A New Chapter in Fashion History!

The year 1920 is marked as a turning point in the world of fashion. 1910 saw the silhouette rise to prominence, which was much more fluid and soft. But it was the 1920’s when fashion truly entered a modern era. Two distinctive styles characterize the 1920s; the first was relatively conservative in nature and it was only in the second half that changes started to take root.

The ‘Golden Age’ commenced with the end of World War l, and this had a great impact on all socio-cultural aspects of society including fashion. Men were busy with the war, giving women the opportunity to get out in the world as professionals. Obviously, gowns weren’t the best options for the workplace so their outfit changed to accommodate comfort. Women stared wearing pleated skirts with slits to allow movements. Women also started wearing loose pant suits that were called ‘pajama suits’.

The 1920s was filled with lively colors; designers included colors in every article of clothing. The burgeoning entertainment industry influenced the era in a major way, and Vogue magazine was also started in the 20s. Corsets became a thing of the past, while silhouettes for this decade became loose and shapeless with lighter fabrics taking center stage.

A new class of women known as ‘The Flappers’ emerged, changing women’s fashion dramatically in this era. Flappers were known to dance to jazz music, drank, smoked and had casual relationships. 

             

                               

Women cut their hair into a bob, which inspired hats that were smaller and more fitted. Hats were as colorful as the outfits themselves.

           

                                     

After hats, purses and handbags were the favored accessories. In fact, they were considered ‘eye-candy’. They came with beautiful beading and in materials like silk. Women would make one, if they were unable to afford it. In Jewelry pins and brooches were popular as they would stylishly hold clothes together.

Bathing suits made a very controversial entry during this time. They were initially very unflattering and uncomfortable, but the mid 20s saw swimsuits gain a new identity by way of form-fitting suits and vibrant colors.

Men’s fashion saw a fair few changes during the decade. Suits became slimmer with wide legged trousers, while short suit jackets were preferred and the long jacket from the previous decade was donned solely on formal occasions. V-neck sweaters with white trousers became famous. During the mid 20s, men went for shirts with attached collars, which when compared to detachable collars were much softer.  

The 1920s was packed with more fashion trends than any amount of words could suffice for. The vibrancy and liveliness of the decade are not going to end here. There is way too much to talk about, and this is just the start! 

Fashion Jazzed Up

One of the most glorious eras in history was the 1920’s. The jazz, the clubs and everything that was prohibited found a voice during this time. By the end of World War One, there was a sense of optimism in the air, but the loss and destruction was immense. The only country to reap any benefits was America. Their contribution of arms and ammunition made America a very prosperous country. And the start of the 20^th century saw drastic changes; it seems that society was purging the war away. Morality blurred and society became more liberal. Fashion was obviously affected, along with ideas, and fashion too became liberal.

One of the factors that influenced this change in fashion was the evolving role of women. With men busy with the war, women started sharing the role of the bread-earner and after the completion of the war this continued. This brought about a change in the way women dressed; trousers crept into their wardrobes, and the dresses lost length, but fashion was still conservative but soon changing.

              

The 1920’s were about living in the moment, instant gratification became the way of living. The entertainment industry accelerated with silent movies and music changed with comets and trumpets creating jazz in the expert hands of Louis Armstrong. Another thing that has gained prominence during this time was a phenomenon called the ‘Roaring Twenties’.

This new found freedom and the need of instant gratification were reflected in the fashion. Clubs were on the rise and no matter the lack of legality of these establishments they became the hub where people exercised this liberalization.

Men’s fashion was known by high waist jackets paired with a belt and hats. 

On the other hand a ‘new class’ of women emerged called the ‘Flappers’ with bobbed hair, who wore short skirts with hair bands with feathers tucked, a long string of pearls, along with dramatically lined lips as a ‘cupid’s bow’ and smoky eyes who listened to jazz and visited the clubs. 

They were considered impetuous because of their excessive makeup, drinking, smoking and having casual relationships. They listened to jazz, danced, drank and wore dazzling clothes.

The fashion style of the 1920s has been so exceptionally stunning that the students of Whistling Woods Neeta Lulla School of Fashion had to recreate it. 

Under the expert guidance of Belinda Bawa and taking inspiration from the ‘The Great Gatsby’, a classic example, the students designed their first shoot for a specific look. The scenario was an underground club. 

The task was more challenging because along with their own designs they had to create looks for models too. The students had a fabulous time and were able to capture the essence of 1920’s fashion beautifully.