1920's Womens Fashions and the Changing Role of Women

Fashion has always been influenced by the mode of transportation, the architecture of the period, and the customs of the people, and so it was in the 1920's. In line with progress in other areas, clothing developed closer relationships with art, and an increased sense of freedom was expressed in simple yet elegant designs, with carefully selected fabrics, and an intelligent use of color.

Beautiful coordinated and accessorized outfits were a feature of 1920's ladies fashions. Hats, shoes, stockings, handbags, dresses and jewelry all came together in harmony to create a unique and elegant style that can only be appreciated when seen in real-life or in color illustrations. The vibrancy is lost in black and white photographs. a

Womens fashions experienced dramatic changes in the early 1920's following the end of the first world war in a period often referred to as the "roaring 20's". The passing of bustles and corsets gave clothing designers much greater freedom of expression. New and cololighter and brighter and shorter than ever before. Fashion designers played with fabric colors, textures and patterns to create totally new styles of dress. Hemlines rose for most of the decade but dropped slightly toward the end. Shoes and stockings assumed a greater prominence now that they were more visible. Silk stockings in all the colors of the rainbow, often with patterns, were designed to match the coordinated outfits of stylish women. rful fabrics echoed the joy felt by a war weary population following the end of hostilities.