America was in transition in the nineteen twenties. The economy was strong, and there was a revolution going on in art and literature. Women were experiencing their own changes. In 1920 the 19th Amendment was ratified giving women voting rights. The workplace was opening up to them. Smoking and wearing trousers in public was a sign of the times. As skirts got higher necklines got lower. Off the rack clothes made fashion affordable for many. Those of more modest means could purchase 1920s dresses patterns and make their own creations.
Most women were accomplished seamstresses and took pride in their skill. They often did not have the money necessary to buy off the rack clothing so they either paid a dime for a pattern or created their own using magazine photos to achieve the look they wanted. The savings went to accessories like shoes, belts, cloche hats, and silk stockings.
A staple in the wardrobe of a twenties housewife would have been the home dress. This was a simple garment made for everyday wear. Most of them were made out of cotton with a little lace or rickrack. White collars were common embellishments. Women wore aprons over their home dresses to protect their garments from cooking splatters and spills. Aprons were typically homemade.
Working girls need more formal wear for the office. Housewives as well changed into street clothes to go visiting or to run errands. A typical pattern would create a simple tailored dress of silk or wool. Women who lived in cities wore mostly greys, blacks, tans and navies. Country women leaned toward blue, red, white, and light grey.
Afternoon teas, in cozy tea rooms or in drawing rooms, gave women of the era a chance to wear something more sophisticated. An afternoon tea dress usually hit about mid-calf and was artfully decorated. They could use more colorful and lighter material for these dresses than would be used for a home dress. Women wore sheer stockings in colors to match their garments.
Women wealthy enough to go to college had to be outfitted for any occasion. Knit was the material of choice because it was so easy to wash. Coeds wore their skirts shorter and paired everything with a raccoon coat. This was a time when men and women changed for the evening meal. Most college women came to school with several dresses made of silk and other delicate materials which were appropriate for dining.
Evening wear was pretty much restricted to the upper class woman. They preferred dropped waist clothing in velvet, taffeta, silk, or chiffon. Beaded dresses were all the rage, and time consuming for women who tried to make them. Such a frivolous dress was a sign of wealth. Married and older women always wore sleeves. Only young girls showed their arms.
Styles come and go. The post World War I fashions are seen on catwalks every decade or so. If you are a seamstress and want to try your hand at a vintage 1920s dress, you will find reproduction patterns online. Originals are mostly collector's items selling for a lot more than the dime women originally paid.
Most women were accomplished seamstresses and took pride in their skill. They often did not have the money necessary to buy off the rack clothing so they either paid a dime for a pattern or created their own using magazine photos to achieve the look they wanted. The savings went to accessories like shoes, belts, cloche hats, and silk stockings.
A staple in the wardrobe of a twenties housewife would have been the home dress. This was a simple garment made for everyday wear. Most of them were made out of cotton with a little lace or rickrack. White collars were common embellishments. Women wore aprons over their home dresses to protect their garments from cooking splatters and spills. Aprons were typically homemade.
Working girls need more formal wear for the office. Housewives as well changed into street clothes to go visiting or to run errands. A typical pattern would create a simple tailored dress of silk or wool. Women who lived in cities wore mostly greys, blacks, tans and navies. Country women leaned toward blue, red, white, and light grey.
Afternoon teas, in cozy tea rooms or in drawing rooms, gave women of the era a chance to wear something more sophisticated. An afternoon tea dress usually hit about mid-calf and was artfully decorated. They could use more colorful and lighter material for these dresses than would be used for a home dress. Women wore sheer stockings in colors to match their garments.
Women wealthy enough to go to college had to be outfitted for any occasion. Knit was the material of choice because it was so easy to wash. Coeds wore their skirts shorter and paired everything with a raccoon coat. This was a time when men and women changed for the evening meal. Most college women came to school with several dresses made of silk and other delicate materials which were appropriate for dining.
Evening wear was pretty much restricted to the upper class woman. They preferred dropped waist clothing in velvet, taffeta, silk, or chiffon. Beaded dresses were all the rage, and time consuming for women who tried to make them. Such a frivolous dress was a sign of wealth. Married and older women always wore sleeves. Only young girls showed their arms.
Styles come and go. The post World War I fashions are seen on catwalks every decade or so. If you are a seamstress and want to try your hand at a vintage 1920s dress, you will find reproduction patterns online. Originals are mostly collector's items selling for a lot more than the dime women originally paid.
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