1920s Plus Size Fashion in the Jazz Age

The iconic image of the woman of the 1920s is the flapper. A photo of a tall thin woman in a drop waist shift dress and a cloche hat instantly identifies the era. However, just as fashion of the 1960s covered far more territory than bell bottom jeans and tie dye T-shirts, fashion of the Jazz Age was about more than being a flapper.

Two lovely ladies in full figure fashions

If a woman looking for plus size clothing in the 1920s wanted to wear the latest fashions from Paris she was going to be out of luck, although she was not alone. American women considered “average” in size felt a bit neglected by the Parisian fashion designers, too. Still, that did not mean that women needing plus size clothing were shut out of the fashion world.  Vogue said, “surely the makers of the mode do not expect all women whose waist-lines measure more than 34 inches to retire to one of those communities where the genial garment known as the Mother Hubbard is the last word in dress.”

1920’s  Plus Size Clothing Industry

1925 Lane Bryant Catalogg

When Lane Bryant opened its doors in the early 1900s, the term for its plus size clientele was “stout.” Whatever term they used, their business model was a success because by 1916, their sales were over $1 million a year. The fact that the founder, Lena Himmelstein Bryant, and her husband, Albert Malsin, bothered to take the time to actually research body sizes no doubt helped the company’s success. Lane Bryant did not simply want to make clothes in larger sizes. It wanted to make clothes that helped larger women look and feel their best. In their stores and catalogs they also made maternity clothing utilizing similar design principals.

Department stores and mail order catalog companies caught on to the plus size garment industry quickly. Offerings included dresses, coats, lingerie, corsets, hats, and shoes. Each style was designed to flatter her body type.

Charles Williams 1926 catalog describes this dress:

1926 Plus Size Silk Satin Dress

“The circular flare has proven itself very becoming to the stout woman. Slender lines are achieved on this ALL Silk Satin-Faced Canton Frock. The narrow panel set in with fagotting down the front is of contrasting color. The collar and long tie string at the front are very smart and effective. There is a half belt of self-materiel, which ties at the back. The Tiny glass buttons on the panel down the front add a smart finish. Stout sizes 38 1/2 to 54 1/2 inch bust. Navy, Brown, Black. $10.98”

In some ways, the style of the era actually created more plus size options. A woman could wear a straight evening gown that dropped straight to the floor, perhaps with an uneven hem, and be fashionable while still camouflaging her build. Wide, bell-shaped sleeves with fluting, buttons, or unusual shaped cuffs provided interest. Deep V backs elongated the body, as did longer, flared skirts. Tall women wore blouses with attached capes that started just under the shoulder blades, paired with a long skirt. Tulle capes were flattering and great for adding a touch of youthfulness.

Mother and daughter in full 20’s finery flattering to their shape

Woman in a drop waist dress with pleated skirt sides.

Crochet dress overlayed on a slip

Women in search of plus sizes also benefited from the popularity in sportswear. A big appeal to this clothing was that it came in colors other than black or navy blue. Manufacturers rarely created plus size clothing in bright colors (only in the past few years has that trend begun to change.) Other casual clothing that was popular was loose, unbuttoned cardigan sweaters worn with a long skirt. Stockings and shoes matched to avoid drawing attention to the ankle.

Sports Wear

1928 Hat for Fuller Faces

Of course, the emphasis on plus size clothing was concealment and to that end, fabrics were “quiet.” No swishing satin or ruffling taffeta. No high shine fabrics that glistened under bright light. That did leave a wide range of other fabrics, though, including crepe de chine, crepe romain, jersey, and twills. Hats were not too large and not too small with perhaps a drooping brim.

Enid Stamp Taylor, 1924, Actress and Plus Size Flapper

It seems that regardless of the decade and a woman’s frame, finding clothing that is both fashionable and flattering can sometimes be a challenge. However, the clothing industry made important strides in the 1920s in acknowledging that women come in all sizes and shapes. The fact is that most women were not flappers but that did not mean that they were relegated to the sidelines when it came to the fashion and fun of the roaring 20s.

Beautiful! Fringe bottom dress with lace center accent.

The North Carolina Mutual Quintet, led by Bessie Whitted, late 1920s

Plus Size 1920’s Fashions Today

I hear over and over again “twenties clothing does not look good on my curvy figure.” This is really a shame because when dressed in the right 20’s clothes, “stout” women look amazing. For example take Cherie S. posing in a beautiful 1920’s reproduction dress from Unique Vintage:

Cherie S. shows us how to dress well in 1920’s clothing

Cherie chose a straight fitting beaded dress worn with a long scarf coat that came to mid shin. Both the long beads on the dress and fringe on the coat create vertical lines that are very 20’s and very slimming. Well done Cherie! You look amazing (and congrats on your wedding.)

Here is another example. Last summer I helped my sister in law, Tricia, find a thrift store costume for the Great Gatsby Festival in Lake Tahoe. We started with a black 60’s velvet shift dress, added a matching velvet evening jacket, cute beaded purse, scarf for a headband, Mary Jane shoes, and simple long gold necklace. We were both really happy with the final outfit. Based on pictures of 20’s plus size catalog dresses this is pretty darn accurate and quite flattering.

Gatsby Costume

There are many tips women were given the 1920’s to choose the right clothing based on your figure as well as hair color, face shape, height and age.  I put all these tips in the free 1920’s Fashion or Your Body Type ebook. I just finished revising it with even more information and about 40 new pictures of 20’s clothing. It should help you pick an outfit that is the most flattering.

1920’s Fashion for Your Body Type V2
Click to Download now

Click to Download a PDF copy of the 1920’s Fashion for Your Body Type

Shopping Guide:

Stunning 1920s style dresses at Unique Vintage

1920’s plus size reproduction dresses and inspired dresses are plentiful this year. After looking at the dresses here  add shoes, stocking, hats, headbands and shawls.

1920’s One Hour Dress and Pretty Frocks ebooks are both excellent 20’s patterns adapted to your own measurements.

Sewing patterns- many in plus sizes. See the BIG list of 20’s patterns. 

More 1920s style plus size dresses for sale