The 1920s is the decade in which fashion entered the modern era. It was the decade in which women first abandoned the more restricting fashions of past years and began to wear more comfortable clothes (such as short skirts or trousers). Men also abandoned highly formal daily attire and even began to wear athletic clothing for the first time. The suits men wear today are still based, for the most part, on those worn in the late 1920s. The 1920s are characterized by two distinct periods of fashion. In the early part of the decade, change was slow, as many were reluctant to adopt new styles. From 1925, the public passionately embraced the styles associated with the Roaring Twenties. These styles continue to characterize fashion until early in 1932.
Typical Men's Attire
Men: Clothing for men became a bit more conservative in the 1920s. Trousers widened to as wide as 24 inches at the bottomes. Knickers grew in width and length and were called 'plus fours'. White linen was popular during the summer. And during the winter, an outstanding American coat was popular - the racoon coat. These were very popular with the college men. The slouch hat was made of felt and could be rolled up and packed into a suitcase. A wool suit was only $15.85. Garters were 40 cents. All this and a 12" long cigarette holder. Cigarettes were 10 cents a pack.
Shorter Hemlines - and No Corset!
Women: By 1921 the longer skirt was back - some long and uneven at the bottom. The short skirt was popular by 1925. This period was called the Flapper Age. No bosom, no waistline, and hair nearly hidden under a cloche hat. This decade began the present hey-day for the manufacturing of cosmetics. Powder, lipstick, rouge, eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, colored nails. They had it all! AND pearls.
Ready-to-Wear Dresses
This period marked the spread of ready-to-wear fashion. More women were wage earners and did not want to spent time on fittings. The status symbol aspect of fashion was losing its importants as class distinctions were becoming blurred. Inexpensive fashion became available. America moved ahead of other countries mass production of contemporary style clothing for women. America even produced several designers of this fashion including Jane Derby.