Fashion For Women in the 1920s

Summary and Definition: Fashion for women defined the late 20th century modernist, anti-intellectualist age of the Roaring twenties and the Jazz Age when women gained back their independence and autonomy. The late 20th Century Fashion trends were again the short, low-rise dresses, revealing asymmetric dresses, the flappers’ haphazard, casually worn styles, the loose, loosely tied shirts, crazy earrings, colorful stockings and crochet shoes worn by the Flappers. In some aspects this was similar to the conservative dress codes followed by much of the working class in the industrial societies of Europe during the time. The “Formal” Dress Code tended to be more rigidly enforced as the social groups defined by ethnicity, gender, and class began to separate themselves from one another.

A new and vibrant “Art Deco” fashion movement emerged during the first decade of the New York Statehood Period. This movement tended to break with the more conservative and conventional styles of the previous years. This was particularly apparent in clothing design, which was characterized by an eclectic approach to the materials used, shapes, colors, and patterns used. Art Deco fashion tended to include bold geometric designs, bold stripes and circles, and a more cartoon like approach to clothing design.

Cuts, Seams, and Straps: Fashion for women in the 1920s often included bold cuffs and gathers around the wrist and upper arm areas. Seamless necklines and wide open collars were quite popular also. Colorful or patterned fabrics were widely used in both evening and daytime clothing. Lastly, shorter hem lengths were common place. Cottage style dresses with rounded necklines and soft floral prints became very popular during the 1920s.