In the 1920s, pants and trousers for women were still a taboo clothing item. Some rebellious women wore men’s knickers (breeches or jodphurs), plus fours, trousers, and even full tuxedos in gender-bending roles or for sportswear. Gangster girls wearing pinstripe pants may be a popular non-flapper costume, but it’s not historically accurate. The only conventionally acceptable form of nice pants or trousers were Asian inspired lounge pants (palazzo pants) or beach pajamas — with the latter being especially popular in the 1930s.
Today, many women who don’t like to wear dresses don 1920s style pants or trousers for their costumes. They can be rustic wool tweed pants for sport or flowing palazzo pants for a vintage inspired evening ensemble. Paired with a blouse, kimono jacket/robe, cloche hat, and pair of low heel Oxfords, the look is Jazz Age elegant.
Learn about the history of women’s 1920s pants and start shopping for 20s inspired pants:
Ladies 1920s Pants
A pair of wide leg pants is a 1920s alternative to dresses.