Fashion in the 1920s Harley Chase, Victoria Powers, Ashley Sarno, Jan Donato, & Julie Tonuzi

Women’s Fashion of the 1920s  The end of World War I, the success of the stock market, and the growth of the women’s rights movement brought about great change in women’s fashion.  Drastic changes such as the use of bright colors and rising hem lines were seen in increased quantities.  Women’s attire began to become more conformable and less formal with items such as shorter skirts and even trousers.  However, these drastic changes in women’s images were not accepted at first glace. It took quite a while for the public to express approval towards the new women’s fashion.

Women’s Fashion Changes  Women for the first time, wore sports wear regularly.  The style had shifted into a much more masculine look.  The ideal body image of the time was a ‘boyish figure’.  To accentuate this style women wore tubular dresses with shorted shirts that allowed movement.  Women also bobbed their hair and veered away from large brimmed hats to close fitting crocheted caps or none at all.

 The corset seen in past decades was eliminated and replaced by camisoles and bloomers  The modern bra was introduced and became very popular.  Less restricting clothing and undergarments made it easier for women to participate in recreational activities such as dancing, driving cars, and playing sorts.  As a result of the rising hemlines, shoes and hosiery became increasingly important to women’s fashion.  T-strap were the shoe of choice for most women. They paired these with stockings of an assortment of colors made of Silk, Rayon, and other materials.  Long necklaces and lavish furs were worn by countless women.

Influence on Women’s Fashion in the 1920s  Flappers were the trendy young "liberated" and fashion conscious women of the 1920s.  They were seen as rebellious for exposing their arms, shortening their hair, and wearing dark make up.  Coco Channel was one of the first to wear trousers and cut her hair. She was the most influential woman in fashion in the 1920s. Flapper Coco Channel

Early 1920’s Menswear  In the early twenties, men's fashion seems to have been greatly influenced by the uniforms worn by the military during the First World War  They wore extremely high waisted jackets.  Lapels on suit jackets were not very wide as they tended to be buttoned up high.  Pants were relatively narrow, straight, and short; sometimes cuffed at the bottom.

Late 1920’s Menswear  By 1925, jackets went back to normal lengths, but “Oxford Bags” came into fashion.  Oxford Bags were wide pants.  Double-breasted vests, usually worn with a single- breasted jacket, also became popular.  During the 1920s, men had a variety of sport clothes available to them, including sweaters and short trousers, known as knickers.  For evening wear men preferred the short tuxedo to the tail.

Men’s Hats  The type of hats men wore depended on their class.  Upper class men wore top hats.  Middle class men wore fedoras.  Working class men wore newsboy caps or no hats at all.  In the summer, both upper and middle class men wore straw boaters.

Girl’s Fashion  Girls were always restricted to cover everything, so when they got the chance to make a change they did.  During this era they changed to short, loose dresses made of cotton.  Summer shoes were usually canvas, making them much lighter than the hard boots of the Victorian age.  In winter, a heavy sailor suit or a serge skirt worn with a sweater could be accompanied by a matching beret. A knitted suit went underneath and had attachments for holding up long stockings.  Most girls now kept their hair very short.  Ribbons were very popular!

Boy’s Fashion  Knee-length trousers year-round.  Over time they gradually grew shorter.  In summer they wore ankle socks with canvas shoes or sandals and in winter they wore heavy socks.  They also wore knitted pullovers and cardigans.  School wear was suit jackets and ties, but these were much less restrictive than before.