Jazz and flappers are typically what comes to mind when the 1920’s are mentioned, however, there are many other events and trends that define the era the roaring Twenties. After World War I, the United States economy boomed due to industry expansion and a larger workforce, which in turn, caused families to have more disposable income. The 1920’s were a turning point for the nation with new outlooks on fashion and pop culture truly making the decade exuberant and fast wheeling. The 1920s were a time of technological innovation. New and improved appliances materialized and gained acclamation throughout the United States. Electric refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and washing machines made housework time efficient and easy. The increase in efficiency
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Coco Chanel was one of the most influential designers of the time period; her designs were simple with a sense of elegance. Chanel utilized the durable working class fabrics, making it fashionable to look poor. According to Anne McEvoy, author of Costume and Fashion: The 1920’s and 1930’s, a typical Chanel outfit would be a jersey suit, long unstructured jacket, pleated skirts, low heels, and accompanied with a short hairstyle (25). The most common hairstyle of the time was the Bob, in this style, hair was cut straight all around with bangs. A more drastic style is the Eton Crop, which most resembled a man 's haircut. This hair-do was often cut just below the ears in length and slicked back with gel. According to Jacqueline Herald, author of Fashion of a Decade: The 1920’s, fashion was also influenced by cubism and surrealism art. Fashion designers took elements from paintings by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali (23). These influences resulted in brighter colors and geometric patterned fabrics. Other influences in fashion came from different cultures around the world including the Japanese and Egyptians. Japanese kimonos gained popularity among wealthy women. Kimonos were silky Japanese robes with patterns of bamboo and fruit blossoms in vivid colors. In 1923,Egyptian motifs flooded the fashion industry. Women were fascinated by hieroglyphics and Egyptian patterns. The high demand for Egyptian styles was due to the discovery of King Tutankhamen, a year prior. Women went as far as bathing in iodine to achieve the desired Cleopatra
Coco Chanel was one of the most influential designers of the time period; her designs were simple with a sense of elegance. Chanel utilized the durable working class fabrics, making it fashionable to look poor. According to Anne McEvoy, author of Costume and Fashion: The 1920’s and 1930’s, a typical Chanel outfit would be a jersey suit, long unstructured jacket, pleated skirts, low heels, and accompanied with a short hairstyle (25). The most common hairstyle of the time was the Bob, in this style, hair was cut straight all around with bangs. A more drastic style is the Eton Crop, which most resembled a man 's haircut. This hair-do was often cut just below the ears in length and slicked back with gel. According to Jacqueline Herald, author of Fashion of a Decade: The 1920’s, fashion was also influenced by cubism and surrealism art. Fashion designers took elements from paintings by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali (23). These influences resulted in brighter colors and geometric patterned fabrics. Other influences in fashion came from different cultures around the world including the Japanese and Egyptians. Japanese kimonos gained popularity among wealthy women. Kimonos were silky Japanese robes with patterns of bamboo and fruit blossoms in vivid colors. In 1923,Egyptian motifs flooded the fashion industry. Women were fascinated by hieroglyphics and Egyptian patterns. The high demand for Egyptian styles was due to the discovery of King Tutankhamen, a year prior. Women went as far as bathing in iodine to achieve the desired Cleopatra