” dresses gave many parents a heart attack. Not only were their daughters showing more skin than previous generations, they were flaunting it to men for attention. Along with engaging in smoking cigarettes and drinking, women showed that they were now equal to the males

Women’s fashion in this decade was more conservative than the 1920s, but was still revealing. The feminine look was coming back since clothes returned to the natural waistline. The hemline of most outfits and dresses

Women's fashion during this time period reflected off the liberation movement, the first world war, and the start of prohibition. Which opened a window for clothing designer resulting in innovative styles. Designers could now test new fabrics, colors, and textures.

Before the 1920’s, women’s attire was considered fairly modern. Women would have worn clothing with more of a silhouette than clothing that was loose and flowy. The length of their dresses never revealed more of their leg than just their ankle. Women received bad reputations when showing their knees or even their calfs. Women in the 1920’s also had a different ideal figure than most women do today. The body types women wanted to achieve also transformed into a more feminine look. This look consisted of low bust lines, higher hems lines, and showing off more curves than ever before. These women became unapologetically fearless.

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)

Women’s fashion through the 1900s to the 1980s has influenced modern day fashion immensely. From the modest dresses and simple attire to the glitzy, glam of the 80s with mini skirts, the fashion throughout the years has constantly changed.

Throughout the 1920s through the 1950s Women’s clothing in America was affected by World War II, which lead to the exploration of different styles, the encounter of new trends and the exchange of ideas and new styles.