Flappers, Fashion and Cars By: Sofia Ballester, Olivia Arcuri, Micaela Cardalda, Damasia Maffi and Isabella Carneiro

Fashion Clothing developed closer relationships with art, and freedom was expressed in simple yet elegant designs, with carefully selected fabrics, and an intelligent use of colour.

Clothes The young flappers didn’t wear the same models of clothes and fashion that people used to wear. During the 1920s, fashion for young women focused less on female physical form. Dresses stopped at the knees, the hiplines were lowered, and the neckline of the dress was very low. Flappers wore stockings, which they often wore rolled over a garter belt The look was basically "tubular”.

Formal dress As with all the female fashion during the 1920s, the evening dress progressed to display more of the body. The neckline became low-cut. Backless dresses were very popular throughout the twenties. An important part of the evening gown during the twenties was the beading. The long straps of the backless dresses (if not the entire dress) featured beaded chiffon fabrics.

Accessories The cloche hat became a necessity for daytime wear. The small hat was used over short hair and almost reached to the eyebrows. It was often decorated with a pin in the front or a ribbon. Some accessories were: Aviators, colored scarfs, goggles, and leather jackets, shoes, jewlery, earings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Flapper’s Behaviour In the 1920s, a new woman was born. She smoked, drank, danced, went out at night and voted. She would cut her hair, wear make-up, and go to parties. She wore daring clothes and took risks. In urban areas more women took on jobs. With money of their own, working women became particular target of advertising. Women were less likely to stay in unhappy marriages, divorces were doubled.

Men’s Attire Some men used to wear the sack suit. Colored shirts of putty, peach, blue gray and cedar were worn. A tail coat was considered appropriate formal evening wear, accompanied by a top hat. Starched white shirts were expected to be worn with the tail coat. Bow ties and shirts with white wing collars were also seen. Tuxedos were not yet completely acceptable Trousers were originally made of flannel and appeared in shades of biscuit, silver gray, fawn, blue gray, and pearl gray.

Most Popular Fabrics Tweed cloth became popular at this time. Tweel refers to hand- woven wool fabric from the Scottish highlands and islands. Flannel was the other popular fabric of the era. It was originally made as a heavy, comfortable and soft. Flannel trousers were traditionally worn in warm weather.

Jazz and Fashion Jazz clothing passed quickly in and out of fashion during the twenties. It was considered an expression of passion for jazz music. Jackets were long and tight-waisted with long back vents. The buttons were placed close together. Trousers were tight and skinny.