The 1920s were all about comfy clothes and looking cool! Gone were the stuffy dresses for women and tight suits for men. Instead, flapper dresses with shorter hemlines let women dance the Charleston with ease. Men wore sharp suits but added sporty touches like v-neck sweaters. Read on to see what people wore in this fun and fashionable decade!
| Category | Key Features | Example |
| Women | Flapper dresses: Knee-length, loose silhouette | Beading for evening wear |
| Dropped waist | Boyish and modern feel | |
| Affordable fabrics (rayon, jersey) | Accessible to all women | |
| Little black dress (Coco Chanel) | Versatile and stylish staple | |
| Borrowed from menswear (Chanel) | Relaxed, androgynous look | |
| Accessories: costume jewelry, cloche hats, pearls | Added personality and sophistication | |
| Evening Wear | Dresses: sleek, knee-length, straight | Beaded for added glamour |
| Shoes: T-strap heels or Mary Janes | Comfort and style for dancing | |
| Winter Wear | Coats: cocoon fur (luxury) or fringe wraps | Warmth with a touch of flair |
| Accessories: cloche hats, headbands, pearls | Polished look with evening sparkle | |
| At-Home Wear | Dresses: simple cotton, soft hues | Comfort and practicality |
| Details: white collars, stripes, lace trim | Elevated comfort | |
| Work Wear | Uniforms: professional coats/aprons over cotton dresses | Practicality for manual labor/service jobs |
| Retail chic: uniforms/day dresses with white collars | Put-together look for saleswomen | |
| Men | Suits: 3-piece, stripes/plaids/tweeds/wools | High-waisted pants for a defined silhouette |
| Shirts: white/striped formal or check work shirts | Detachable collars for versatility | |
| Outerwear: long coats with wide lapels or short plaid vests | Dramatic or jaunty vibes | |
| Accessories: hats (fedora, derby, panama), shoes (oxfords) | Must-have for a complete look | |
| Finishing touches: collar pins, cufflinks, pocket watches | Polished and sophisticated details | |
| Athletic Influence | V-neck sweaters inspired by sports attire | Relaxed styles for everyday wear |
| Colors beyond neutrals (pink, light green, lavender) | Men embrace unique shades for personality | |
| Kids | Early years: comfy white gowns (knee-length) for both boys & girls | Practicality for easy movement |
| Girls | Baby doll dresses, sailor-style frocks, drop-waist dresses | Adorable and trendy styles |
| Boys | Short pants with matching jackets/shirts or overalls | Dapper and practical for playtime |
| Long pants, button-down shirts, knickers (older boys) | Mimicking men’s fashion |
Table of Contents
A Look at 1920s Women’s Fashion
The world had a lot of healing to do after World War I, and fashion reflected that. Women said goodbye to stuffy corsets and hello to a whole new silhouette: the flapper. This wasn’t your grandma’s wardrobe!
From the dresses that stopped just below the knee to a shockingly daring change from the floor-length gowns of the past. This shorter hemline wasn’t just about showing some leg; it allowed women to dance the Charleston with ease and move freely like never before.
Another key feature of 1920s fashion was the dropped waist. Instead of cinching at the natural waist, dresses dipped down to the hips and created a more rectangular shape. This, along with the shorter hems, gave a boyish and modern feel.
But looking fabulous didn’t have to break the bank. Designers, like the iconic Coco Chanel, started using more affordable fabrics like rayon and jersey. This meant flapper dresses were no longer just for the wealthy, but for all the fashionable ladies out there.
Role of Coco Chanel in evolving 1920s Fashion
Coco Chanel wasn’t just another designer; she was a trendsetter. Here’s what this fashion powerhouse brought to the table:
- The little black dress: This versatile and stylish piece remains a must-have in every closet today.
- Borrowed from the boys: Chanel wasn’t afraid to take inspiration from menswear. This led to a more relaxed and androgynous look for women, a total contrast to the corseted figures of the past.
- Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Chanel elevated the flapper look with costume jewelry, the ever-so-chic cloche hat, and long strands of pearls. These added personality and sophistication to any outfit.
How The Flapper Look Evolved?
The flapper style wasn’t set in stone throughout the 1920s. Here’s a quick look at how it evolved:
Waistline on the Move: Those dropped waistlines started low in the early ’20s and gradually climbed back up to the natural waist by the end of the decade.
Hemline Dance: Hemlines reached their shortest point around 1926, then started to get a tad longer in the later years.
Fun Facts about 1920s Fashion
- The term “flapper” might have come from the way the dresses moved when women walked or danced – they literally flapped in the wind!
- Short haircuts, known as bobs, became super popular to complement the flapper vibe.
- This era saw a rise in makeup. Ladies embraced bold red lips, rosy cheeks, and dramatic eyeliner for a touch of extra glam.
1920s Fashion for Every Occasion
The flapper may be the iconic image of the 1920s, but women’s fashion of this era offered so much more variety! Let’s explore what well-dressed ladies wore for different situations:
Evening Elegance
Dresses: Sleek, knee-length dresses with a straight, loose silhouette. Beading added a touch of glamour for a night out.
Shoes: T-strap heels or Mary Janes provided both style and comfort for dancing the Charleston all night long.
Winter Wear
Coats: Cocoon fur coats were the epitome of luxury, while fringe wraps offered a touch of playful flair.
Accessories: Cloche hats remained a popular choice, paired with short hairstyles for a polished look. Headbands, either plain or adorned with feathers or beads, added a touch of evening sparkle. Long pearl necklaces, small beaded purses, and even cigarette cases (a symbol of the era’s new freedoms) completed the ensemble.
Home Attires
Dresses: Simple cotton dresses in soft hues, perfect for lounging around the house. Stockings added a touch of refinement, while low-heeled Oxfords provided practicality.
Details: Delicate touches like white collars, stripes with embroidery, and lace trim elevated these comfy dresses.
Office/Work Wear
Uniforms: For women in manual labor or service jobs, uniforms were the norm. Think professional coats or aprons worn over sturdy cotton dresses.
Retail Chic: Saleswomen donned uniforms or day dresses, often paired with crisp white collared shirts for a put-together look. Fun fact: Even factory workers kept an eye on fashion trends!
Gangster Glam
Reality Check: While there were certainly women involved in crime during the 1920s, their clothing wouldn’t have been drastically different from what other women wore.
Costume Capers: However, the image of the “gangster moll” in a man’s striped suit or wide-leg pants is a popular costume choice, even if it’s not entirely historically accurate. But hey, it’s all about having fun with fashion, right?
A Look at 1920s Men’s Fashion
The 1920s were a time of sharp suits, dapper accessories, and a newfound sense of casual style for men. It was a break away from the stuffy formality of the previous era, and gave men a look that was both classic and sophisticated, with a dash of fun.
The suit was still king, but it evolved throughout the decade. Gone were the constricting styles of the early Jazz Age.
Here’s what the well-dressed gent sported:
Suits: Think three-piece suits in a variety of fabrics – stripes, plaids, tweeds, and wools offered variety. High-waisted pants added to the overall silhouette.
Shirts: White or narrow-striped formal shirts with detachable collars remained a staple. For a more relaxed look, check-patterned work shirts with two pockets were popular.
Outerwear: Long coats with wide lapels offered a touch of drama, while shorter plaid vests added a jaunty vibe.
1920s Men Accessories
Accessories were a great way for men to express their individuality. Here are some key pieces:
Hats: From the classic fedora to the stylish derby, hats were a must-have. Panamas offered a cool option for warmer weather.
Shoes: Cap-toe oxfords were a versatile choice, perfect for both work and dressy occasions.
Finishing Touches: A collar pin kept the shirt collar sharp, while cufflinks added a touch of polish. Pocket watches, canes, gloves, and spats (detachable fabric covers for shoes) were all part of the sartorial game.
As the 1920s progressed, suit styles loosened up. Lapels grew wider, and open pockets became a trendy detail. This era also saw a shift towards more relaxed clothing inspired by athletic wear.
Think v-neck sweaters and elements borrowed from tennis and golf attire. Interestingly, even the color palette expanded beyond just neutrals. Men in the US preferred unique shades like pink, light green, and lavender to add a touch of personality to their outfits.
1920s Athletic Wear
The 1920s weren’t just about sharp suits and flapper dresses. It was also a time for leisure and celebrating a healthy lifestyle. This newfound love for sports influenced men’s fashion in a fun way.
Men started incorporating elements from tennis and golf attire into their everyday wear. Think v-neck sweaters, inspired by the classic looks of famous athletes. This trend continues even today!
Brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren often draw inspiration from the twenties, reimagining cricket sweaters and cable-knit styles for modern audiences.
1920s Kids Wear
Children’s fashion in the 1920s was adorable, with a touch of practicality. Here’s a peek into what the little trendsetters wore:
Early Years: Until they were toddlers, both boys and girls wore comfy white gowns that reached knee-length for easy movement.
Girls’ Styles: As young girls grew, their dress styles evolved. Think cute baby doll dresses, playful sailor-style frocks, and trendy drop-waist dresses that mimicked the popular women’s silhouettes.
Boys’ Attire: Little boys looked dapper in short pants with matching jackets or shirts. Overalls provided a practical option for playtime. As they got older, boys’ clothing borrowed heavily from men’s fashion, featuring long pants, button-down shirts, and those iconic knickers.
