The 1920's

Fashion in the 1920’s

After the First World War ended in 1918 woman wanted change, they had been restrained enough through the ‘make do and mend’ years of the war.

By 1920 magazines showing new fashions became available, adverts appeared in newspapers selling patterns to make your own clothes. Department stores produced catalogues so that people could have clothes delivered to their doors.

Cotton was used less as new fabrics were being produced such as silk and rayon, they came in bold colours, woman wanted these bright and cheerful clothes after the drab years of war.

Corsets were abandoned for lighter more comfortable fitting underwear, bra’s were little more than a bust bodice. Big busted girls bandaged their busts flat as the fashionable boyish look took hold.

Hemlines rose from the ankle to above the knee so legs became more visible, thinner stockings became the fashion. Accessories were coordinated, bag, shoes, gloves and ladies always wore a hat!

Cloche hats became the fashion, which were a very close fit to the head and could only be worn over SHORT hair! So the SHORT BOB was reintroduced. Although hair had been worn that way in Roman times and had appeared through history in various era’s, it was now back! totally essential under a cloche hat.

When girls went out for the evening, having removed their hats they wore bands around their short hair for decoration, some were decorated with sparkly beads or tiny flowers or just plain bands made of a glittery material. At this time finger waving was introduced to make the hair itself more decorative.

When people think of the so called “Roaring 20’s” they imagine flapper girls dancing the Charleston. Hemlines rose, bust got flatter and hair was cut short. Women wanted anything that was new and exciting to try to forget the war years and at last be able to go out and enjoy themselves.

1920's1920's 2


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