The Flappers In The 1920's

In 1920’s as it was known as the age of intolerance, women were breaking away from old sets of values. As this era began, a new breed of young women emerged whom soon enough were known as flappers. They were opinionated, smoked and drank heavily and very noticeably flaunted their fashion sense in ways considered to be shocking at that time. The Flappers were considered to be the first female youth subculture in Europe who dominated the cosmopolitan scene in the 1920’s. In this essay, I will cover how flappers came about as subculture and how dressing could identify the flappers.

World War I played a substantial role in developing women’s rights. As a result, numerous political and cultural changes were triggered which eventually resulted in

In the 1910’s, women were still wearing floor-length dresses. Waists were cinched, with the arms and legs covered. Corsets were a routine and having long hair was the standard. This Victorian look was the idealized image of beauty at that time. The Victorian attitude towards dressings created a strict moral climate. Undoubtedly, the flappers abandoned traditional garments such as long dresses and corsets, instead opting for skimpier clothes that were, by Victorian-era standards, outrageously provocative. Flappers did not comply to what society expected from young women dressing. The style was a straight, slim, unconstructed dress with a skirt that was about knee length. Instead of being fitted at the waist and curvy at the hips and bust, it was straight from top to bottom. Flapper fashion embraced all the things and styles modern with a taste of the boyish look. Flapper fashion emphasized on masculinity meant to assert equality. A fashionable flapper had short sleek hair, a shorter than average shapeless shift dress, a chest as flat as board, wore heavy make up, smoked with a long cigarette holder, exposed her limbs and exemplified the spirit of a reckless rebel who danced the night away. Underwear was minimal, sheer and lightweight. The bras of the early 20’s include home made ones in white cotton and which were little more than bust bodices with extra separation. Even some bras offered no support. Big busted girls resorted to bandaging their breasts flat to flatten the chest. None of the bras gave much shape, but few ladies were seeking anything more than stopping the bust from wobbling. Freedom from restrictive underwear gave women more mobility and more stamina. Other undergarments, garters, and petticoats became irrelevant. Women needed to be able to move and dance, to swing and sway. The arms were bared not only for evening, but also for day and the legs were covered in beige