Welcome to the beautiful and amazing world of the golden age of 20s! If you love glow, fun dances, and fancy parties, you are going to love this era. As a fashion expert who adores history, I am so happy to share the secrets of this amazing time with you. So, what exactly is this style? 1920s Formal Fashion Women was a famous style of dress that focused on loose shapes, sparkly beads, and being free to move.
Before the 1920s, women wore tight, uncomfortable clothes that made it hard to breathe. But in the 1920s, everything changed! Women started wearing straight dresses that didn't squeeze their waists, short skirts that showed their knees, and shiny headbands. It was the first time fashion was truly about having fun and dancing to Jazz music.
In this guide, I will take you on a journey back in time. We will look at the beautiful dresses, the cool shoes, and the glitzy accessories that made 1920s Formal Fashion Women so iconic. Get ready to explore the most glamorous decade ever!
What is 1920s formal fashion women?
When I am asked, "What is 1920s formal style for fashion-conscious women? " I explain to them that it was revolution before the 1920s! women were wearing corsets with tight straps that caused breathing problems. However, in 1920, things was changed. Women longed to have freedom. The women wanted freedom to walk around, drive automobiles, and even dance to jazz music.
1920s formal Fashion Women was all about loose forms and straight lines. The clothes did not wrap the waist as they do in the present. Instead, they draped directly down from the shoulders. The term "drop-waist" was used to describe the "drop-waist" style because the belt was hung from the hips, not tummy.
Fashionable clothes meant that you would wear to large celebrations, weddings or for fancy dinners. The dresses you wore were unique. They were constructed of high-end materials like velvet, silk and Chiffon. The beads were adorned with as well as sequins and fringe that moved whenever you changed direction.
Key Features of the Look:
- Straight Silhouette: No curves! The aim was to make it appear as if a straight line, or an cylindrical shape.
- Lower Hemlines First time ever, it was possible to see women's ankles, and perhaps knees!
- Sparkle Sequins, beads as well as metallic threads were all over the place.
- Bare Arms Dresses with sleeves have become the norm.
Read also: Casual Wear for Plus Size Women: Modern And Stylish Outfits
Top 30 1920s Formal Fashion Women Styles and Trends
To help you understand the variety, I have made a list of the Top 30 1920s Formal Fashion Women trends. These are the specific things that made the look so famous.
- The Beaded Flapper Dress: The most famous dress covered in glass beads.
- The Drop-Waist Gown: A dress where the waistline sits low on the hips.
- The Robe de Style: A dress with a wide skirt, different from the straight flapper look.
- Fringed Hems: Strings of fabric that swung when dancing the Charleston.
- Silk Chiffon Layers: Thin, see-through fabric layered over a slip.
- Velvet Evening Coats: Long, soft coats worn over fancy dresses.
- Art Deco Patterns: Geometric shapes like triangles and zig-zags on fabric.
- Metallic Gold Lamé: Shiny gold fabric that looked like liquid metal.
- The "Handkerchief" Hem: A skirt that ends in points, like holding a handkerchief by the center.
- T-Strap Heels: Shoes with a strap forming a "T" shape to keep them on while dancing.
- Mary Jane Pumps: Classic shoes with one strap across the foot.
- Silk Stockings: Shiny, thin socks held up by garters (no pantyhose yet!).
- The Bandeau Headband: A strip of cloth or jewels worn around the forehead.
- Feather Fans: Big fans made of ostrich feathers to hold at parties.
- Long Pearl Necklaces: Pearls long enough to loop two or three times.
- Cloche Hats: Bell-shaped hats worn low over the eyes (mostly for day, but sometimes evening).
- Bakelite Bangles: Bracelets made of early plastic in bright colors.
- Cocoon Coats: Big, cozy coats that wrapped around you like a butterfly cocoon.
- Beaded Reticules: Tiny handbags covered in beads.
- Egyptian Motifs: Designs inspired by King Tut's tomb (discovered in 1922!).
- Low Back Dresses: Evening gowns that dipped very low in the back.
- Assuit Shawls: Scarves with real metal hammered into the mesh fabric.
- Kimono Style Wraps: Japanese-inspired jackets worn over gowns.
- Peter Pan Collars: Rounded collars on semi-formal dresses.
- Pleated Skirts: Skirts with tiny, sharp folds (accordion pleats).
- Lace Overlays: delicate lace fabric placed on top of colorful silk.
- Turban Hats: Wrapped headwear for a very exotic evening look.
- Fur Stoles: Pieces of fur worn over the shoulders for warmth and luxury.
- Costume Jewelry: Big, fake gems that looked real but were fun and cheap.
- Pastel Tea Gowns: Lighter, softer dresses for afternoon formal events.
What made sleeveless clothes fashionable in 1920s?
It's a good topic! What made sleeveless clothes fashion in 1920s? In the past the fashion was considered to be shocking that a woman showed her arms. 1920s Formal Fashion Women the idea was that it looked "naked." However, the 1920s were the time of revolt. There were, according to me, three major reasons.
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The freedom to move The women were dancing insane modern dances such as the Charleston as well as the Lindy Hop. Your arms can't move swiftly if you're wearing long, tight sleeves. The sleeves of dresses allow women to release their arms high!
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Changes in Morals Following World War I, young individuals stopped worrying about the rules set by their parents. Skin was used as a means to declare, "I am modern and free!"
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comfort: The formal gatherings were packed and hot. With no cooling, wearing bulky sleeves made it uncomfortable. An uni-sleeved dress was more comfortable.
Expert Quote:
"Fashion isn't an item that is found just in clothes. Fashion can be seen everywhere and on the streets, and it's all about concepts, how we do our lives, the trends that are going on.&nsp;" -- Coco Chanel, famous 1920s designer.
Chanel was instrumental in making sleeves-less clothes fashionable. Her belief was that women should be at ease.
The difference between formal and flapper fashion
A lot of people believe that everyone in the 1920s was one of the "flapper." This isn't the case! There's a huge contrast between flapper and formal attire.
The Flapper
The "Flapper" was a specific sort of woman in her 20s. It was a young rebel of the 1920s.
- Attitude: Smoked, drove cars and broke the law.
- Mode: Her dresses were the slimmest (knee-length). The model wore lots of cosmetics and cut her hair long.
- Vibe: The most fun, crazy and surprising.
The Formal Fashion Woman
This style was popular of elegant, sophisticated ladies or formal occasions.
- Attitude: Elegant, sophisticated and sophisticated.
- Style: Her dresses were usually longer, reaching her ankles or calf. The dress could be the "Robe de Style" which was a long skirt but and not the slim flapper style.
- Vibe: Elegant and costly.
Thus, even though the majority of flappers dressed in 1920s fashion but it wasn't all 1920s Formal Fashion Women had to be flappers!
Dark color formal dresses 1920s women trends
When we think about 1920s fashion, we usually consider silver and gold. However, formal attire in dark colors 1920s female fashions were crucial also. The most well-known dark color fashion is known as the little Black Dress (LBD). In the early 1920s, black dresses were only reserved for funerals and mourning. When you were wearing black, everyone believed you were mourning someone who was deceased. The year 1926 was when Coco Chanel printed a image of a dark dress for Vogue publication. It showed that black clothing could be elegant, chic and stylish. Then, everybody wanted to own one!
The reason dark shades were appreciated:
- It looked costly: Colors of black used to be expensive.
- The jewelry was able to pop: Diamonds and pearls appear brighter when viewed when viewed against a dark background of navy blue or black.
- They looked slimming. Even with their formless shape, the dark shades helped women look slimmer.
The other popular dark hues were deep emerald blue, navy blue and the rich red of burgundy.
Read also: How To Dress For Your Body Shape: Friendly Guide for Women
1920s women luxury fashion: Fabrics and Designers
In order to understand 1920s Formal Fashion Women one must take a look at the fabrics. We use today lots of polyester. The past was a time when luxury was high-end, natural material.
The Fabrics
- Silk Velvet: This was silky and soft to the touch. It draped beautifully. It was sturdy enough to hang straight and very soft.
- Chiffon: A very light, floaty fabric. Designers would place many layers of chiffon for an ethereal, cloudy appearance.
- Lame: A fabric woven using metallic threads. It was quite stiff, but it sparkled just like silver, or real gold when lit.
The Designers
If you were a wealthy woman in the 1920s you bought clothes from the following famous individuals:
- Coco Chanel Coco Chanel invented the fashionable, sporty appearance. Her jersey fabric was (like the material used in t-shirts) stylish.
- Jean Patou: The Frenchman was known for his sporty clothes and elegant, sleek designs.
- Jeanne L'anvin Her design was called"the "Robe de Style," that was romantic, and featured the full skirt. It was a different style to the straight flapper dress.
How to style a 1920s formal outfit
Are you looking to dress to go out? Here's my step-by-step guide to how to dress an elegant 1920s dress step-by-step.
Step 1: The Dress
Begin with a dress that features a drop-waist. The most crucial aspect! Your dress must hang loosely over your shoulders. Beware of anything that will squeeze your waist. Be sure to look for fringes or beads.
Step 2: The Shoes
It is recommended to use the T-strap heel and Mary Jane heels. The heel must be hefty and not overly excessively high (about 2-inches). It makes them easier to move around in and dance in.
Step 3: The Stockings
Be sure to not wear your shoes bare! Wear sheer stockings. In the 1920s, women would wear black, naked or even pastel hues in order to coordinate with the dresses. It was common for them to roll their dresses all the way to below their knee, if they were flappers!
Step 4: The Jewelry
The necklaces you layer. For example, a lengthy pearl necklace is a great choice. It is possible to tie a knot inside the pearls on the end. Wear some large hanging earrings, and then an assortment of bracelets around your wrist.
What hairstyles fit 1920s formal fashion?
Your hair can be a major aspect of how you look. What hairstyles are appropriate for 1920s formal dress? The cut of the "Bob" cut was the most popular hairstyle.
- Bob: A short hairstyle that ended at the cheeks. The haircut was sharp and blunt.
- The Eton Crop: Even smaller! It was hairstyles for men, which were quite close to the scalp.
- Finger Waves If you don't wish cut your hair, then you could apply gel to create "waves" that lay flat on top of your head. They looked like hair that was short but it was simply styled that the way.
If you're a hairdresser now and do not want to trim it or cut it, try an "Faux Bob." Hair is pin-pinned under itself, making it appear shorter!
Formal handbags for women 1920s
The bag is not forgotten! Ladies' formal purses in during the 1920s were tiny. They carried a small amount of makeup, mirrors along with a few coins.
- The Reticule A tiny pouch that has drawstring.
- The Mesh Bag: A bag that is made from tiny rings of metal (chainmail). The Mesh Bag was very well-loved and shiney.
- Beaded Clutch: Baded Clutch An envelope-shaped small bag with glass beads that be a perfect match with the outfit.
The bags were more of pieces of jewelry rather than a piece of luggage. They could be carried in one's hand, or tied to your wrist using a delicate chain.
1920s formal wedding guest dresses women
Are you planning an old-fashioned wedding? 1920s wedding formal guests' dresses were extremely romantic. If you are planning a wedding, I suggest you wear an Robe de Style. It's classy and isn't too "wild" like a flapper gown. Pastel shades like peach, violet, and mint green are very well-liked for weddings.
Do not wear black attire to the 1920s wedding (it was a little unfashionable for weddings at the time). Consider the softest silk or lacing. 1920s Formal Fashion Women a stylish hat is an essential item! An open-brim straw hat that is adorned with flowers is ideal to wear for an outdoor wedding or even a tiny hairband for a night wedding.
Casual vs Formal Women Fashion 1920s
It's crucial to be aware of how to distinguish between clothes for everyday use and formal attire. Let's take a look informal vs formal woman fashionable 1920s.
1920s fashion of everyday life
The daytime women were practical.
- Fabrics: Cotton, wool or jersey.
- Form: Still drop-waist, however, it is much simpler.
- Shoe: Oxford shoes (lace-ups) with a low-heel.
- Hairstyles Cloche hats: Cloche Hat was worn all day. It was very protective of hair and was very stylish.
1920s Fashionable women of the 1920s
The glamour of the night was evident.
- Fabric: Silk, velvet, metallic.
- Form: Sleeveless, low back, plenty of decorations.
- Shoes: High heels with straps.
- Headdresses: Sparkly bands or feathers as a substitute for headdresses.
Most noticeable was the sparkle. The day clothes were dull (no sparkle). The night clothes focused on getting the sun's rays!
Read also: The Best A-Line Dresses for Every Body Type
Great Gatsby 1920s fashion vs. Reality
I love the film The Great Gatsby. It's beautiful! But, is Great Gatsby 1920s fashion real? It's a not. Movies tend to exaggerate fashion. They tend to make dresses more tight and jewelry more expensive than the real thing. The 1920s were the real fashion of the time:
- The dresses were looser (not styled in tight, bodycon designs).
- The colors were soft than neons, and it wasn't just a matter of brightness.
- A feather is not the only thing that people wear on their heads!
The essence of style is true. The glamour, the extravagant and the joy are there. If you're planning to wear a dress that is appropriate for an Gatsby event, you are welcome to sprinkle some sparkle. This is all about having the "vibe" of being rich and unassuming.
Can you wear 1920s formal fashion today?
It is possible that you are thinking "Can you still wear 1920s-style formal attire in the present? " I can answer that with yes! A lot of contemporary dresses have been inspired by 1920s fashion. There are "slip dresses" at the moment in shops. These look very much like 1920s underwear that later became dresses.
Wear it but not appear to be dressed as a character:
- Mix and Match You can wear an embroidered 1920s shirt with contemporary jeans.
- Modern Hairstyle: Wear a 1920s dress, but leave your hair in its natural.
- Shoes: Pair a drop-waist dress with trendy shoes instead of old-fashioned shoes.
The timeless fashions for women in the 1920s includes 1920s fashion trends like the Little Black Dress, the pleat and the costume jewelry. These are the clothes we wear all the time!
FAQ's: 1920s Formal Fashion Women
Here are a few of the concerns I am frequently asked regarding this subject.
Is 1920s formal fashion still popular?
Yes! This is among the most sought-after designs for proms, parties and weddings. It is extremely flattering for all body types since it's not tight. It can make people feel elegant.
What is the difference between flapper and formal fashion?
As I stated in the past, flapper fashion is more youthful and short. formal wear is elegant long, sophisticated, and elegant. Imagine the distinction between a dress code for a club and gowns.
What hairstyles fit 1920s formal fashion?
Finger waves, short bobs or pin curls. If you've got long hair you can tie it into an angled bun (chignon) for a fake hairstyle that is short.
Did women wear bras in 1920?
They had, but they were not us! They had "bandeaus" which were strips of fabric that flattened the chest. This was a boyish fashion, and contours were kept hidden and not made visible.
Conclusion on 1920s Formal Fashion Women
I hope that you enjoy this entire guide for 1920s formal style women. The 1920s were a wonderful period when women seized the reigns of their lives and their wardrobes. Hair was cut and shortened their skirts and swayed to the beat.
If you're searching for 1920s Formal Fashion Women to dress up for a party or simply want to know more about the past, keep in mind the 1920s were all concerned with liberty. It is time to test out a dress with a dropped waist. You can play some jazz. Remember to put on your pearls!
Key Takeaways:
- Silhouette The straight and the loose (drop-waist).
- Main Item: The beaded dress.
- Accessories: Cloche cap or headband.
- Vibe: lively, rebellious and lux.
Thank you for your time! If you require more style ideas, I'm there to assist.
