The lifestyle of the roaring twenties brought forth an exciting revolution of fashion and music. Young women known as flappers dazzled in colorful, ornate beading and dropped their corsets for the loose silhouettes made popular by the Jazz Age. As this radical fashion subculture rose to prominence in the US, the garments of the flappers boldly embraced minimalism, ushering in a new era of freedom and expression. In this article, we will explore the influence of the Jazz Age on flapper fashion, uncovering how they merged music and style to challenge the status quo of the Twenties.
1. Painting a Flapper Picture: The Rise of Edgy Twenties’ Style
The 1920s was a vibrant time in the United States; a modern style was on the rise and the impact of the Great War was fading. Whilst art of this time seemed to be characterized by glamour and extravagance, a new style emerged: the flapper era. The flapper fashion was considered to be a radical and rebellious style; it deposed stiff Victorian clothing for fashions that involved soft, loose-fitting dresses, thin straps and shorter hair.
The flapper style also extended to painting. Progressive modern artists such as Tamara de Lempicka and Gerald Murphy experimented with novel abstract styles and were first to develop the flapper aesthetic. This movement depicted the modern-day life of the urban elite, with its glamour, allure and freedom that the upper middle-class experienced in the 1920s.
The rise of the flapper can be seen in the palette of colors used during the era: a mix of pastels, strong reds and blues, even metallic shades like silver were used to capture the youth of the tumultuous Twenties. This gave the paintings a new kind of edginess and depth that was not seen before, allowing for a more contemporary feel.
The flapper style also experimented with composition, with new ways of depicting human figures, nature and abstract forms of art. The 1920s revolutionized painting and gave way to a new generation of painting techniques that would shape the art world into what it is today.
2. Jazzing It Up: The Move Towards Liberal Attitude and Fashion
The coming of the new decade ushered in a fresh breed of outlook and perception. At the forefront was the birth of a liberal attitude and an evolution in fashion. People embraced the way they wanted to express themselves, and began introducing their own unique twist to everyday items. Gone were the days of ‘normal’ outfits and ‘regular’ hairstyles: now, women opted for daring silhouettes and tried out playful color combinations, and men experimented with their jewelry and even daring combinations of skin-revealing clothes.
Here’s what it meant for fashion:
- More expressive outfits and color combinations
- A lot of experimentation with shape and form
- Unconventional and interesting piercing accessories
- A wider acceptance of body art
As the fashion industry started becoming more open-minded, the range of available products expanded. High street shops started stocking a variety of daring and novel clothing items, while local people opened their own shops to cash in on the trend. Accessories became a lot more than just a necessity, and were instead a way to express one’s personal style.
Today, the fashion scene has come a long way from its initial years of its inception. The younger generation has embraced the idea of an individualistic approach to the expression and experimentation of fashion – and the jazzing it up revolution continues to expand!
3. Becoming a Cloud-Kicker: The Symbolic Meaning Behind the Flapper Dress
The 1920s look was distinguished by the iconic flapper dress, an essential part of the flapper look. The flapper dress was a symbol of rebellion against the accepted norms of the era, a statement against the conventions of the day and a statement of strength for young women. It represented the spirit of freedom and fun, the idea that young women could be independent and stylish, unhindered by traditional expectations.
It was not only a fashion statement, but an attitude and a lifestyle, one that female flappers embraced. They cut their hair into shorter bobs, danced outrageous dances, and smoked cigarettes and drank cocktails in public. They were embracing their youth and the newfound freedom they had discovered.
The flapper dress was more than just a fashion choice. The silhouette of the dress symbolized a sense of freedom: the skirt was often made of light fabric that billowed and moved as the wearer walked and danced, while the shorter hemline allowed women to show off their legs and be physically active, something that had previously been considered inappropriate for women. The dress was something of a liberation from the restrictive clothing of the time, emphasizing the idea of self-expression and control.
- The flapper dress was a symbol of self-expression, as it enabled young women to be creative and show off their individual style.
- The flapper dress was a symbol of emancipation, as it allowed women to move freely, and gave them more control over their wardrobe.
- The flapper dress was a symbol of rebellion, as it challenged traditional expectations and allowed young women to be more adventurous.
The flapper dress was an essential part of defining the iconic 1920s look, and it was a symbol of liberation and emancipation for young women of the era. Today, the flapper dress is still popular and used as a way to make a statement about freedom of expression and self-determination.
4. The Evolution of Jazz Music and its Effects on Twenties’ Fashion
Within the first two decades of the twentieth century, jazz music began to assert itself as one of the most popular forms of music in all of the United States. Numerous movements and styles within the genre were developed, each with their own unique style and sound. Most notably, Jazz began to reach a mainstream audience, allowing it to become incredibly influential in many aspects of the culture of twenties. One of the most prominent areas in which jazz would have a lasting impact was on the fashion of the period.
It’s impossible to look towards fashion in the twenties without considering the influence of jazz music in the culture. Although the basic elements of fashion from the jazz period remain commonplace in today’s world, the jazz influence itself has faded. However, for the time, it was irrefutably evident that the sound of jazz had an impact on fashion. Jazz fashion was characterized by the following:
- Fringe – Dresses, blouses, and sweaters were all adorned with fringe which swung as dancers moved.
- Exaggerated outlines– Jazz had an ‘over the top’ feel to it, with wide shoulders, high waist silhouettes, and bell bottoms.
- Bright colours – Much of the era’s jazz fashion was characterized by its bright and bold colours which matched the vibrancy of jazz music.
- Sequins and Beads – Towards the middle of the decade, sequins and beads were introduced to the jazz fashion look.
It’s clear that jazz music in combination with fashion was a large part of many individual’s identities, lending to jazz’s universality and power among popular influences in the twenties. Whether in attire or the dance aspect of the genre itself, jazz was about more than just the music—fashion played a key role too.
5. The Aftermath of The Roaring Twenties Revolution: Legacy of Flappers and Jazz Music
The Roaring Twenties was an era of immense cultural revolution. Music and fashion changed drastically, along with the lifestyle of many people.
The primary embodiment of this historic era was the flapper. Flappers were the image of the modern woman and their fashion represented the freedoms of the 1920’s. With their short dresses, shorter cropped hair and bold makeup, they moved away from the orthodox Victorian style of the past and made a statement.
The loud roar of the age was accentuated by the Jazz music. This genre of music took Europe by storm with the advent of big bands and greats like Louis Armstrong. Jazz broke the shackles of tradition, allowing performers to experiment with styles of improvisation. It was a source of entertainment for the youth of the 20’s and provided a platform for the African-American community to showcase their talent.
The legacy of flappers and Jazz music is still alive in today’s pop culture. The fashion of the flapper era is often seen in fashion magazines. Jazz music has been at the forefront of modern music, with genres such as Jazz-funk, Jazz-rock and Latin Jazz, all evolving from it. It has become a popular genre of music globally over the past few decades.
The Roaring Twenties revolution was a defining moment in the history of humanity and its effects have been felt across generations. Its influence on music and fashion remain strong, even to this day.
The flappers and jazz of the Roaring Twenties were a revolution in fashion and culture. The bright colors, bold styles, and lively sounds of this era were an integral part of its character, and still provide a source of inspiration today. With inventive flair and unique style, the flappers of the twenties still etch a lasting impression on the modern world.
