The 1920s was a time of independence and freedom for women in terms of fashion. Hemlines rose and
silhouettes were baggy and almost boyish. It was known as the 'Jazz Age' and the time of the Flappers. Flappers were young women who, at the time, were not typical. They smoked, danced, drank alcohol- all things that were frowned upon for women. The dresses they wore were a lot more comfortable and allowed them to move more freely, this was important as the dances of the twenties were very energetic and lively.
The boyish look of the Flapper was kickstarted by Coco Chanel, who by 1920 was already a huge fashion leader. Chanel introduced the loose, jersey fabric into mainstream fashion which made everyday clothing more comfortable and easy to wear. The typical evening flapper dress was very opulent and heavily embellished with beads, feathers and often they would also have tassles which looked amazing when these women would dance. Waistlines dropped to around the hip which created the boyish figure. Short hair was the uniform for flappers and they would often wear a little hat or a headband to match their dress.
The Original It Girl, Clara Bow, was a huge film star of the 1920s. She is a perfect example of the flapper, with her wavy bob, thinner than thin eyebrows and cupids bow lips.
