The roaring 20s were a time full of extravagance, and the period’s fashion was like none other. Fashion made every day seem like a special occasion, full of shimmering splendor instead of the typical mundane styles seen for daily wear. Now that we are back in the 20s, it’s only fair to revisit the wonderful fashion from the time of the Jazz Age, but of course, with a few updates to modernize and highlight the gorgeous looks that come from the era.
Fashion styles from the 1920s included bright colors, detachable collars, and much shorter hemlines than historically recorded before that period. To get started, think ‘The Great Gatsby’. The styles below are straight from the fashion from the era, and with a few tweaks, they can be incorporated into your wardrobe for a little bit of flapper flair.
Flapper Dress
The flapper dress is in every right iconic, and it holds a lot of symbolism in the fashion world. This was the beginning of rising hemlines for women throughout history. Though the hem went to just about mid-calf, it was just enough to make a statement.
To get the flapper look today, stay true to the flapper dress style, including a sleeveless, loose-fitting style made with fabrics including chiffon, velvet, and taffeta and decorated with rhinestones and fringe. A touch of fringe, and an even shorter hemline will do the trick to bring the dress from 1920 to 2022. The Pine Dress Redux free sewing pattern is my favorite take on a modern-day flapper dress with a slightly more fitted look and sleeves.
Robe de Style Dress
This dress has a fitted bodice with a dropped waistline, complete with a full skirt that grazes the ankles. Designers in the ’20s took couture fashion seriously, and the Robe de Style was a romantic take on fashion.
For a more modern take on the Robe de Style keep the bodice fitted and the skirt full. Consider raising the waistline and the hem and experimenting with necklines to draw more interest. The cocktail dress hack is an excellent take on a Robe de Style dress.
Tennis Dress
The most popular sport in the 20s was tennis. Upper-class women opted for knee-length tennis dresses in straight and loose-fitting silhouettes featuring pleats and collars when playing tennis or wearing leisurewear for other activities. Designers like Ralph Lauren embody this high-class style while updating looks to stay modern with the ages.
Fashion styles have recently leaned into more preppy aesthetics, including fashion worn by high-class women throughout the decades. The modern tennis or exercise dress is a mini length with a body suit built in for ease of comfort and movement. Bodysuits and skorts are an excellent choice for shaping and sculpting the body while including a place for tennis balls or other daily items like phones.
The full flapper style was indeed full of feathers, fringe, and over-the-top accessories, but in 2022 we try to keep fashion practical, and that’s why our desire for practicality and also dressing like every day is a celebration has landed us back to the point where flapper style piques my interest.
Which modern-day 20s style are you most likely to reach for? Leave a comment below!
