Consumerism In The 1920s Essay

Superior Essays
America in the 1920s -- a period characterized by rapid modernization, economic prosperity, and abundant wealth. It is truly one of the most iconic periods in America’s brief history, from the barrage of new products hitting the market to the dramatic changes in lifestyle American people underwent. With this era of economic growth came the rise of consumerism and, as a direct result, a change in advertising techniques. Americans were being exposed to the fruits of capitalism, and they were embracing it. In addition, the 1920s saw a plethora of progressive social changes. Technology was embraced, and women in particular finally began to receive recognition and rights. Overall, American society underwent a massive shift in culture from the 1900s to the 1920s, …show more content…
The transition of women’s fashion from a conservative approach into much more sexualized, masculine, and progressive style is a manifestation of key 1920’s themes: materialism as a result of economic prosperity, a rise in the importance of advertising, and feminism. The seductive and masculine fashion and beauty statements of the 1920s sharply contrasted fashion and beauty standards of the 1900’s in that women allowed themselves to transform into multi-dimensional beings beyond the image of the innocent, delicate female that was prevalent in the 1900s. Prior to the Roaring Twenties, female fashion often depicted women as pure, harmless beings. Wearing tight corsets emphasizing a tiny waist and long, bustling skirts, their fashionable outfits were not only extremely conservative (CITE), but also physically restricting; anything other than housework was hard to do. Furthermore, makeup was scarcely applied; women strived for a subtle look, opting to pinch their cheeks instead of wearing

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    1920s Economy Dbq

    • 188 Words
    • 1 Pages

    The 1920s was a change in society one way is through the economy. In the 1920s the economy rose dramatically; this was because of the creation of credit. Credit was a way for people to buy things without paying for them until later. This led people to purchase things that were luxury items instead of things necessary for survival. Which led to the creation of the “Boom Cycle” which is demonstrated in Document 1.…

    • 188 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Decent Essays

    When the Great Depression arrived in the 1930’s it impacted America in a huge way. For starters, people could no longer afford exotic fashions for a snazzy night on the town and was left to returned more a to a basic style of design for women’s fashion.(Nash,4) Most of the exotic fashions were tested in the 1920’s so for 1930’2 they returned backed to a modest approach. For example, their skirts length became lower. The certain style in this time was the long slim look. The clothing was softly shaped, with easy graceful lines.…

    • 121 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    During the 1920s, lots of social culture were directly influence fashion trends. Women’s style had borrowed ideas from men’s style. During this period, women began to cut their hair, so they can wear small hat; they also worn like boyish style, such as jacket, shirt, pants, and ties. Women began to participate outside activities, such as sport like swimming, so their skin were exposed from the swimsuit. During the 1920s, dresses had a dramatically different than before.…

    • 216 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    1920's DBQ Essay

    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The 1920s was a time concerning the greatness and excitement of the United States. There were several new things happening in the country. The “Roaring Twenties”, as they nicknamed the 1920s, was real and sustained prosperity, bringing technology advancements, and lively culture. The economy in 1920 was booming.…

    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The nineteen twenties was a decade of economic advancement for the United States. The thrill of living an exciting and extravagant lifestyle is what led this time to be referred to as the “roaring twenties”. Americans were transitioning from a time of war to a time of happiness, peace, and comfort. The economy thrived on technology, advertisements, the stock market, automobile, and creation of new products. With the help of President Calvin Coolidge, the United States’ economy flourished.…

    • 876 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Why the 1920s Deserve the Title “The Roaring 20’s” Many people who have had the pleasure of living or studying the 1920’s would call it a prosperous and exciting era in human history. With soldiers coming back from war with a less conservative mindset and money to spend, society gave way to strong surging social and technological innovation, which has never been forgotten. The 1920’s was the best era because of it’s entertainment, technology, and advancement in women’s rights.…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    During the 1920’s, people in America seemed to live in a world of wealth and luxury. The economy was booming due to little government interference and workers were receiving higher wages. People could choose from new products such as refrigerators, washing machines, and cars. However, this prosperity wouldn 't last long. The people of this era were part of the worst economic depression in history.…

    • 1370 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Fashion has always been a clear marker for change in history. In the nineteenth century, many change occurred: new means of transportations, changing work environment and new societal demeanour could be observed in New York City. The advent of ready-made clothing brought the different classes closer to one another and this change in style reflected the changing mores of society concerning the place of women in the city. The growing industry, opening of shopping malls and the subsequent changing habits helped define the “new woman” as their position in society and toward the men shifted. For starters fashion had always been a means to show one’s status to others, with the apparition of shopping malls and the rising of ready-made clothing industry people could now purchase…

    • 730 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Is The 1920s Good Or Bad

    • 1021 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The general public considers the 1920s to have been a good time for most Americans. The tasks set before us are to assess what we think of this time period, is the previous statement generally accurate, and to support our position on the statement. In order to accurately make an assessment, let 's research the 1920s. The 1920s are remembered as the "Roaring Twenties," an age of tremendous social and political change, and also a rebellious age.…

    • 1021 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Consumerism In The 1950's

    • 185 Words
    • 1 Pages

    The times going into the 1950s had its own period of change after the Second World War. A new society was being made in this post war era. The idea of family values and the suburban lifestyle was taking a hold in America. With these family ties getting close, a revival of being more religious was being revived showing more conservative values. This soon became the new norm with a form of social conformity .This era of change brought on a new form of consumerism for the middle class .…

    • 185 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    consumerism, the promotion of the acquisition of goods, as a vehicle for personal satisfaction, was another social trend of the era and lento massive changes in culture and lifestyle of americas that the era became associated with modernism, consumerism, sophistication and decadence. New technologies like the automobile, household appliances, and other mass-produce products advertised in improved manners led to a vibrant consumer culture, stimulating economic growth,furthermore, After an initial recession in 1919, middle class Americans moved to a period of prosperity. Between the years from 1921 to 1924 the nation’s gross national product jumped from $69 billion to $93 billion and wages rose by 22% from roughly $36.4 billion to $51.5 billion. consequently with more leisure time available and money to spend, americans where eager to own the latest item and it was seen that “European luxuries are often necessities in America” and that “one could feed a whole country in the old world on what America…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    As decades go by, fashion changes all over the world. Many people influenced the fashion industry during the 1920’s. It was a time of change and time of trying new things. Trendsetters from this time changed the way women viewed themselves and still influences many today. One person who influenced many during the 1920’s, especially women, is Coco Chanel.…

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Flapper Fashion

    • 1065 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Fashion has always been an influential and evolving part of women’s lives throughout history. However, it did not start to become a psychical and psychological health problem in America until the 1920s. Though the iconic “flapper” era brought about edgy clothes that led to a beneficial feminist movement, it also fostered the detrimental idea that women’s appearances must be perfect at all times. Thus, these unattainable standards led to the feeling of inadequacy that is still prominent in society today.…

    • 1065 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The 1920’s were a turning point in American society, the time that ignited consumer culture, partying, and optimism, rightfully earning the title of “The Roaring Twenties”. However, they were also a time of reckless behavior and cluelessness, a time of, “more more more”—when even the best did not seem good enough.…

    • 1408 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Did you know that Ellis Bell, the author of one of the greatest love stories ever told, Wuthering Heights, was actually a female who used this pen name as a cover up? Emily Bronte wrote the book under a masculine name because in the late 1800’s it was frowned upon for women to exceed through any form of entertainment. The 1920’s are noted to be a turnaround for females who aspired to write and publish novels. The “Roaring Twenties” was a significant transition in American entertainment because of the changes in the roles of women, the bohemian lifestyles, and the opportunities for entertainment to reach all classes of people. Women in this era were just given the right to vote which meant they were taking a step up in the responsibility of people in the United States.…

    • 2291 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Superior Essays