How To Be A 1920s Flapper Girl

Saturday, August 21st, 2010 | Women's Interest

After World War I ended, there seemed to a sense of more freedom for women, not only in their liberal attitudes to life, but in the way they dressed. This new breed of women cut their hair short and wore it in bob, wore short skirts, excessive makeup, listened to jazz, drank, smoked and treated sex in a more casual way. People started to call these liberated women Flappers.

In the 1920s being flapper girl was to challenge the traditional roles of women such as working outside the home, earning their own money and advocating women’s rights. A lot of the changes brought in by the Flappers are now regarded as normal but back then they were considered quite shocking, especially with regard to their dress.

The Flapper girls got their fashion ideas from France. The “garcon” style created by Coco Chanel was a great inspiration for the Flapper girls. The flapper style was very boyish: gone were the curves and cleavages of old. It was characterised by flattened bosoms and a boyish look. Where women used to wear corsets to nip in their waists, these were discarded with lower waistlines and raised hemlines.

If the 1920s flapper girl style appeals to you then here are some ideas about how to get an authentic look. The dress should be sleeveless, straight and loose with a dropped waistline practically to the hips and the hems just below the knee. Necklines should be low at the front and at the back. As far as material is concerned the more beaded and sequinned the better. If you are going out for the night then a feather boa is essential as well as a pair of long satin gloves and a cigarette holder for effect.

But what about makeup and hair – essential for any flapper girl? Up until the 1920s, women would shield themselves from the sun. A tan was only for common working folks. Pale skin was considered attractive, but during the 1920s the popularity for tanned skin increased, funnily enough suggesting someone who lived a life of leisure and was healthy. With the tanned skin came blusher, dark eyes that were kohl-rimmed and lipstick.

Up until now long hair had been admired as being the epitome of femininity. Now, short hair was in with styles like the Bob Cut, the Eton Crop and the Shingle Bob. For the daytime, hats were still worn with cloche hats being the most popular. For an evening look then a headband preferably with feathers was the norm.

As far as jewelry was concerned, the 1920s was a time of Art deco and jewelry tended to consist of art deco style pieces: brooches and pins as well as many layers of beaded necklaces.

Why not visit my 1920s costume website to check out the variety of flapper girl outfits?


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