
1920s Fashion: What Did People Wear?
- 1920s Hats & Headwear. What type of hats did women wear in the 1920s? ...
- Coats & Outerwear. What type of coats did women wear in the 1920s? ...
- Sweaters. What type of sweaters did women wear in the 1920s? ...
- Dresses. ...
- Shoes. ...
- Men’s 1920s Fashion. ...
- In-Depth 1920s Fashion Profiles. ...
- Women’s Fashion from 1920s Catalogs
- Men’s Fashion from 1920s Catalogs. ...
What are flappers really wore in the 1920's?
Flappers are what women were considered in the 1920s. They usually wore dresses that went to their knees, (which was a big turnover from what women usually wore) had their hair cut really short like up to their ears, and also wore closely fitting hats. They were called this because of the sound their laces made against their shoes when they walked.
What did men wear to formal events in the 1920s?
Unlike today, formal wear in the 1920s was common, because of the easy crossover between men’s regular suits and proper formal dress. For formal events, men often chose a tuxedo with matching dress shirts, bow ties, and pocket squares.
What did gangsters wear in the 1920s?
What did gangsters wear in the 1920s? The 1920s gangster costume can be summed up as men in dark suit jackets (often striped, never black) with matching vests and pants, a white or black band fedora hat, a contrasting tie, and a fat cigar in his mouth.
What kind of clothes did men wear in the 1920s?
- Felt Hats & Bonnets
- Fur Coats
- Wool Sweaters
- Silk Flat Crepe Dresses
- Bow Pumps
- Short Sport Jacquettes
- Custom Tailored Suits
- Fedora & “Newsboy” Hats

What Did Women Wear in the 1920s?
The classic 1920s female silhouette reflected the era’s new sense of freedom. It was loose, straight, and slender, with dropped waists and shorter hemlines.
What Did Men Wear in the 1920s?
Men’s fashions didn’t change so dramatically. Overall, their dressed-up, buttoned-down look became more casual.
What Did Children Wear in the 1920s?
Until toddlerhood, both boys and girls wore white gowns, which shortened to knee-length once they could walk. Young girls’ dress styles included baby doll, drop-waist, and sailor-style dresses. Older girls more closely copied women’s styles, with the straight, drop-waist dress a popular choice.
Fashion in Your Family History
What did your family wear during the 1920s? Look for photos of them in FamilySearch Memories. Or upload your own family photos to share these treasures with others.
What was the 1920s fashion?
1920s Fashion: Women & Girls ». For nearly one hundred years, 1920s women's fashion has been known as one of the most glamorous and innovative periods in modern fashion history.
What is the most striking thing about 1920s fashion?
The most stunning thing you will notice about 1920s fashion is the shape of the silhouette. It is strikingly straight and flat. While most fashions accentuate the figure in some way or another, it almost seemed like, at times, any shape other than straight was a big no-no.
What color is a short jacquette?
Coney fur in a natural tan shade, or dyed in silverine shade (silver/gray blended with dark markings) was a popular choice for this coat. Another popular shade was called Muskratine, which was dyed in a tan shade with brown markings to closely resemble the natural muskrat.
What ribbon did the designer use for the hat?
The designer had used the velvet flower and grosgrain rib bon as well as band and bow ends. Hats like these were featured quite prominently in exclusive New York fashion shops, costing twice as much as most other hats. While women’s hats varied greatly in style, men’s hats were the opposite.
Why did women wear crepe dresses?
In New York women wore rayon crepe frocks year round because it was rich looking, but more affordable than silk. These dresses were designed on the straight, simple, yet distinct, lines. For daytime frocks, nothing was more luxurious than the lustrous all-silk Charmeuse.
What was the Ulster coat made of?
Other men would be smart to wear a fur-lined Ulster made of Holmes St. George all-wool Black Kersey. The body lining was made of black Manchurian Wolf Dog. The sateen sleeve lining was quilted. These coats were extremely well made and were meant to last for several years.
What were the hats made of in the 1920s?
For the most part, men wore black, blue or some shade of brown. Their hats were typically made of felt and were the same collegiate style you see in every 1920s period movie you’ve ever seen.
What was the 1920s fashion?
In a nutshell, 1920s fashion for women was all about getting loose, which applied to morals, too. Women wore dresses all day, every day, rain or shine. Most dresses had a drop waist, with a belt or sash around the hip and a skirt that hung down anywhere from the ankle on up to (but never above) the knee.
What was the dress shirt in the 1920s?
The dress shirt was unique with a white round or pointed collar on a colored body of stripes or light pastel solids for most of the 1920s. 1922 men’s round club collar on a striped pastel shirt with necktie. Men also wore hats such as the felt fedora, classy Homburg or round bowler.
What stores have beaded dresses?
Macy’s, Dillard’s or Nordstrom – In the formal section they have brands Patra, Papell, and Pisarro Nights that all have the most beautiful beaded and sequin gowns in a wide range of sizes. I usually shop their online selection, but you can find them locally, too. Komarov is a great brand for those that don’t want a beaded dress.
What was the most popular costume in the 1920s?
For gentlemen, the pinstripe gangster is a classic, but so is the more casual vintage ’20s working man or sophisticated Jay Gatsby or urban Peaky Blinders gang. Although the flapper dress or gangster costume are still the most popular roaring ’20s outfits to re-create, there are many 1920s costumes that are not flapper outfits you can make or buy. All of these 1920s fashion are explored below with links to help you create your unique 1920s costume.
What hats are used in summer?
Besides the formal top hat, most men went for felt hats in winter and straw hats in summer. Consider the center dent fedora, the round bowler or derby, or the unique Homburg for felt hats. The classy straw Panama or round crown Boater or Skimmer are great for summer. The casual flat cap, AKA newsboy cap, is versatile year round. Fedoras are classic, too, although most modern Fedoras have very narrow brims. 1920s fedoras had wide brims and tall crowns. Your best bet is to buy a hat online. Read more about 1920s men’s hat styles.
What did men wear in the 20s?
Men also wore hats such as the felt fedora, classy Homburg or round bowler. In summer, it was the straw boater or Panama that topped most men’s heads. For men’s ’20s shoes, two-tone Oxfords were the latest and greatest fashion, although solid black or brown cap toes were equally common.
How much does a daytime dress cost?
They usually have sleeves and longer hems which make them more comfortable for mature women. Prices range from $20 to $400 depending on the brand. Shop daytime dresses here.
Why were jackets cut in the 20s?
The jackets of the ’20s were cut much more closely to the body to accentuate the natural waist. If you look at them today, they’re much closer to a body coat than a modern suit. The buttoning stance was a bit lower than the 19-teens, and it had about two to three buttons. Sometimes the fronts of jackets were cutaway and probably inspired by morning coats.
What was the Roaring Twenties?
The Roaring Twenties are remembered for technology, innovation, high fashion, and wild parties. Many people cite this decade as the start of the “Golden Age of Menswear.” Some even argue that the suit as we know it today started blossoming in the ’20s. But, while “The Great Gatsby” and the styles therein come to mind, was 1920s fashion truly all flash and glam? Read on to find out!
When were waistcoats cut high?
Remember, in the 1910s, they were cut really high. In the ’20s, you would see more the V, more the tie, and more the shirt front. The waistcoat’s bottom also started to create longer, pointier tips, which led to leaving the bottom button of the waistcoat undone. In the US at the time, though, men might not have caught on to that fashion yet, and buttoned their waistcoats all the way down.
What was novelty suit?
At the time, these were novelty suits marketed to young men and worn by young men. Often, it had slanted pockets, which created a certain dynamic that was pretty much in line with the hourglass shape. Of course, they had more darts to get this really suppressed shape. Sometimes, they even had belts like a Norfolk jacket, which would help you accentuate the waist even more.
What was the most popular fabric?
The most popular fabric was, of course, sheep’s wool , but they were a lot heavier than what you could get today, and the finish was a lot coarser.
Why did soldiers shave their beards?
Similarly to 2021, having a beard really impedes wearing masks effectively. Because of that, soldiers were told to shave out their beards so that the gas mask would work more efficiently.
When did belts become popular?
Starting in the 1900s in America, the belt had become more popular, taking over from side adjusters and suspenders. Across the pond in the UK and most of Europe, suspenders were still probably the number one means to keep your pants in the proper position. Nevertheless, belts were catching on there as well.
What were the most popular dresses in the 1920s?
For day wear, pleated skirts were the mainstay of most 1920’s women, flapper or otherwise. Evening dress was much more fluid and imaginative. Sequined fringe dresses were indeed worn, but were more often probably worn as a costume by dancers.
What shoes were worn in the 1920s?
A simple plain pump was the most commonly worn 1920’s shoe. They were comfortable and pretty. Dressy shoes for evenings had either chunky Cuban heels or slender Spanish heels. Shoe designers exposed more of a girls foot too. This was achieved with various T-strap design.
What was the mainstay of the 1920s?
But a 1920’s formal or party dress was quite different if you read on. For day wear, pleated skirts were the mainstay of most 1920’s women, flapper or otherwise.
What did women wear in summer?
For the most part, women wore a combination of blouse, cardigan and pleated skirts for day wear. An afternoon dress in summer time was usually a basic shift dress which hung from the shoulders. The dropped waist was imperative of course and the skirt was always below the knee.
What was the most popular stocking material in 1924?
Rayon, or artificial silk was the most common fabric for stockings by 1924. But for evenings, silk stockings were the most sought after. A respectable girl would use a garter belt to keep her stocking tops out of sight beneath her dress. A vivacious flapper on the other hand, would roll them down to just above the knee and hold them there with knee garters. This was also briefly a swimwear trend, though not really practical for splashing about in the water.
Who made the little black dress in 1926?
Marion Morehouse models a beautiful sequined crepe romaine little black dress in 1926 by Coco Chanel. Photo by Edward Steichen. For an evening occasion, the dress was much more interesting. 1920’s formal dresses were heavily beaded and decorated affairs – not the flirty fringe dresses seen so often today.
Who created the flapper look?
Artist Coles Phillips. As hems rose in the early 1920’s, by default, knees were exposed. Hosiery and shoe manufacturers were now in the big league for fashionable women swear. Major stocking brands like Holeproof Hosiery adopted the flapper look in advertising, beautifully drawn by artist Coles Phillips.
What were the coats of the 1920s?
Unlike the clothes underneath, coats and jackets of the 1920s tended to be quite simple. Even lighter weight spring and sport jackets were minimal in design, yet still a critical part of a woman’s casual ensemble. The most iconic 1920s coat, the fur collar wrap coat, was a woman’s prized possession. Almost every woman owned one, and she wore it all year long. Men, too, wore coats and jackets, and you can read about their history here.
What was the most popular coat in the 1920s?
The most iconic 1920s coat, the fur collar wrap coat , was a woman’s prized possession.
What was the perfect outerwear for driving in cars?
Long fur coats were the perfect outerwear for driving in cars or watching football games. Every student wanted a raccoon coat, including the women, who may have been less likely to be drivers but were no less eager to show off their families’ wealth. 1929 pieced raccoon coat. Ladies’ Raincoats.
What is the name of the fur that resembles the real thing?
If real fur was out of price range, there were synthetic furs, often called Siberian fur cloth, that resembled the real thing. The most favored furs had long, soft hairs. Short, thick, soft, and fluffy furs were also ideal in the later years.
What animals were used for fur trim?
Popular fur trimincluded mink, possum, raccoon, seal, fox, sable, and beaver for the upper classes. Middle classes may have chosen the cheaper weasel, squirrel, skunk, chinchilla, wombat, marten or mole. Some cheap furs such as rabbit’s fur (coney) were dyed to look like the more expensive fox and seal furs. There were also fur stoles, fur scarves, fur muffs, fur capelets, and detachable fur collars that could be layered over a plain coat or dress.
When did blazer jackets become popular?
Matching blazer jackets were sold with some spring dresses around 1928-1929. In the 1930s, the woman’s suit embraced all types of short jackets and blazers in the new man-tailored fashion.
What was the wrap over style of coats in the 1920s called?
By 1923, wool coats had followed fashion trends for longer lengths, returning to a touch above the ankle. The wrap-over style, called surplice , was also emerging as a new fashionable style that would continue to dominate the 1920s. The surplice jacket was secured with a single large platter button over the right hip. Trim was subtle with contrast stitching in long straight lines or the more popular arrows. Sleeves were usually batwing or bell-shaped.
