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1920 to 1930

World War I ended and euphoria was the order of the day. Fashion responded by dropping waists to high hip levels as dresses became unfitted. While some gowns retained the design complexity of the Teens, the trend was toward Simplicity. Simple bodices, shaped using only a few tucks or shirring at the shoulders, or a little gather at the side seam reflected this new freedom. As the decade began hems lines perched above the ankle but in only three years skirt lengths had risen to unprecedented and – to some – shocking heights!

Necklines were usually a simple scoop or “V” but when collars were used they emphasized the long line. Sleeves were either long and straight or with bell shaping. Chiffons, light silks, soft velvets, lamés, lightweight wools and soft cottons made up the fabrics. Sometimes a sash was applied to the hip but dresses also fell in a straight line. Although dresses were simple in construction, detail was apparent in surface ornamentation such as embroidery, soft braid, and beading for evening; or fabric manipulation such as pin tucking or pulled threadwork. Tabard style sheer or semi-sheer dresses were worn over matching slips.

As the “flapper era” became established, hemlines continued their scandalous ascent and had reached the knee by 1926. The drop waist continued its popularity but skirts and bodices became more complex with seaming, circular flounces and floating panels. Decorative seaming, contrasting fabrics, and overlays began to appear. Quality, previously apparent by means of complicated fit and construction was now expressing itself through fabric and by manipulating a single layer of material. Time-consuming and costly beading was immensely popular, especially for dance dresses.

Skirt levels, that some believed were indecent, were tamed in the 1928/29 fashion collections and asymmetrical hemlines (knee length in the front, longer in the back) made their appearance to forecast the longer hemlines of the 1930s. Waistlines gradually rose to resume the position nature had intended.

Designers of the 1920s included: Patou, Molyneux, Chanel, Boue Souers, Louiseboulanger, Augustabernard and Vionnet.

Written by The Vintage Fashion Guild

1920s white velvet cord bandeau - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1920s white velvet cord bandeau

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1920s silk & Point de Venice lace dress - Courtesy of bctreasuretrove com

1920s silk & Point de Venice lace dress

Courtesy of bctreasuretrove com

1920s chiffon dress - Courtesy of contentmentfarmantiques.com

1920s chiffon dress

Courtesy of contentmentfarmantiques.com

1920s Hungarian embroidery on gauze dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s Hungarian embroidery on gauze dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s Hungarian red embroidery on gauze dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s Hungarian red embroidery on gauze dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s dress with gold embroidery - Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com

1920s dress with gold embroidery

Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com

1920s gold and cream pattern silk Damask dress - Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1920s gold and cream pattern silk Damask dress

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1920s black silk satin dress - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s black silk satin dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s red satin dress - Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com

1920s red satin dress

Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com

1920s silk chiffon with floral print - Courtesy of noblesavagevintage com

1920s silk chiffon with floral print

Courtesy of noblesavagevintage com

1920s beaded chiffon dress - Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com

1920s beaded chiffon dress

Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com

1920s blue silk dress - Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s blue silk dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s dress - Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s beaded silk chiffon blouse - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s beaded silk chiffon blouse

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s plum & black sequins with glass beads on silk dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s plum & black sequins with glass beads on silk dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s silk tunic - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s silk tunic

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s velvet dress - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s velvet dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s black net & orange tunic - Courtesy of mariansvintagevanities

1920s black net & orange tunic

Courtesy of mariansvintagevanities

1920s pink silk dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s pink silk dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s silk dress - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s silk dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s sporting set with knickers - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

1920s sporting set with knickers

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

1920s Girls Scouts of America uniform - Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s Girls Scouts of America uniform

Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s exercise middy and bloomers - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

1920s exercise middy and bloomers

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

1920s velvet coat - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s velvet coat

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s velvet evening coat - Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s velvet evening coat

Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s red silk velvet cocoon cape - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s red silk velvet cocoon cape

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s red tulle cloak - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s red tulle cloak

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1920s black & gold lamé opera Coat - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1920s black & gold lamé opera Coat

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1920s Egyptian revival silk coat - Courtesy of vintagedevotion

1920s Egyptian revival silk coat

Courtesy of vintagedevotion

1920s black satin flapper coat - Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1920s black satin flapper coat

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1920s Assuit Egyptian shawl - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s Assuit Egyptian shawl

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s Egyptian Assuit metal work shawl - Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1920s Egyptian Assuit metal work shawl

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1920s silk shawl - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1920s silk shawl

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1920s cloche hat - Courtesy of vivavintage.com

1920s cloche hat

Courtesy of vivavintage.com

1920s orange velvet & silk cloche - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1920s orange velvet & silk cloche

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1920s hat - Courtesy of magsragsvintage

1920s hat

Courtesy of magsragsvintage

1920s silk crepe Cloche - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1920s silk crepe Cloche

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1920s cloche - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s cloche

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s bandeau - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s bandeau

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s silk bandeau - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s silk bandeau

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s gold thread wig - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1920s gold thread wig

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1920s mermaid bathing bandeau - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

1920s mermaid bathing bandeau

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

1920s enameled mesh bag - Courtesy thespectrum

1920s enameled mesh bag

Courtesy thespectrum

1920s silk purse with hand painted portraits - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s silk purse with hand painted portraits

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s beaded purse with celluloid handle - Courtesy thespectrum

1920s beaded purse with celluloid handle

Courtesy thespectrum

1920s navajo silver & turquoise pawn brooch - Courtesy of metroretrovintage com

1920s navajo silver & turquoise pawn brooch

Courtesy of metroretrovintage com

1920s Fishek Nessler rhinestone brooch - Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s Fishek Nessler rhinestone brooch

Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s dress clip - Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s dress clip

Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s deco pot metal brooch - Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s deco pot metal brooch

Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s ruby deco beads - Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s ruby deco beads

Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s seed bead flapper necklace - Courtesy of thespectrum

1920s seed bead flapper necklace

Courtesy of thespectrum

early 1920s embroidered piano shawl - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1920s embroidered piano shawl

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1920s embroidered on orange silk piano shawl - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1920s embroidered on orange silk piano shawl

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1920s velvet and printed crepe dress - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

early 1920s velvet and printed crepe dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

early 1920s organza dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1920s organza dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1920s Betsy Ann frock - Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com

early 1920s Betsy Ann frock

Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com

early 1920s Paris label white lace & applique jacket - Courtesy of ruedelapaix

early 1920s Paris label white lace & applique jacket

Courtesy of ruedelapaix

early 1920s beaded chiffon coat & dress set - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

early 1920s beaded chiffon coat & dress set

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1922-23 silk beaded dress with I. Magnin label - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1922-23 silk beaded dress with I. Magnin label

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1923 Harry Collins velvet & chiffon dress - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1923 Harry Collins velvet & chiffon dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1924 beaded silk evening dress - Courtesy of bctreasuretrove.com

1924 beaded silk evening dress

Courtesy of bctreasuretrove.com

1925 fuschia velvet evening dress - Courtesy of kickshawproductions.com

1925 fuschia velvet evening dress

Courtesy of kickshawproductions.com

mid 1920s glass beads on tangerine silk dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

mid 1920s glass beads on tangerine silk dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

mid 1920s lilac silk and glass bead dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

mid 1920s lilac silk and glass bead dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

mid 1920s gold metal lace dress - Courtesy of pinkyagogo

mid 1920s gold metal lace dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1926 blue beaded dress - Courtesy of antiquedress.com

1926 blue beaded dress

Courtesy of antiquedress.com

1926 embroidered chiffon dress - Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1926 embroidered chiffon dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1926-27 Lanvin beaded silk Robe de Style - Courtesy of antiquedress.com

1926-27 Lanvin beaded silk Robe de Style

Courtesy of antiquedress.com

1927 screwback earrings - Courtesy of linnscollection

1927 screwback earrings

Courtesy of linnscollection

1928 Miriam Gross sweater set - Courtesy of denisebrain

1928 Miriam Gross sweater set

Courtesy of denisebrain

1928 velvet beaded evening gown - Courtesy of vintagetextile.com

1928 velvet beaded evening gown

Courtesy of vintagetextile.com

late 1920s silk chiffon dress - Courtesy of denisebrain

late 1920s silk chiffon dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

late 1920s leather Brogues by Porter's shoes - Courtesy of cur.iosvintage

late 1920s leather Brogues by Porter’s shoes

Courtesy of cur.iosvintage

1920s white velvet cord bandeau

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1920s silk & Point de Venice lace dress

Courtesy of bctreasuretrove

1920s chiffon dress

Courtesy of contentmentfarmantiques

1920s Hungarian embroidery on gauze dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s Hungarian red embroidery on gauze dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s dress with gold embroidery

Courtesy of Noble Vintage Clothier

1920s gold and cream pattern silk Damask dress

Courtesy of cur.iovintage

1920s black silk satin dress

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1920s red satin dress

Courtesy of Noble Vintage Clothier

1920s silk chiffon with floral print

Courtesy of Noble Vintage Clothier

1920s beaded chiffon dress

Courtesy of Noble Vintage Clothier

1920s blue silk dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s beaded silk chiffon blouse

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1920s plum & black sequins with glass beads on silk dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s silk tunic

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s velvet dress

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1920s black net & orange tunic

Courtesy of mariansvintagevanities
Golden beaded and sequined mid-1920s flapper dress

mid-1920s sequined dress

Courtesy of daisyandstella

1920s pink silk dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s silk dress

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1920s sporting set with knickers

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

1920s Girls Scouts of America uniform

Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s exercise middy and bloomers

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

1920s velvet coat

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1920s velvet evening coat

Courtesy of denisebrain

1920s red silk velvet cocoon cape

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s red tulle cloak

Courtesy of Poppy's Vintage Clothing

1920s black & gold lamé opera Coat

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1920s Egyptian revival silk coat

Courtesy of Vintage Devotion

1920s black satin flapper coat

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1920s Assuit Egyptian shawl

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s Egyptian Assuit metal work shawl

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1920s silk shawl

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1920s cloche hat

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

1920s orange velvet & silk cloche

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1920s hat

Courtesy of MagsRags Vintage

1920s silk crepe Cloche

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1920s cloche

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s bandeau

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s silk bandeau

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s gold thread wig

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1920s mermaid bathing bandeau

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

1920s enameled mesh bag

Courtesy The Spectrum

1920s silk purse with hand painted portraits

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1920s beaded purse with celluloid handle

Courtesy The Spectrum

1920s navajo silver & turquoise pawn brooch

Courtesy of Metro Retro Vintage

1920s Fishek Nessler rhinestone brooch

Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s dress clip

Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s deco pot metal brooch

Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s ruby deco beads

Courtesy of linnscollection

1920s seed bead flapper necklace

Courtesy The Spectrum

early 1920s embroidered piano shawl

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1920s embroidered on orange silk piano shawl

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1920s velvet and printed crepe dress

Courtesy of Viva Vintage Clothing

early 1920s organza dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

early 1920s Betsy Ann frock

Courtesy of Noble Vintage Clothier

early 1920s Paris label white lace & applique jacket

Courtesy of Rue de la Paix

early 1920s beaded chiffon coat & dress set

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1922-23 silk beaded dress with I. Magnin label

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1923 Harry Collins velvet & chiffon dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1924 beaded silk evening dress

Courtesy of bctreasuretrove

1925 fuschia velvet evening dress

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

mid 1920s glass beads on tangerine silk dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

mid 1920s lilac silk and glass bead dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

mid 1920s gold metal lace dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1926 blue beaded dress

Courtesy of antiquedress.com

1926 embroidered chiffon dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage

1926-27 Lanvin beaded silk Robe de Style

Courtesy of antiquedress.com

1927 screwback earrings

Courtesy of linnscollection

1928 Miriam Gross sweater set

Courtesy of denisebrain

1928 velvet beaded evening gown

Courtesy of vintagetextile.com

late 1920s silk chiffon dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

late 1920s leather Brogues by Porter's shoes

Courtesy of cur.iovintage