World War I ended and euphoria was the order of the day. Fashion responded by dropping waists to high hip levels and 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
Next 1930 to 1940
Back Fashion Timeline
1920s white velvet cord bandeau
Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com
1920s silk & Point de Venice lace dress
Courtesy of bctreasuretrove com
1920s chiffon dress
Courtesy of contentmentfarmantiques.com
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 noblesavagevintage.com
1920s gold and cream pattern silk Damask dress
Courtesy of cur.iovintage
1920s black silk satin dress
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
1920s red satin dress
Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com
1920s silk chiffon with floral print
Courtesy of noblesavagevintage com
1920s beaded chiffon dress
Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com
1920s blue silk dress
Courtesy of denisebrain
1920s dress
Courtesy of denisebrain
1920s beaded silk chiffon blouse
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
1920s plum & black sequins with glass beads on silk dress
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1920s silk tunic
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1920s velvet dress
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
1920s black net & orange tunic
Courtesy of mariansvintagevanities
1920s pink silk dress
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1920s silk dress
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
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 poppysvintageclothing
1920s velvet evening coat
Courtesy of denisebrain
1920s red silk velvet cocoon cape
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1920s red tulle cloak
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing
1920s black & gold lamé opera Coat
Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com
1920s Egyptian revival silk coat
Courtesy of vintagedevotion
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 vivavintageclothing.com
1920s cloche hat
Courtesy of vivavintage.com
1920s orange velvet & silk cloche
Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com
1920s hat
Courtesy of magsragsvintage
1920s silk crepe Cloche
Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com
1920s cloche
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1920s bandeau
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1920s silk bandeau
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1920s gold thread wig
Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com
1920s mermaid bathing bandeau
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie
1920s enameled mesh bag
Courtesy thespectrum
1920s silk purse with hand painted portraits
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
1920s beaded purse with celluloid handle
Courtesy thespectrum
1920s navajo silver & turquoise pawn brooch
Courtesy of metroretrovintage com
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 of thespectrum
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 vivavintageclothing.com
early 1920s organza dress
Courtesy of pinkyagogo
early 1920s Betsy Ann frock
Courtesy of noblesavagevintage.com
early 1920s Paris label white lace & applique jacket
Courtesy of ruedelapaix
early 1920s beaded chiffon coat & dress set
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
1924 beaded silk evening dress
Courtesy of bctreasuretrove.com
1925 fuschia velvet evening dress
Courtesy of kickshawproductions.com
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.com
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
Question or Comment? Enter it below.