The 1920s changed fashion forever. Women threw out their tight corsets and long skirts. They cut their hair short and wore dresses that let them dance all night. This guide shows you the key trends that made the Roaring Twenties so special. You’ll learn about flapper style, the famous bob haircut, and how Art Deco shaped the way women dressed.
How Did Women’s Fashion Change In The 1920s?
After World War I, everything changed for women. They had worked during the war and earned the right to vote. They wanted freedom in their clothes too. The old rules about how women should dress didn’t matter anymore.
Gone were the days of tight corsets that squeezed the waist. Long, heavy skirts became a thing of the past. Women wanted clothes they could move in. They needed outfits for dancing, driving cars, and playing sports.
This wasn’t just about looking different. It was about feeling different. Fashion became a way for women to show their independence. The clothes women wore in the 1920s said they were modern, confident, and ready for anything.
Women’s Trends of the 1920s
The Tomboy Look
Many women in the 1920s chose a boyish style. They wore straight-cut clothes that hid their curves. This look shocked older people, but young women loved it.
The tomboy style borrowed ideas from men’s clothes. Women wore tailored jackets and straight pants for casual wear. They chose shirts with clean, simple lines. This style was perfect for working women who needed practical clothes.
The tomboy look wasn’t just about clothes. Women also chose simple jewelry with geometric shapes. Everything about this style was clean and modern.
The Bob
No hairstyle screams “1920s” like the bob. Women cut off their long hair and wore it chin-length or shorter. Some went even shorter with the “Eton crop.”
Cutting your hair short was a big deal back then. Many people thought it was shocking. But young women loved how easy it was to care for. The bob was perfect for their busy, active lives.
Women decorated their short hair with pretty headbands, jeweled clips, and fancy combs. The bob needed regular trips to the hair salon, which helped the beauty business grow.
Skirts Got Shorter
One of the biggest changes was hemlines going up. Skirts that once touched the ground now hit at the knee. For the first time in history, women showed their legs in public.
Shorter skirts had a good reason. They made it easier to dance popular steps like the Charleston. Women could move freely and have fun. They wore decorative stockings and T-bar shoes to go with their new look.
Not everyone liked the shorter skirts. Some schools and workplaces tried to ban them. But young women kept wearing them anyway. By the end of the decade, knee-length skirts were normal.
Flapper Style
The flapper represents the quintessential image of Roaring Twenties fashion. These young women embodied the spirit of rebellion and modernity that defined the decade. Flapper fashion featured drop-waist dresses that hung straight from the shoulders, creating a boyish silhouette that de-emphasized the waist and hips.
Flapper dresses were often adorned with beading, sequins, and fringe that moved dramatically when dancing. The typical flapper dress featured geometric patterns influenced by Art Deco design, with bold colors and metallic accents. Evening wear might include elaborate headpieces with feathers, beads, and jewels. Today, 1920s-inspired dresses continue to capture the glamour and sophistication of this iconic era, making them popular choices for vintage-themed events and parties.
Accessories were crucial to achieving the complete flapper look. Long pearl necklaces, often knotted or worn in multiple strands, were essential. Headbands with ornamental details sat low on the forehead, and long gloves added elegance to evening ensembles. The flapper’s makeup was also distinctive, featuring dark kohl-rimmed eyes, thin eyebrows, and cupid’s bow lips in deep red.
How Art Deco Shaped 1920s Fashion
Art Deco was the hot new art style of the 1920s. It loved geometric shapes, bold lines, and expensive materials. This style fit perfectly with 1920s fashion.
Art Deco showed up everywhere in women’s clothes. Evening gowns had intricate beadwork in geometric patterns. Jewelry featured angular designs. Fabric prints used zigzag patterns and sunburst designs.
The Art Deco color scheme became the 1920s look. Gold, silver, black, and jewel tones were everywhere. These colors made women feel rich and modern.
Art Deco also influenced accessories. Compact cases, cigarette holders, and jewelry all featured the sharp, modern designs. Everything looked expensive and up-to-date.
The Cloche
The cloche hat was the perfect accessory for 1920s hair. Named after the French word for bell, it fit snugly on the head. The brim turned down and framed the face.
These hats came in felt, wool, or straw depending on the season. They often had ribbons, brooches, or small decorations. Women wore them pulled down low over their foreheads, almost covering their eyebrows.
The cloche hat worked perfectly with the bob haircut. Longer hair wouldn’t fit under the tight-fitting design. This shows how different parts of 1920s fashion worked together.
The Little Black Dress
The little black dress started in the 1920s. Before this, black was mostly for mourning clothes. But in the 1920s, black became stylish for any time of day.
Early little black dresses had the typical 1920s drop waist and simple lines. They were practical and elegant. Women could dress them up or down with different accessories.
These dresses showed how 1920s fashion valued practicality. Women wanted clothes that worked for many different occasions. The little black dress was perfect for this new lifestyle.
FAQ Section
How should I dress in the 1920s style?
To achieve authentic 1920s fashion, focus on creating a straight, boyish silhouette with a drop-waist dress or skirt that hits at or just below the knee. Add long pearl necklaces, a cloche hat or decorative headband, and T-bar shoes. For hair, consider a bob cut or pin your hair up to create the illusion of shorter length. Makeup should feature dark, smoky eyes and deep red lips in a cupid’s bow shape.
What not to wear to a 1920s party?
Avoid fitted waistlines, long skirts, puffy sleeves, or overly structured clothing that emphasizes curves. Don’t wear modern accessories like large hoop earrings, platform shoes, or contemporary jewelry styles. Avoid bright, neon colors or modern prints—stick to the Art Deco color palette of golds, silvers, deep jewel tones, and classic black and white.
What is Gatsby fashion?
Gatsby fashion is the luxury style from “The Great Gatsby” book and movies. It represents the fanciest 1920s looks. For women, this means heavily beaded evening gowns, elaborate headpieces with feathers and jewels, long gloves, and expensive accessories. The style shows off wealth and the excess of the Jazz Age.
What is a flapper dress?
A flapper dress is a straight-lined, drop-waist dress that was popular in the 1920s. These dresses typically featured a loose fit that hung straight from the shoulders, with the waistline positioned at the hips rather than the natural waist. They often included decorative elements like beading, sequins, or fringe, and were designed to allow freedom of movement for dancing.
What color were dresses in the 1920s?
Popular colors at that time were deep jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red, metallics like gold and silver.
Black became increasingly fashionable for both day and evening wear. Pastels were also popular, particularly for daytime dresses, including soft pinks, pale blues, and cream colors. Bold color combinations and geometric patterns were common in printed fabrics.