There’s nothing like the winter coats of the Jazz Age. Their curved shapes and large fur collars created a cocoon of warmth and style that has yet to be duplicated. Unlike the clothes underneath, coats and jackets of the 1920s tended to be quite simple. Even lighter weight spring and sport jackets were minimal in … Read More about 1920s Coats, Furs, Jackets and Capes History
An Organized Costume Closet / Vintage Clothing Room
Happy Labor Day to my USA readers! Today, I am giving you sneak peak into my costume room. My husband and I were so excited to move into a bigger house with a room we could dedicated just to housing all of our costumes and vintage clothing that it was the first room we set … Read More about An Organized Costume Closet / Vintage Clothing Room
1920s Men’s Pants History: Oxford Bags, Plus Four Knickers, Overalls
Outside of three piece suits, men were enjoying the new trend for trouser separates in the 1920s. At first, the golfing knickers came off the course and onto upper class British gentlemen who wore them in summer for various non-sporting events and resort wear. Knickers gave way to their cousin, ‘plus fours’ – something between … Read More about 1920s Men’s Pants History: Oxford Bags, Plus Four Knickers, Overalls
Did Women Wear Pants in the 1920s? Yes! sort of…
The fact that the debate over women and pants was still happening in the 1960s tells you that in the 1920s, women wearing pants was likely to raise eyebrows. Even Katherine Hepburn and her newsworthy trousers in the 1930s could not shake the public perception of women strutting around town in what was widely considered … Read More about Did Women Wear Pants in the 1920s? Yes! sort of…
Vintage Shirtwaist Dress History 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
The vintage shirtwaist dress has a long history in women’s fashion. Over the past 110 years, it gradually became the every-day house dress of women homemakers, casual dressers, and at times high fashion. The shirtwaist dress is defined as a dress that buttoned up the front from the neck to waist or the neck to … Read More about Vintage Shirtwaist Dress History 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
Ladies’ 1920s Sweaters and Cardigans History
What’s not to love about the comfortable and casual sweater ? 1920s winter sweaters /jumpers and cardigans for women were copied from menswear, and some of the styles looked identical throughout the 1920s. Women’s 20s sweaters were a part of the sporty boyish look sweeping through fashion in the roaring twenties. The sweater-coat was the … Read More about Ladies’ 1920s Sweaters and Cardigans History
1920s Men’s Sweaters, Cardigans, Knitwear
Yet again, it was due to the popularity of the Prince of Wales and his fashion on the golf course, as well as the overwhelming desire for casualness in menswear, that the 1920s men’s sweater (1920s men’s jumper) replaced the sporting coat and blazer of the early 1900s. Softer, warmer (or cooler depending on the … Read More about 1920s Men’s Sweaters, Cardigans, Knitwear
History of 1920s Men’s Ties, Neckties, Bowties
The 1920s was the decade of the men’s necktie as we know it today. For several decades, the preferred neckwear was the bow tie, preceded by the cravat and ascot for more formality. The bow tie was still worn in the 1920s in loud vibrant colors, just like the necktie. They were especially enjoyed in … Read More about History of 1920s Men’s Ties, Neckties, Bowties
1920s Men’s Shirts and Collars History
The 1920s war on women’s fashion was over the length of dresses, and for the men it was on the softness of shirts. Well, not shirts by themselves, but instead the collars on shirts. For the past few decades, dress shirts and collars were starched stiff so that no wrinkle would ever make a man … Read More about 1920s Men’s Shirts and Collars History
How to be a 1920s House Wife
I love all eras of fashion and history. Each has their own unique set of values, style and interests that makes revisiting them a fun hobby for me and my little family. Recently I took my current interest in the 1920s and spent an entire weekend reliving life as a housewife in the 1920’s. Here is … Read More about How to be a 1920s House Wife
1920s Skirt History, Women’s 20s Separates
Just like 1920s blouses, skirts during the twenties went from the vogue thing to wear in the early years to out of fashion by mid-decade. Women wore 1920s skirt and blouse separates around the house and while visiting friends, traveling, playing sports, and running into town in casual, comfortable attire. In most cases, they were … Read More about 1920s Skirt History, Women’s 20s Separates
1920s Blouses & Shirts History
Not every occasion in the 1920s required women to wear dresses. Separates (a skirt and blouse) had been popular for a few decades before the ’20s. Blouses, then called “waists” or “over-blouses,” were a comfortable and fashionable option for casual daywear. They were also an economical one, as a blouse could be mixed and matched … Read More about 1920s Blouses & Shirts History
Make a 1920s Dress Costume for $25 or Less
Last week I took a vacation back home to the San Francisco Bay area, where Oscar and I participated in the Santa Clara Vintage Dance Weekend. We took a handful of classes in Vintage Waltz, Lindy, and Charleston, as well as attended a few themed dances. Naturally, I went with a 1920s look for both … Read More about Make a 1920s Dress Costume for $25 or Less
What Did Women Wear in the 1940s? 40s Fashion Trends
What Did Women Wear in the 1940s? In a nutshell, women’s 1940s fashion was about creating an hourglass silhouette with masculine details: padded shoulders, nipped-in high waist tops, and A-line skirts that came down to the knee. This was the everyday shape for clothing, from suits to dresses. Even pants had a similar high waisted, … Read More about What Did Women Wear in the 1940s? 40s Fashion Trends
What Did 1920s Men’s Clothing Cost?
What did 1920s men’s clothing cost? The cost of men’s 1920s clothing was higher than the average woman’s wardrobe, but was also made of sturdier materials and lasted longer. A suit worn once or twice a week would last 3 years with good care. Also, men were more likely to have shoes repaired and hats … Read More about What Did 1920s Men’s Clothing Cost?
1920s Men’s Evening Wear History: Tuxedos to Tailcoats
“Nothing Demands more impeccable taste than Dress Clothes.”- Brooks Brothers An evening out to the opera, getting married, dancing at a formal ball, or attending a lavish dinner party meant it was time for men to dress in their finest evening attire. Entertainers and waiters also wore fine tuxedos as their uniform. 1920s men’s … Read More about 1920s Men’s Evening Wear History: Tuxedos to Tailcoats
1920s Men’s Suits History
If you want to know what men really thought of fashion in the roaring twenties, all you have to do is look at the history of men’s 1920s suits. It is the one item of clothing every man wore on a daily basis. The rich had closets full of suits of every style, color, and material, … Read More about 1920s Men’s Suits History
1920s Prince of Wales Fashion Icon for Men
“The average young man in America is more interested in the clothes of the Prince of Wales than in the clothes of any individual on earth.” – Men’s Wear If American women looked to Paris for their fashions, men looked to Britain and none other than the Prince of Wales. He came to the USA … Read More about 1920s Prince of Wales Fashion Icon for Men
How to Get Your Man to Dress Vintage and Dance
So, you want to get your boyfriend/husband to dress up and attend a vintage dance event but don’t know how. Here is Oscar’s guide to getting him to do that. Men, this post is for the ladies. I wrote a post just for you here. This is the kind of thing you need to hear … Read More about How to Get Your Man to Dress Vintage and Dance
Vintage 1920s Dresses – Where to Buy
Now that we have delved into the fabulous world of 1920s dress history, it is time we let the real fun begin and buy (or make) our very own 1920s dress. There are tons of special events, themed parties, dances, history tours, Art Deco societies, theatrical performances and “just because” events to dress up for. … Read More about Vintage 1920s Dresses – Where to Buy