Fashion In The 1920s Essay

Fashion is one of the key components that made the roaring twenties “roaring”. Every corner you go to you will be able to pinpoint colourfully decorated clothes as everyone is hyped and excited that the Great War has come to an end and the women, specifically had more freedom as all the jobs that women did during the Great War are now done by the men.

The roaring twenties was often recognized as the era of the flappers. Trendy women were often referred to as a “flapper”. The flapper “became the image that represented the tremendous change in women's lives and attitudes during the 1920s”. This term, flapper, was originated in Great Britain and then ended up becoming a pervasive term around Europe and North America. These women were often young and described as “confident, bold, sexy” females. They tried new diets to achieve a thinness, because “new fashions required slim figures, flat chests, and slim hips.”

Most women in the 1920s cut their hairs into a bob cut. A bob cut is a short haircut for women “in which the hair is typically cut straight around the head at about jaw-level, often with a fringe (or "bangs") at the front”. Women also curled it in “tiny spit “curls with a new invention called a bobby pin. Some used electric curling irons to create small waves called "marcels,"

named after Marcel Grateau.
Dresses were much lighter and shorter compared to most dresses in the 21st century. Women tend to wear bright coloured clothing and brand new textures that were uncommonly seen, in the past eras. Most of the clothes made were either created by rayon and silk. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, rayon is defined as “a yarn, thread, or fabric made from fibers produced chemically from cellulose” and silk is defined as “a smooth, soft, and shiny cloth that is made from thread produced by silkworms”. The most famous fashion designer of 1920s was Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel who is French. Her main goal was to “popularize the new freedom of the flapper look”.
The coats and jackets that worn in the 1920s were trimmed with fur and was usually worn with white gloves and thin hats. This was really fashionable at the time as many flappers would tend to wear jackets and coats on top of their dresses with white gloves and thin hats. The most popular shoe of 1920 was called the buckle pump. They were shoes that “were laced up past the ankles and had tall heels that came in a variety of bright colours. However, most women wore black and brown leather shoes as they felt it was more fashionable and easier to party with.
The accessories that women tend to wear were long pearl necklaces and brooches. In the roaring twenties, handbags were not that fashionable as it is nowadays, instead, they carried billfolds where ever they went. A billfold is basically a wallet that is primarily made of leather. In addition, the women will wear full makeup. Most ladies especially flappers will smoke and drink alcohol.
Men fashion didn’t really change in the 1920s it was the basic attire which consisted of suits and hats, with boots and long overcoats.

However, it had a little more spice added to it. Men wore black, blue or some shade of brown hat which was made of felt. They usually wore fur coats of leather jackets specifically called “horse hide windbreakers”. Dress shirts were not brightly coloured as women dresses instead they were light coloured or white. In addition to the dress shirts, they wore flannel lumberjack. A flannel lumberjack is now mostly referred to as a plaid shirt. Finally, the most trending hat styles of the 1920s were the: Gambler, Fedora, Panama, Homburg, Derby, and

Newsboy.