THE ROARING TWENTIES FASHION

Pearls, beaded dresses, cloche hats, Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel, drop waists, swing, jazz & cigarettes… 
Welcome to The Roaring Twenties. This era could be said to be one of the most influential for fashion and women during the 20^th Century.

FASHION

Paul Poiret is the man considered to have helped free woman fromthe corset and S-Line nine curves.  It was during the 20’s that there was suddenly no suggestion of ‘feminine curves.‘ The waist completely disappeared! The feminine shape was now straight without a hint of the typical womanly figure previously popular.

‘The boyish look’ became a trend due to many factors in a steadily changing society. Alongside the growing demand for equal rights with men was another contrasting matter, the actual lack young men.  Since WWI many of them had been lost which meant a general lack in society’s youth.

During this time came one of the most important innovations in the fashion world, the invention of an artificial silk, known as Rayon.  This created a revolution in the fashion world. Clothes could now look as glamourous and real as silk, but were now less expensive than previously.  And so, what was almost impossible before, changed in an instant.  The ‘ordinary girl’ along with a greater part of society could now afford, follow and indulge in fashion!

WOMEN

In the beginning of the 20’s, developments in fashion was greatly influenced by the changing attitude of women. Because of World War I, the number of women at work had increased. The new ‘independent young woman’ with her career, pay cheque and freedom to live her own life became normal fact.  This new woman appeared in several forms within society:

- 'The Flapper’ A vibrant and happy woman with her ‘head-in-the clouds,’ but soon to settle in marriage.

- ‘The Surplus Woman’ who’s prospects of a traditional marriage had been reduced or vanished by the war’s death toll of men. She had become the self-supporting independent woman.

ICONS