Last Updated on March 27, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
The 1920s represented a pivotal era in fashion history, marked by dramatic social changes following World War I and the devastating influenza pandemic.
As people emerged from these dark periods, fashion evolved dramatically, embracing modernity, freedom, and exuberance.
The decade, often referred to as the "Roaring Twenties" or the "Jazz Age," saw revolutionary changes in clothing, accessories, and social attitudes.
If you're looking to recreate authentic 1920s style—whether for a themed party, theater production, or simply personal enjoyment—this comprehensive guide will help you capture the essence of this iconic decade.
The 1920s marked a significant departure from the restrictive Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Women's fashion, in particular, underwent a dramatic transformation with the emergence of the "flapper" style characterized by dropped waistlines, shorter hemlines, and a more boyish silhouette.
Men's fashion, while less revolutionary, also saw changes toward more casual and comfortable styles, with accessories like cigars symbolizing sophistication. If you aim to achieve the perfect 1920s look, you can use premium Davidoff cigars.
Several factors influenced 1920s fashion: post-war prosperity led to increased consumer spending; women gained the right to vote in many countries, symbolizing new freedoms; the automobile became more accessible, necessitating practical clothing; Prohibition in America created a rebellious underground culture; and jazz music and dance crazes demanded more flexible clothing.
The ideal 1920s female silhouette was straight and boyish, opposite from the hourglass shape popular in previous decades.
Women embraced dropped waistlines (at hip level) or eliminated waistlines. Loose, tubular dresses that didn't emphasize curves became the norm, while flat chests became fashionable, with some women binding their breasts.
Hemlines rose dramatically during this period, reaching just below the knee by mid-decade. Shapeless day dresses and straight chemise dresses dominated women's wardrobes.
Women's clothing featured lightweight fabrics like chiffon, silk, and crepe de chine for everyday wear, while heavier fabrics such as velvet and satin were reserved for evening attire.
Bold geometric patterns, especially in Art Deco designs, became increasingly popular. Beading, sequins, and fringe adorned evening attire, creating movement and catching light on dance floors.
Rich, deep colors like jade green, royal blue, and vibrant red were fashionable, along with metallic fabrics and embellishments for evening wear.
For day wear, women gravitated toward drop-waist dresses with pleated skirts, cardigan sweaters paired with pleated skirts, and tailored suits with knee-length skirts.
Blouses with sailor collars or Peter Pan collars were staples, as were casual tea dresses with floral prints.
Evening wear became more elaborate, featuring heavily beaded or sequined straight dresses, chiffon or silk dresses with handkerchief hemlines, fringe-adorned dresses that moved dramatically when dancing, and velvet or satin gowns with asymmetrical hemlines.
While less dramatic than women's fashion, men's clothing in the 1920s had distinctive characteristics that defined the era's masculine style.
Men's fashion emphasized high-waisted, wide-legged trousers paired with suit jackets featuring natural shoulders and a fitted waist.
Double-breasted vests added formality to outfits, while suit jackets became noticeably shorter compared to previous decades, creating a more modern silhouette.
Men typically wore wool, tweed, and flannel suits for business and formal occasions, switching to linen and cotton for summer wear.
Pinstripes and checks were popular patterns that added visual interest to otherwise conservative attire.
Color choices remained relatively subdued, with navy, gray, brown, and black dominating, though lighter colors and fabrics were acceptable for summer attire.
A well-dressed man's wardrobe contained three-piece suits with high-waisted trousers, sometimes including Oxford bags (extremely wide-legged trousers) for the fashion-forward gentleman.
Knickers (plus-fours) were worn for sporting activities, while argyle sweaters and vests added patterns to everyday outfits.
Collared shirts with detachable collars allowed for versatility and easier laundering. For evening engagements, black tailcoats with white ties were required for formal occasions, while tuxedos (dinner jackets) sufficed for semi-formal events, always completed with patent leather shoes.
Accessories were crucial in 1920s fashion, often making or breaking an authentic look. The right accessories could transform a simple outfit into a period-perfect ensemble.
Headwear was essential for women, with cloche hats (bell-shaped hats that fit close to the head) being the most iconic choice.
Beaded or feathered headbands, elaborate turbans, and headdresses for evening occasions, along with decorative hairpins and combs, adorned women's hairstyles.
Jewelry choices included long pearl necklaces, often knotted or wrapped multiple times, Art Deco-inspired geometric pieces, dangling earrings, multiple bracelets worn together, and decorative brooches and pins.
Luxurious pearl jewelry, in particular, became a quintessential 1920s accessory. Quality pearl necklaces were a staple for fashionable women of the era, with single strands worn for the day and multiple strands or longer ropes reserved for evening attire.
Women also carried embroidered or beaded handbags and clutches, used decorative cigarette holders, draped themselves in fur stoles and wraps, wore silk or chiffon scarves, and donned elbow-length gloves for evening events.
Men rarely left home without proper headwear, choosing from fedoras and homburg hats for everyday wear, straw boater hats for summer, and flat caps (newsboy caps) for casual outings.
Other essential accessories included pocket watches with chains, collar pins and tie clips to keep neckwear neat, suspenders (braces) instead of belts, cufflinks for french cuff shirts, walking sticks for formal occasions, and cigars with elegant cigarette cases as social props.
Cigars were particularly popular accessories for gentlemen in the 1920s. Premium cigars represented the type of luxury item appreciated by sophisticated gentlemen of the era, adding an authentic touch to any 1920s character portrayal.
Proper shoes were critical to completing an authentic 1920s look. Women favored T-strap pumps with 2-3 inch heels, Mary Jane style shoes with button closures, Oxford shoes for daytime wear, spectator pumps (two-tone shoes), and embellished evening shoes with rhinestones or metallic details.
Men walked in two-tone spectator shoes (often brown and white), Oxford shoes in black or brown leather, wingtip brogues for business attire, and patent leather formal shoes for evening events.
The 1920s saw dramatic changes in beauty standards. The bob became the definitive 1920s hairstyle, with variations including the shingle cut (very short at the back), finger waves and Marcel waves for texture, and the Eton crop (a very short, almost masculine cut).
Makeup trends featured pale, powdered skin, dark, smoky eyes with kohl liner, thin, defined eyebrows often plucked into a curved shape, small, bow-shaped lips in dark red or burgundy shades, and rouge applied in a circular shape on the cheeks.
Men maintained short, neatly trimmed hair, often slicked back with pomade or brilliantine for a polished appearance.
Most men were clean-shaven, though small, thin mustaches were occasionally seen on fashion-forward gentlemen. Sideburns were cut above the middle of the ear, creating a neat, tidy appearance.
A daytime look might start with a drop-waist dress in a simple pattern, topped with a cloche hat or simple headband.
T-strap shoes to provide comfort and style, with a strand of pearl jewelry for added elegance.
A small handbag and minimal makeup with defined lips completed the ensemble. For evening engagements, you can choose beaded or fringed dresses paired with decorative headbands or feathered hair accessories.
Multiple strands of pearls, dangling earrings, bracelets, beaded or metallic clutches, dramatic eye makeup, defined lips, and long gloves for formal occasions to create a glamorous night-time appearance.
During the day, you can wear a three-piece suit with high-waisted trousers, collared shirts with collar pins, patterned ties, fedoras or boater hats, and oxford shoes or two-tone spectators.
Evening attire will consist of tuxedos or tailcoats depending on the formality of the event, white dress shirts with studs, bow ties (white for formal, black for semi-formal occasions), waistcoats or cummerbunds, patent leather shoes, and accessories like pocket watches and premium Davidoff cigars.
When recreating 1920s fashion, it's important to research photographs from the actual 1920s, not just modern interpretations.
Remember that most "flapper" costumes are exaggerated versions of actual 1920s fashion.
Pay close attention to fabrics and textures, don't forget the appropriate undergarments, and consider the social class and occasion your outfit would represent.
Keep in mind that the extremely short dresses often associated with flappers were only worn by the most daring women, and usually only later in the decade.
Dressing in an authentic 1920s style requires attention to detail and an understanding of the era's historical context.
From the revolutionary silhouettes to the distinctive accessories like pearl jewelry and fine cigars, each element contributes to recreating the glamour and excitement of this transformative decade.
Whether you're attending a themed event or simply appreciate vintage fashion, embracing 1920s style allows you to step back in time and experience the elegance and rebellion that defined the Roaring Twenties.
By following this guide and investing in quality pieces that reflect the era's aesthetic, you can create a look that authentically captures the spirit of 1920s fashion—a time when tradition was challenged, freedom was celebrated, and style was revolutionized.
