1920s Fashion History and Costume Guides

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1920s Fashion History

1920s fashion history and how to dress in 1920s style clothing. Whether dressing up for a roaring twenties themed event, finding a costume for a play, or doing research for a book these articles about life and fashion in the 1920s will help you.

Non-Flapper 1920s Outfit Ideas

When most people think of 1920s fashion they think of short, fringe, sequin or beaded slip dresses with feather boas and headbands, long cigarette holders and long white pearl necklaces. While there is some truth in the accessories, flapper dresses are far...

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September 7, 2018

Peaky Blinders Outfit – Suit, Hat, Shirt, Coat

The Peaky Blinders TV series has captured audiences around the world with gritty, somewhat true, accounts of the lives of Birmingham’s criminal gang Peaky Blinders. The fascination with the 1920s era, gangster life, and questionable characters have led to...

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June 26, 2018

1920s Art Deco Jewelry: Earrings, Necklaces, Brooch, Bracelets

The Art Deco Story: Costume Jewelry in the 1920s Barbara Schwartz, www.trufauxjewels.com A symbol of the glamour and luxury that prevailed in the 1920s, Art Deco is the decorative style that reached its peak between the two world wars. Characterized ...

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January 29, 2018

Vintage Boots- Winter Rain and Snow Boots

Knee deep in snow? Sloshing through the mud? Dancing around rain puddle? When mother nature gets wet what in the world is vintage loving gal to wear? This is a BIG question asked every winter. Did women wear vintage boots with dresses? How can I ...

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October 24, 2017

Vintage Flats – History & Pictures

Question: I can't wear heels. What flats can I wear with my {insert decade} dress and still be authentic? The answer to this common question is a tricky one. For the most part, up until the late 1950s, flats, were not an option. There were some low heel sho...

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October 12, 2017

1920s -1930s Beachwear Summer Outfits- Great Gatsby Lawn Party

This past weekend was my 8th year attending the Lake Tahoe Great Gatsby Festival. It is always my favorite event of the year and the one place we all dress up in 1920s summer outfits. Usually, we wear 1920s summer dresses and suits, coordinated head to toe...

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August 16, 2017

How to Make a 1920s Day Dress- DIY Gatsby Costume

In 2013 I wrote a guest post for American-Duchess's blog about a 1920s house dress I made inspired by a 1922 dress in a catalog I have. It's about time I share this dress here on VintageDancer too! This is my all time favorite 1920s dress I have ever made....

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June 5, 2017

Vintage Overalls 1910s -1950s Pictures and History

I a have thing for overalls. In the mid '90s I was a teenager and the trend for overalls came back in style. I wore mine everywhere paired with a striped shirt and heavy boots. Oh and a plaid flannel shirt. I called it the lumberjack look. Eventually it we...

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February 14, 2017

Vintage Socks | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s History

Socks are often overlooked or disregarded as items of little importance. Indeed, socks are hardly perceived as garments of glamour. Despite this, however unimportant they appear; attitudes towards socks has shifted throughout the twentieth century. In part...

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January 31, 2017

1920s Gangster Costume- How to Dress Like Al Capone

1920s gangsters were men who controlled the illegal distribution of alcohol during the Prohibition. Just like neighborhood gangs today, 1920s gangster mobs controlled certain sections of larger cities. Their territorial battles often ended in blood baths l...

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November 29, 2016

A History of Belts 1920-1960

This article will explore a history of women's belts 1920-1960. Here I will showcase popular styles, materials, and the way in which belts were generally utilized and included as a fashion accessory. A History of Belts 1920-1960 Whilst belts ca...

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November 23, 2016

Men’s Vintage Workwear – 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s

Lately I have received quite a few questions about men's vintage workwear from the 1920s to the 1950s. Readers want to know what types of clothing were worn to work as farmers, mechanics, groundskeepers, railroad men, delivery drivers and other labor inten...

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November 8, 2016

Vintage Scarf Styles -1920s to 1960s

Today we take a look at vintage scarf styles in spring and summer weights and how they were worn through each decade 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Later this year we will learn about winter weight scarves and accessories. Vintage scarves have be...

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September 6, 2016

How to Make a 20s Flapper Dress

Every year I attend a 1920s themed event and every year I either make or buy a flapper dress. I am using the word flapper loosely. I avoid the fringe flapper dress look because it is not accurate to the 20s nor appropriate for a daytime event. When I make...

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August 8, 2016

1920s Style Mens Shirts | Peaky Blinders Shirts and Collars

We love watching Peaky Blinders, Boardwalk Empire, Downton Abbey and all the other 1920s movies and TV series. The colorful striped gentlemen's suits and country tweed sport suits are always complimented with a striped or colored white collar shirt. Early ...

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July 20, 2016

Miss Fisher Inspired Clothing: 1920s Outfits

In this new series, I will be showing you how to recreate vintage looks and styles using items available from the retailers of today. The further back in time we go; unfortunately, the difficulty of finding original vintage pieces increases proportionately...

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April 12, 2016

1920s Outfit Ideas: 10 Downton Abbey Inspired Costumes

With the final season of Downton Abbey complete, I wanted to re-create some of my favorite looks from the past seasons. I have plenty of new and thrifted '20s style clothing in my collection, so these 1920s outfits were pretty easy for me to put to...

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January 12, 2016

Vintage Sweaters – 1910s, 1920s, 1930s Pictures

With fall in place and winter close by I have been on the lookout for vintage sweaters. I love the chunky knits, big buttons and wintery patterns. At times like these I wish I knew how to knit better. My skill set remains at a simple scarf, yet I dream of ...

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October 15, 2015

Lake Tahoe Great Gatsby Festival- 1920s Ladies Summer Fashions

The Tahoe Heritage Foundation’s annual Great Gatsby Festival is a very fun event for anyone who loves history. It is especially fun if you can dress like a fashionable 1920s lady and stroll through the beautiful grounds of Valhalla in style. To get star...

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August 11, 2015

Where to buy detachable collars? Answered

Question: Where can I buy detachable collars? Answer: For most of the 19th century and into the early 1920s men's shirts did not have collars or cuffs attached to them. Instead collars were purchased separately and attached to the shirt with a button at the...

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June 26, 2015

20s Dresses | 1920s Dresses for Sale

The earlier the decade the harder it is to find good vintage inspired or reproduction dresses for sale. This is especially true for 20s dresses. Most clothing of the 1920s decade is found on cheap costume sites which is fine for a one time party but not a ...

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June 24, 2015

1920s Grooms and Groomsmen Attire

June is the month for weddings so it is no surprise I have been asked for help dressing groom and groomsmen for a 1920s themed wedding (or gangster, Art Deco, prohibition, Great Gatsby, Downton Abbey themes.) Vintage inspired 1920s weddings are very...

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June 19, 2015

1920s Fashion for Men

1920s men's fashion was the start of menswear as we know it today. Only minor changes in menswear have come about since the 1920s. It was a time of classic sophistication with a level of fun that I haven't seen since. Suit colors were mostly neutral with ...

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April 19, 2015

1920s One Hour Dress Pattern Tips and Review

You can make a 1920’s Gatsby tea party dress quickly with the “One Hour dress” pattern. Here are tips to help turn your on-hour dress from boring to beautiful.

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April 13, 2015

Great Gatsby White Suit- Get the Leonardo DiCaprio Look

Although the movie hasn't come out yet I am 99% sure that every man is going to want the white suit that Leonard DiCaprio wears in The Great Gatsby. Back in 1974 it was Robert Redford's white suit that attracted so much attention and still does today! I wr...

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March 18, 2015

1920s Formal Dresses & Evening Gowns Guide

The 1920s was a decade filled with all-night partying. Jazz music exploded and people danced the night away in clubs around the globe, doing the Charleston, the Shimmy and the Tango. Money seemed plentiful, and electrifying parties at mansions and ball...

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December 21, 2014

1920s Shawls, Scarves and Evening Jacket Tips

As we head into fall and winter our short sleeved 1920s dresses may not be warm enough for a winter party. That and not all women like to expose bare arms any time of year! The solution in the 1920s is similar to today- wear a shawl, wrap or large scarf to...

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October 16, 2014

Boardwalk Empire Men’s Clothing

The final season of Boardwalk Empire is underway. It is bittersweet for the fans who love the show and especially the fashion. The series began in 1920 and ended last season in 1924. Those four years set in motion a major change in men's apparel from the gloom...

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September 11, 2014

Great Gatsby Attire- Couples Outfit

At the end of May, my local opera company, Nevada Opera is hosting a 1920s Great Gatsby Gala at the famous National Automobile Museum. There will be music, dancing, food and wine, and lots and lots of gorgeous cars on display! Its been an honor to be chosen to...

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April 30, 2014

40 Men’s Vintage and Vintage Inspired Clothing Shops

While the choices of vintage and retro style clothing for women are many, for men there are fewer options. The market for affordable new men's vintage inspired clothing or vintage reproduction clothing just hasn't caught on yet. The best options for men are cu...

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April 29, 2014

1920s Accessories | Great Gatsby Accessories Guide

Women and teens in the flapper era had several options for wearing 1920s accessories. Regardless of the accessory, the colors were pastels in summer, rich jewel tones for an evening, or the Art deco color palette of red, black, and jade green for the bold New ...

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April 20, 2014

Vintage Maternity Clothes History

Having children is wonderful. Being pregnant, not so wonderful. Trying to dress vintage while being pregnant or nursing... challenging. Vintage maternity clothes have a limited history. Being pregnant was a taboo subject, and nursing your own child was out...

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April 3, 2014

Best 1920s Prom Dresses – Great Gatsby Style Gowns

With prom season just around the corner I am starting to see some trends happening on my Pinterest boards. The biggest prom theme trend is the 1920s theme. No doubt inspired by the Great Gatsby movie, this year's new selection of prom dresses have beading and...

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April 1, 2014

Vintage Lingerie Photos and Ads 1920-1950

Vintage lingerie. So elegant, so pretty, so silky, so sleek, so wish I could wear these everyday, don't you? They are almost too pretty to wear under clothes. This week's photo roundup is all about vintage lingerie as featured in ads, catalogs and photographs....

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February 17, 2014

7 Easy 1920s Men’s Costumes Ideas

So you have a prohibition era 1920s event to dress up for and you don't know what to wear? Here are 7 men's 1920s costumes you can make from clothing you may already have or can attain from a thrift store, new clothing store or online retailer. How "easy" it w...

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February 13, 2014

Vintage Hats from the 1920s-1950s

This week's photo roundup theme is hats. Lots and lots of vintage hats spanning the 1920s to the 1950s! Enjoy. This week we are sharing ladies lingerie pictures and catalog pages. I may throw in some men's too. Catch them...

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February 10, 2014

Vintage Dancing Photos

If you follow the Facebook page you probably noticed all the vintage photos, catalog scans, and sale announcements I have been posting. Each week I pick a theme and post a few images a day. The response has been great so I thought I would share those same imag...

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February 3, 2014

Downton Abbey Men’s Fashion Guide

Gentlemen, or ladies shopping for gentlemen, dressing up like a true Downton Abbey gentlemen is not very difficult to do. Depending on your event you will need either a formal suit or day suit with the right accessories that will take you back to the early 1...

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January 29, 2014

Flapper Costume: How to Dress Like a 20s Flapper Girl

The roaring twenties will forever be remembered as the decade of flappers. "Bright Young Things" dressed up for a night on the town at a dance hall or illegal speakeasy. What did flappers wear? Free of the moral and physical constraints of the previous decades...

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January 22, 2014

10 Easy 1920s Costumes You Can Make

After years of sewing my costumes from scratch, I discovered the joy of thrift store costuming. Now I buy up anything and everything I can that resembles 20s fashion and make my own vintage inspired 1920s costumes. I love the hunt, the deals, the creativit...

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January 20, 2014

Downton Abbey Costumes Ideas

Attending a Downton Abbey themed event? Well then you must look the part. Whether you want a formal evening look with all the sparkle and shine of Downton herself or a sophisticated day look for an afternoon tea party, creating a Downton Abbey costume can be...

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January 5, 2014

1920s Winter Fashion- Dresses & Clothing

Reader Maria wrote to me asking about 1920s winter fashion that is warmer than the typical short "flapper" dresses. With the exception of thick wool and wool overcoats, 1920's clothing in the fall and winter wasn't very different than in the spring and summer...

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December 10, 2013

1920s Mens Hairstyles and Products History

In the 1920s, men were almost always wearing a hat. While the trend faded with the young collegiate men, the hairstyle for both hatted and unhatted men were the same. The look was for flat, slicked, shiny, medium length hair. The helmet like appearance...

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October 30, 2013

Authentic 1920s Makeup Tutorial

Most 1920s makeup tutorials online show how to apply 1920s inspired makeup or looks based off of black and white film movie stars. Both are inaccurate to the real 1920s. Makeup for the everyday woman was much softer and more natural. This tutorial is about cre...

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October 23, 2013

Roaring Twenties 20s Fashion Guide

A roaring twenties themed event is one of my favorite decades to dress up for. It is both incredibly glamorous and not too difficult to find something to wear. This wasn't always the case. When I began researching and writing about 1920s fashion there was litt...

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October 21, 2013

1920s Hairstyles History- Long Hair to Bobbed Hair

Make no mistake. In the 1920s, a woman deciding to cut her hair was serious business. Simply put, long hair was considered feminine and short hair was not. Consider F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story from 1920 called “Bernice Bobs Her Hair.” Bernice, ...

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October 17, 2013

1920s Makeup Starts the Cosmetics Industry- History

Before the 20th century, “nice girls” did not wear makeup, which was commonly called “paint.” This differed from cosmetics such as face creams and similar products that were intended to improve the skin, not mask it in the way that paint did. Even into...

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October 14, 2013

1920s Accessories: Gloves, Watches, Glasses, Canes, Cigarette Holders

This week we are wrapping up the fashion part of the 1920s style guide with a look at men's and women's accessories: Gloves, watches, handkerchiefs, cigarette holders, flasks, glasses, umbrellas, and canes. Gloves Traveling from place to place, gloves k...

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October 11, 2013

1920s Jewelry Styles History

1920s jewelry took a turn to simplicity and Art Deco "modernism" in all styles from rings to necklaces, and bracelets. Out were the fussy Art Nouveau styles. Out were the pressures of society to wear your wealth. Out was expensive precious stones. In were ...

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October 10, 2013

1920s Handbags, Purses, and Shopping Bag Styles

Go to any office, coffee shop, or mall today and you will see women lugging around bags that rival the size of carry-on luggage. A peek inside might reveal a cell phone, car keys, wallet, make up, receipts, energy bars, and a whole host of other gadgets and pa...

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October 8, 2013

1920s Fashion History

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