1920s Fashion, Costume for Men, Women & Kids

Overview

The fashion of the twenties is remembered for its glamour and elegance it always had simplicity in outfits. For men, they enjoy casual suits while women it meant skirts, shorter in length and simple one.

Women’s Wear

At the dawn of the 1920s, the world was reeling from the issue of the First world war. As when it’s ended, it had fundamental and irreversible effects on the culture and especially fashion. 

1920s new styles had simplicity and style. This simplicity was not seen before. I would like to mention a quote here.

Simplicity Is The Keynote Of All True Elegance

The simplicity has created a popularity as “La Garçonne” look dominant much in the decade. It is also known as the flapper, the typified 1920s dress with creeping hemlines and dropped waist has could be made with economical fabrics. 

Coco Chanel was a prominent designer during the period and she helped popularize the style. Both the hemlines and waistlines were followed throughout the decade, as the waistlines started dropping in 1923 and started beginning to rise again in 1928; while hemlines arose until 1926, the downfall was started.

Evening Dresses

As the women had below knee length with a straight fit and loose dresses. In beaded evening dresses mostly flappers were worn. Shoe fashion, T-strap heel shoes or Mary Jane shoes were mostly in fashion.

In winter wear, cocoon fur coats and fringe wraps were mostly preferred. Cloche hats and short hairstyles are carried out. In headbands feature or beaded ones for evenings. Long pearl necklaces, small beaded purses, and cigarette cases were preferred.

House Dresses

While at home where there is the only family this 1920s clothing was so comfortable. The women wore simple cotton dresses, stockings and pair it with low heel Oxfords. House dresses often had white collars, stripes with pretty embroidery, and had lace on the dresses.

Women’s apron while doing work was usually homemade. They were basic, yet they were durable for the rigors of household chores (irons, washers). For the people who cannot afford expensive dresses for them, a cotton housedress was the only outfit used for the day.

Work Apparels

Women engaged in manual labor, such as factory work, sewing, nursing, maids or any working lady must wear a professional uniform coat or apron over cotton clothes. Girls who work as salespersons must wear uniforms or day dresses with white-collar shirts. Even when working in a silk factory, young women still spend time keeping up with fashion trends.

Gangster Girl Costumes

Although there were women “gangsters” and “gangster molls” in the 1920s their attire was no different from other women. However, this is popular clothing from the 1920s. It can be worn in men’s striped suits or wide leg-pants and made into female gangster clothing. Again it is not accurate, but it is fun to wear.

Men’s Fashion

As we know it today, men’s fashion in the 1920s was the beginning of men’s clothing. This is a classic and sophisticated era, full of fun, and more and more casual modern clothing has been left aside. Most of the fashion colors for men in the 1920s were neutral, but the accessories were full of bright colors just as they were for women in the 1920s.

1920s Men’s Suits

• Suits: Three-piece suit, striped, plaid, tweed, and wool suit. High-sleeved pants.
• Shirt: White or narrow striped formal shirt with a matching collar. Collar or check two pocket work shirt.
• Coat: Long coat, wide lapel, or short plaid vest jacket.
• Sweaters: Pullovers, shawl collars, cardigans, knitted sweaters, and casual vests.
• Hats: Derby, Homburg, Panama, Fedora, and newsboy
• Shoes: Collar pin, cap-toe oxfords, pocket watch, cane, gloves, spats, cufflinks.

The suit styles in the 1920s changed from the close-fitting styles of the early “Jazz Age”(1918-1923) to the loose styles after 1924. At present, the trends of retro-style menswear reflect self-cultivation styles, while women’s fashion embraces old age.

The lapel of the suit jacket is expanding every year; the peak of the lapel has become a new trend, and the open pocket becomes a new feature of the suit in the late 1920s. In the United States, more unique shade colors have also appeared, such as pink, light green, lavender, blue-grey, and grey-green, therefore don’t be afraid to wear those colors.

Men’s 1920s Accessories

Accessories include:

• Suspenders: Striped elastic or leatherwork suspenders hold the pants. A thin leather belt is also an option for casual wear.
• Collar pins: The soft shirt collar keeps the collar neat. Cuffs are also a necessary tool for closing French cuffs.
• Shoe-spats: White, grey, or tan wool shoe cover, suitable for gentlemen.
• Can or a walking stick: Silver cane design gentleman walking accessories.

1920s Athletic References

The 1920s were also a time to celebrate leisure, and the style of clothing reflected this culture shift. Inspired by well-known athletes and their sportswear, men embraced the clothing choices of tennis and golf players.

They hoped that the v-neck sweater would refer to the traditional past. Brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren often release lighter cricket sweaters and cable knights, taking them as inspiration from the twenties and incorporating them into their looks.

Kids Wear 

Until toddlerhood, both the boys and girls wore white colored gowns. The length of the gown is shortened to a knee so that it’s easy to walk. Young girl’s dress style includes baby dolls, sailor-style dresses, and drop-waist.

Older girls usually copied the women’s styles, with a straight drop waist dress. It is a popular choice for them. Little boys wore short pants with matching jackets or shirts with short overalls. Other boy’s clothing most likely matched that of men: long pants, button-down shirts, and knickers.