1923 Fashions for Women and Men

1923 was a very interesting year of fashion. I call it a transition year away from the post WW1 romantic look to that of the coming boyish look of most of the roaring twenties. For men, the skinny Jazz Age look was beginning to fade and the new wide leg masculine shape was taking its place.

Women’s 1923 Fashion

Jump to 1923 men’s fashion. 

1923 Dresses

Waistlines on dresses were just beginning to drop to the upper hip level with a loose fit and straight-line silhouette. Belts were an accent but never cinching. Collars, cuffs and pockets were oversized for the babydoll look while sleeves were wide and shapeless.

Skirts were lightly gathered, straight and wide, 3-4 tiers or box pleated.

The most notable trend in 1923 was the hem length.  After hemlines crept up in the early 20s to mid calf, they now came down to just above the ankle. This sudden drop was an attempt to return Victorian modestly back to fashion and morals.

It didn’t work. Many young women continued to wear shorter hemlines and in two years fashions for all women would be shorter than ever-at the knee!

History of 1920s house dress and day dresses.

1923 Cotton House Dresses

1923 Lane Bryant House Dresses for Plus Sizes (I love all the colors!)

1923 January New York Trends

1923 August New York trends

1923 Summer Dresses

1923 plus size day dresses

1923 Long Dress, Faux Waistband

1923 Mrs. Coolidge Wears a Pleated Sleeve and Skirt Dress

1923 Party and Evening Dresses

Evening gowns followed the same straight-line, thin belted, loose fit that daytime dresses had. The Grecian look was still popular with draped panels hanging from the waist, round boatneck lines, and some fur trim in the winter or beading in summer.

Red seemed to be the trendiest color, accented in gold thread or beads.  Other metal colors inspired by Egyptian art such as gold, silver, black, jade green and teal blue were also popular.

An extra large feather fan was the most elegant accessory for the wealthy.

Evening shoes were pumps, colonials and straps embellished in diamonds.

History of 1920s evening gowns.

1923 Paul Poiret Egyptian style dress

1923 Bride Wears a Velvet Dress with Hat

1923 long evening dress and opera coat

1923 Evening gowns and opera coat

1923 Robe du Soir gown with fur trim

Lady Lucile lace evening gown

1923 Blouses and Skirts

Slip over blouses with wide round necklines or V collared wrap overs (Jacquette blouses) were paired with pleated skirts or plain loose gathered skirts.  Many blouses were embroidered with contrasting threads in folk art motifs. Paisley prints were also extremely trendy.

Most blouses were worn over a skirt with a wide band that button to one side or tied in a bow.

Casual skirts were often plain or big plaid or windowpane prints.  Plain skirt paired well with plain colored knitted blouses with a drawstring dropped waist.

Middy shirts were a summertime essential. The sailor collars and ties with white, grey or red blouse paired with nautical color skirts. They were worn for any kind of summer outing or sportswear.

1920s blouses and sweater history.

1923 embroidered blouses and skirts

1923 blouses and skirts

1923 two wrap jacquettes at the top

1923 middy blouses

1923 spring skirts and blouses

1923 knit slip on blouses

1923 Suits

Wool 2 peice suits with jacket and matching skirt were popular traveling, motoring and shopping outfits.  Jackets were loose with a deep V opening in spring and closed up with a thick collar muff in winter.  Many were trimmed in embroidery on the hem, cuffs and lapels.

Some spring jacket suits featured the wrap over style that fastened to the left side.

1920 skirts history and women’s suits.

1923 spring suits and sets

1923 suits and dress for spring

Wrap blouse and skirt

1923 Abercrombie knit skirts and tops /sweaters

Knitted sets could be suit-like when combining a wool knit skirt with knitted sweater  or cardigan. These were trendy with sport players (golfers) or outdoor enthusiasts (hikers.)

Sporting or for casual wear, many young women turned to wearing breeches (knee pants) with tall socks, men’s style shirt and necktie. These often came with a matching sport jacket or vest for an entire outfit called “togs.”

1923 Replica Sporting Togs Made by Lady Carolyn Runnells

 

1923 Coats & Jackets

Long overcoats with a side wrap tie or low button down were warm yet in the style of dresses. Shawl or muff collars were oversized with equally large sleeve cuffs and buttons.

Spring jackets matched dresses and were usually the wrap over style. Some black leather jackets with a high collar were also a fashionable trend for the young and fearless.

Most women had a fur stole or shawl in their wardrobe. It was practical to keep the chill out but more so to show off wealth.

1920s ladies’ coats history.

1920s Shawls, Wraps, Scarves, Fur Stoles

1923, dropped belts and longer lengths in stout sizes

1923 coats with embroidery

1923 spring jacket dresses

1923 coat, jacket, stole

1923 fur stoles

1923 fur coats and stoles

1923 Mrs. Charlton & daughter dress with fur shawl

1923 Mrs. LaFollette Wears a High Waist Lace Gown and Long Coat

1923 Shoes & Stockings

Women’s shoes in 1923 continued to offer lace up boots with high and low heels.  Lace up oxford shoes were the most practical and sporty while simple strap or cross straps shoes were a bit prettier.  For fancy dresses a pair of colonial pumps was always a smart choice.

1920s women’s shoes/boots and stockings.

1923 Hats

Hats were much more colorful and decorated than ladies dresses.

The cloche hat was just starting to come into style but with a full crown and curved brim.  Brimless hats that covered the forehead and around the hair were another early 20s style.

Most hats, however, for any season, had a decent size brim, worn low over the head with a slight turned down brim and a wide hat band or 3D flowers placed in front or sides. Many hats dripped in long soft feathers.

Metallic fabric turbans with braided brand were seen on many New York fashionable ladies in winter. It would take a few more years for these to go mainstream.

1920s women’s hat styles.

1923 Accessories

Women’s gloves history

1920s handbags

1920s Ladies Jewelry styles

1923 Lingerie & Sleepwear

1920s lingerie and night clothes history

1923 Men’s Clothing

1923 Suits

Men’s 1920s suit styles.

The slim jazz age suit was still in style in 1923 for young men.  Jackets buttoned high and tight at the waist with narrow shoulder and a full jacket skirt. Belted back jackets were sportier than plain back cousins. Common colors were largely drab blue, brown and grey.

Older, conservative men prefer the sack suit with a looser boxy fit. Shoulder were still narrow while the body lacked any waistline. Notch or peak lapels were not too wide or two narrow.

Most suits came with a matching 5-6 button vest.  The vests did not have lapels like they did in later years when suits were much baggier.

Trousers fit high up the waist with a flat front and slightly tapered leg. They could be held up with a belt (casual) or suspenders (better with suits.)

1923 Men’s Coats & Jackets

1920s men’s coats and jackets history

1923 Men’s Shirts and Knitwear

1920s men’s dress shirts and casual shirts

1920s men’s sweaters / jumpers

1923 Men’s Workwear & Casual

1920s men’s workwear

1920s Men’s Casual Clothing & Fashion Trends

1923 Men’s Boots and Shoes

1920s men’s boots and shoes styles

1923 Men’s Hats

1920s men’s hat styles. Also hat etiquette (fascinating!)

1923 summer straw hats

1923 Men’s Accessories

1920s men’s gloves, spats, pocket watches and more accessories history

1920s men’s neckties history

1920s men’s jewelry

And that, folks, is fashion in the year of 1923. Next year, we will dive into fashion in 1924, my favorite year of the 1920s!