Women's Fashion of the 1920's
Madison, Emily & Mae
Women of the 1920's - Fashion
Because of World War I, America is entering a "prosperous era." Many social customs and morals are relaxed due to the happiness and optimism brought on by the end of the war and the improving Stock Market. Many new things such as new music and new dances are coming on the scene. And who cares about prohibition? Prohibition on alcohol is ignored by many when it suited them. Woman's fashion is changing with women’s changing roles in modern society, particularly with the hope of freedom for women. Many things are happening in the 20's (prohibition, jazz music, ect.) but in our minds, one of the more significant developments of the decade is the fashion while we are entering the modern era.
- M.C.
Fashion Icons
The important shift in fashion is all thanks to a few iconic women. Between Coco Chanel, the fashion designer who is responsible for popularizing a more casual, less constricting silhouette, and the German-American actress Marlene Dietrich, who pioneered the androgynous style, there are plenty of leading ladies who are defining preconceived notions of femininity and beauty.
- M.M
“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.”-Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel
- M.C.
Chanel No. 5: This perfume has been declared the perfect scent for both getting a hot date and for turning this date into a boyfriend. A full ten percent of women polled have insisted that they met "Mr. Right" while wearing the fragrance.
- M.M.
"Rags to Riches"
We all know the iconic Coco Chanel but any aren't familiar with her rags-to-riches story; as her fame grew, Chanel kept her modest childhood a secret. She had become an orphan at a young age, she began to make a living as a seamstress and cabaret performer. She earned the nickname "Coco" after one of the nightly songs she performed for drunken soldiers.
- M.C.
Coco started designing hats, initially as an expierment that really evolved into a big thing. Chanel became a licensed hat maker or modiste in 1910 and opened a boutique at 21 rue Cambon, Paris named Chanel Modes. Her career really began to take off when the well known theatre actress Gabrielle Dorziat modelled her hats in a famous French play in 1912.
- M.C.
Marlene Dietrich
- M.C.
The Trends - What's "In"
In the beginning, we all know that stockings warmed the legs. But it's the 1920's and hemlines are rising, sheer stockings are becoming popular, fashionable and somewhat sexy. This photo above shows the celebration of early nylons and the women who wore them.
- E.H.The ever en vogue, "IT hat" of the 1920s was the cloche hat. The close fitting deep hat was worn low and straight on the forehead, but could only be effectively worn over the bob hairstyle.
- M.M
Separate sweater and skirt ensembles, having plain or pleated skirts, also reflects the popular straight cut of this decade.
- E.H
- M.M.
Another very obvious fashion feature of this time period was "bobbed" hair. It was first introduced in America during and just after World War I and popularized by society dancer Irene Castle.
- E.H
Flapper Girls
- M.C.
- M.C.
- E.H.
Sources
http://www.rambova.com/fashion/fash4.html
http://www.uvm.edu/landscape/dating/clothing_and_hair/1920s_clothing_women.php
http://www.neatorama.com/2012/09/07/The-Perfect-Scent-Chanel-No-5/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1920s_in_Western_fashion
http://tirocchi.stg.brown.edu/514/story/fashion_twenties.html