The 1920s were a period of change for fashion. Women were able to wear a variety of styles, including Art Deco and Egyptian Revival styles. Men were more conservative, opting for snap-front newsboy hats and collegiate styles. Hats were often short and lacked variety.
Art Deco
One of the most recognizable features of the 1920s was Art Deco fashion. This style of clothing was a combination of modern design with art nouveau elements. It used bold colors and bold shapes. The period also saw the birth of the gender crisis, and women began to become active in society. Women also began to reject heavy corsets, which were seen as unfeminine.
The 1920s were marked by a new sense of luxury and extravagance. The modern shapes and materials used in art deco architecture, jewelry, and textiles were considered futuristic. The Art Deco style was born out of the Roaring Twenties, also known as the Jazz Age. This decade of progress, innovation, and wide-spread prosperity was accompanied by a new intellectual and social environment. In addition, new technologies, including mass production, had only recently emerged.
During the 1920s, women in the UK and the US gained the right to vote. As a result, the Art Deco style celebrated the female form. Designers such as Coco Chanel and Paul Smith were particularly prolific in this regard. However, women’s clothing and jewelry styles began to deviate from the classic Victorian styles.
Many designers of the 1920s were influenced by Art Deco. The Ballet Russes, led by Serge Diaghilev, had the vision to introduce an exotic feel to Russian ballet. Their costumes were made of deep colors, which emphasised the natural figure.
Egyptian Revival
The 1920s were a time when Egyptian fashion was a dominant influence in art and culture. The discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922 prompted a fad for Egyptian-inspired jewelry, art, and design. Egyptian imagery allowed American consumers to engage with the social issues of the era, including color politics, class disparity, and the role of faith in society.
The opening of the Suez Canal was one of the reasons for this resurgence in fashion. It introduced motifs like pyramids and sphinxes, papyrus leaves, falcons, scarabs, and a variety of stones, such as turquoise and obsidian.
While Egyptian Revival was popular in the 1920s, it began to decline in the 1930s with the rise of modern, streamlined design. By 1935, the Egyptian style was no longer part of the architectural vocabulary. Interested readers can find more information about the style in Curl, James Stevens, Egyptomania, Manchester University Press, London, and Carrott, Richard G. The Egyptian Revival: An Intimate History
Egyptian designs influenced almost every aspect of life in the 1920s. From lemons to cigarettes, King Tut and Old Egypt were popular. During Tut-mania, Herbert Hoover even named his dog after the boy prince. Even clothing had an Egyptian influence. For example, a dress with an Egyptian-inspired applique in the center was popular. The applique is made of black engraved celluloid with a stamped metal pharaoh head in the center. The piece is hand-painted and is adorned with Egyptian motifs.
Shorter coats
The 1920s were a time when women had more freedom in their wardrobes. Shorter coats were not only acceptable, but stylish. Women were able to wear the kinds of coats that they wanted and still have the ability to stay warm. One example is the collegiate coat, which was cut with a straight silhouette and two rows of six large buttons down the center. The colors of the era were bright red and blue, and plaids were a popular choice.
Shorter coats were more fashionable than long ones. Long coats were considered unflattering and revealing. Women were increasingly inclined to wear sweaters over jackets, and women often wore a wrap coat over a chemise or slip. This style later became known as a blazer. Women also wore Mackinaw jackets, which were nearly identical to men’s jackets but featured a contrasting collar. These were worn with knicker pants or casual skirts.
The 1920s were a period of cultural change. The first half of the century was marked by the spread of women’s suffrage. Women gained the right to vote in the United States in 1920, and in France in 1945. In addition, the First World War shattered the rigid class society in Europe. The 1920s fashion era was characterized by a strong emphasis on femininity and self expression.
During this time, the hemlines of evening gowns dropped dramatically. Some designers, including Jeanne Lanvin, Bernard & Co, and Jean Michelline, dropped the hemlines during the day. These designers also made the transition to more conservative fabrics. This era of fashion was marked by a silent revolution in women’s clothing. Women’s clothes were becoming more comfortable and softer.
Short hairstyles
The 1920s saw the emergence of several incredibly short hairstyles. In particular, the short bob was a huge fashion trend. Many women had long hair cut off the neck and styled into a chignon, flat bun, or bob. Women also wore tight-fitting hats.
These short hairstyles made it possible for women to look chic and edgy. From androgynous to Flapper-inspired styles, short hair was perfect for the 1920s. You can still find these styles today in a modern version. If you’re looking to wear a short bob, here are some styling tips.
One of the most popular short bobs of the era was the curly bob. This style was created in 1872 by French hairdresser Francois Marcel. This style requires using a curling iron. A curly bob is a perfect option for short hair.
Another popular short bob hairstyle was the shingle bob. This style had a distinctly androgynous vibe. It was popular and even made its way into mainstream fashion in the 1920s. These bobs are also still quite popular today. These styles were great for 1920s fashion because of the many different styles that they could create.
In 1920s fashion, the most popular short hairstyle was the bob. The bob first entered the public consciousness in 1915 when fashion-forward ballroom dancer Irene Castle cut her hair short. This cut, then known as the “Case bob”, became a popular short haircut style.
Two-tone shoes
Two-toned shoes have remained popular since the 1920s, and their modern, streamlined look is a timeless classic. These versatile shoes can add sophisticated style to a variety of clothing, from jeans to dresses. They are also a great way to add a vintage look to your wardrobe.
These shoes come in a variety of styles, including spectator, brogue, wingtip, oxford, and boot styles. Some of them have contrasting toe caps and heel caps. The original two-tone shoe was designed by John Lobb in 1868, and its popularity rose in the 1920s.
Two-tone shoes symbolize casual style and were popular with gangsters and musicians. They were originally black and white, and were often worn during the summer months. This was due to the fact that black covered up dirt and stains. Today, the two-toned style is popular among vintage lovers and swing dancers, and it is a versatile shoe choice.
The first two-tone shoes were Spectator shoes for men. These shoes were originally designed as sportswear for upper-class athletes in Europe. However, they eventually made their way into everyday use. Cricket players also wore cream-colored leather shoes as part of their uniform. However, the high-wear caused the leather to become damaged.
The two-toned saddle shoe was originally a man’s shoe, but it became more feminine during the 1920s. The original design was designed to be crisp, but women preferred it due to its feminine appeal. Women of the time also began to dress more comfortably. They wore trousers and cut their hair short.
Short skirts
While Twenties fashion is usually associated with glitz and glamour, there was also a very practical aspect to dress for the era. Women wore shorter skirts and simple shapes, and men wore casual suits. Stockings were also essential, and many women wore them with long dresses.
Although short skirts had remained out of fashion for many decades, their popularity began to regain popularity in the 1960s. The first popular short skirts were miniskirts, and in 1967, these skirts became a popular option among young women. In the mid-seventies, even established designers began showing short skirts.
The short skirt fad began in Paris and quickly spread to the United States. At first, dressmakers thought the trend would eventually fade away, but the flappers were quick to seize the moment. They knew a good thing when they saw it, and the new style of short skirts was one of the most prominent features of the decade. Women wore short skirts to express their sexuality and embrace their bodies, and the new fad was also associated with a sexual revolution.
During the 1920s, women’s skirts were typically knee-length or even below. In the early part of the decade, the hemline topped off the knee, while the rest of the decade was characterized by a slightly longer silhouette and petticoats.