Introduction

The 1960s is often heralded as the decade that reshaped and invigorated the fashion world, but in my opinion, the 1920s are not given enough credit. A shift in attitude towards dressing in the later years of the decade paved the path that fashion has since moved along, occasionally wandering but always reflecting on its origins and taking cues from the era.

As the 1920s progressed, technology, jazz and marketing all expanded and evolved – although it is often felt that the traditional attire most men wore at the time did not reflect these advancements.

The focus of this article is on the later years of the 1920s, which was a period draped in luxury and extravagance.

The 1920s: A Shift In Attitude

Fashion of the 1920s is characterised by two contrasting periods, where tradition and resourcefulness preceded the extravagance of the ‘Roaring Twenties’. Post World War I, fabric was something of a luxury. Returning soldiers, as much as the public, were keen to put the horrors of the war behind them and this meant that the classic Victorian garb and military jackets were to be replaced.

It wasn’t that fashion was responsible for the disregard of conventional mores of the time, but fashion was certainly part of an avant-garde movement led by artists all over Europe, who were trying to affect the arts. They attempted to readdress the distinct gap between art and life; it was their belief that there was no division between ‘fine’ art and ‘applied’ art.

Inspired designers began to fuse luxury and practical wear, throwing restrictive dress out the window, whilst a period of global economic boom meant a tide of opulence and elegance swept the nation. Regimented, formal dress made way to freedom and expression – values that wove their way into the very fabric of the fashion industry.