The 20s fashion movement was a period marked by bold color combinations, colorful patterns, and bold clothing. During the period, women’s fashion was often influenced by the sport of tennis, and tennis skirts were created by fashion designers like Jean Patou. These clothing pieces were worn by the most popular athletes of the time, including Suzanne Lenglen and Betty Ford. Women also wore cardigan sweaters, slip-over dresses, canvas shoes, and stockings.
Flapper dresses
Flapper dresses were a popular fashion trend during the 1920s. These loose dresses allowed women to move freely while dancing. They were also designed to expose the body. This style of clothing pissed off those who thought women had to dress a certain way. This style was not just for the wealthy, however.
Flapper dresses were made from a variety of different fabrics. They could be made from a cheap cotton dress to an expensive silk dress. These dresses were generally short and sleeveless and often had beaded detailing. Many of these dresses were designed to rest just above the knee and were a great way to show off legs.
The flapper style was considered a counterculture and was considered inappropriate by many members of the older generation. Flappers were often accused of being unintelligent, near-naked, and flippant.
Rayon stockings
In the 1920s, women started wearing stockings that were knee-high. The hemline of many dresses and skirts soared, and stockings to the knee were the trend. Women wore patterned and colored stockings and often wore garter belts to secure them.
Women’s stockings in the 1920s were typically made of cotton, wool, or silk. However, Rayon stockings were a new synthetic material that made them look shiny. This material was very practical, but it did not make for the most stylish garments. However, women used rayon stockings in combination with cotton to achieve the look they wanted.
Wool stockings were generally thick and used during the winter to protect the feet from the cold. Cotton stockings were often worn during the day. While silk stockings were the most luxurious and often made of silk, cotton stockings were often worn by the poor. These materials were less expensive, but they did not stretch or have a natural shine.
Jean Paul Gaultier
Jean Paul Gaultier is one of the most influential French fashion designers of the last century. In addition to creating a range of women’s fashions, he also designed clothing for film and television. His fashions are a mix of fun and sophistication, and his designs have made him an icon in the fashion industry.
Gaultier has remained a fixture in the fashion world since the 1980s, and has been called an “enfant terrible” of French fashion. His designs have attracted the attention of many high profile celebrities. Bjork modeled for him in 1994, and his designs have been seen on actresses like Kerry Washington and Julia Roberts. The designer also designed costumes for the KylieX2008 tour and Kim Kardashian on the Grammy red carpet in 2015. In addition, he has designed swimwear for several celebrities, including Katy Perry.
Gaultier’s clothing is also known for subverting gender stereotypes. In his early collections, he scouted models from the streets and used them in his shows. Later, he incorporated elements of religion, riffing on ecclesiastical dress and mixing disparate visions of spirituality.
Jeanne Lanvin
Born on January 1, 1867 in Paris, Jeanne Lanvin is one of the most prolific designers of the 20th century. She established ateliers in Paris, Biarritz and Deauville and employed nearly 800 people. In addition to her clothing, she also made furniture, stained glass, and wallpaper.
Lanvin’s most iconic creation was the robe de style dress, which flared at the hips and hung straight across the torso. This dress was reminiscent of the silhouettes of the 18th century, but with an alluring flare that appealed to many different body types. Lanvin used floral embroideries and delicate trimmings to give her dresses a distinctly feminine look. Her work was also known for the innovative use of beading, silk tassels, and other decorative embellishments.
In the 1920s, Lanvin took her talents to the U.S., and her designs were sold to celebrities. She made clothes for Hollywood actresses and the royal family. She was a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, the Paris fashion council.
Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel created the little black dress in the 1920s, taking a color associated with mourning and showing how chic it could be for evening wear. However, the company suffered during the 1930s depression and was forced to close its doors when World War II broke out. The designer then went into exile in Switzerland, where she lived at Roquebrune.
Chanel’s revolutionary clothing changed the way people thought about fashion. It was no longer only about fabric; it was also about comfort. Chanel’s designs loosened women’s corsets and gave them a sense of freedom. This made women feel more comfortable in their clothing and society embraced her designs.
The Garconne Look was an example of Chanel’s style and quickly gained popularity throughout the world. This style was defined by a masculine influence, and Chanel used male motifs as inspiration for her designs. This look would become synonymous with the 1920s era, and was forever associated with Coco Chanel.
Housedresses
Housedresses were a popular choice for the homemaking set in the early to mid-20th century. Made from washable fabrics, they were often printed or tailored to accommodate unexpected guests. Housedresses were so popular that they even made cloth masks popular for trips to the Pig!
The house dress was comfortable, easy to make, and practical for daily use. Most were made of cotton and were slip-on style. Some were even up-cycled from old cloth flour sacks. The frugality of the 20s encouraged women to use what they had on hand.
Housedresses were often made from cotton broadcloth or cotton chambray, a lightweight cotton fabric similar to denim. They could also be made of cotton percale, which is soft like bed sheets. Cotton gingham, a check-patterned cotton fabric, was also used to make housedresses. Linen was rarely used in the summer, but cotton/wool blends were acceptable for the winter months. Wool was generally avoided due to its tendency to retain odors.
Tweed coats
The tweed coat is one of the most iconic garments from the 20s. It epitomizes opulence, and is a delight to wear. It features crushed velvet cuffs and collar, and an asymmetrical hemline. The cut is extremely flattering, and the lining is luxurious silk. These coats are hand-crafted in New Forest, England.
In the late nineteenth and early 20th centuries, women refashioned their identities in tweed. In a period of growing gender equality, they challenged gender roles and the conventional standards of femininity. The cycle-riding New Woman, a radical icon of the decade, embraced tweed, trading in laces for silks and rejecting late Victorian femininity. She cycled the city streets in search of independence, education, and equality. In the early 20th century, the distinctive check of tweed became popular and widely used. The royal connections of tweed also helped shape tweed’s use in fashion.
As a classic, time-tested fabric, tweed can stand the test of time. If cared for properly, it will last for decades. A tweed jacket will look great with anything from a slim black sheath dress to the sexiest slip dress. It is also versatile enough to wear over a simple t-shirt and jeans.
Suits
The suit was a staple of 20s fashion, with a wide range of styles and colors. The look was often very tailored, with wide lapels. Boys’ suits were also made of wool, and many styles had interesting patterns. Regardless of age, boys could look stylish and classy in a suit.
Suits were designed in a variety of colors, including black. However, black suits were extremely rare and were reserved for special occasions. Stripes were a common pattern, and the prices of the suits were very reasonable. As a result, even if you can’t afford the pricier suits, you can find a great selection at affordable prices.
Men’s suits were usually constructed of heavy wool. They were heavier than modern suit materials, but remained more durable and breathable than in the previous decades. The jackets were often single or double breasted and had three to four buttons on the front. When buttoned, the jacket would cover a vest, leaving the collar and necktie exposed.
Tweed tailcoats
Tweed tailcoats were not only for the day; they were a popular choice for evening wear as well. During the 1920s, women began to wear tailcoats to formal occasions. The long, slender frames and slim waistlines of the 1880s lent itself to more feminine and elegant clothing. In the daytime, the most formal outfit was the frock coat, which featured a waist seam and full skirt. The morning coat, on the other hand, was less formal. It was a simple cutaway jacket with a waist seam. It could be worn in tweed or black, depending on the occasion, and was much more versatile than the frock coat.
The jacket body and sleeves were lined in cotton or silk, and were more durable and less likely to become dirty. Tweed was a popular fabric for country wear, while cotton and linen were preferred for summer dress. The fabrics of the time were lighter and less stiff, making them an ideal choice for summer.