• Sign up for our weekly vintage fashion newsletter
  • search
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Vintage Dancer

  • Ask the Vintage Dancer!
  • Victorian
    • Women
      • Dresses
      • Skirts
      • Blouses
      • Nightgowns
      • Boots & Shoes
      • Hats
      • Sewing Patterns
      • Makeup & Beauty
      • More clothing….
    • Men
      • Suits & Coats
      • Boots & Shoes
      • Hats
      • Pants
      • Shirts
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • Victorian Outfit Guides
      • Easy Victorian Costume Guide
      • Civil War Costume Guide
      • Bustle Dress Costume Guide
      • Men’s Victorian Clothing Guide
    • Victorian Fashion History
    • Steampunk
      • Women
        • Dresses and Costumes
        • Plus Size Clothing
        • Jackets
        • Skirts
        • Boots & Shoes
        • Hats
        • Sewing Patterns
        • More clothing….
      • Men
        • Shirts
        • Vests
        • Pants
        • Jackets
        • Hats
        • Boots and Shoes
        • Goggles, guns
        • More clothing…
      • Steampunk Costume Guides
        • Women’s Steampunk Essentials
        • Men’s Steampunk Essentials
        • More Steampunk Ideas
  • 1910s
    • Women
      • Shoes & Boots
      • Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Evening Gowns
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Blouses
      • Skirts
      • Hats
      • Makeup & Beauty
      • Costumes
      • Sewing Patterns
    • Men
      • Suits and Coats
      • Formal Wear
      • Shirts
      • Pants
      • Hats
      • Shoes
      • Costumes
      • Men’s Sewing Patterns
    • 1900-1910s Outfit Guides
      • DIY 1910-1915 Dresses
      • Tea Dress Guide
      • Mens Formal Suit Guide
      • Men’s 1910s Fashion
    • 1900s-1910s Fashion History
  • 1920s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Daytime Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Shoes
      • Hats
      • Hair / Headbands
      • Costumes
      • Sewing Patterns
      • More clothing…
    • Men
      • Shoes & Boots
      • Hats
      • Shirts
      • Pants
      • Suits
      • Vests
      • Men’s Patterns
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • 1920s Outfit Guides
      • Flapper Costume Guide
      • Women’s Outfit Ideas
      • Casual Women’s Outfits
      • Men’s Outfit Ideas
    • 1920s Fashion History
  • 1930s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Tops
      • Skirts
      • Pants
      • Shoes
      • Sewing Patterns
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • Men
      • Suits
      • Shirts
      • Pants
      • Shoes
      • Hats
      • Men’s Patterns
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • 1930s Oufit Ideas
      • 1930s Women’s Fashion
      • 1930s Outfit Ideas
      • Men’s Fashion Guide
      • Men’s Outfit Ideas
      • 1930s Men’s Workwear
    • 1930s Fashion History
  • 1940s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Tops
      • Pants
      • Skirts
      • Shoes
      • Sewing Patterns
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • Men
      • Costumes
      • Suits
      • Pants
      • Shirts
      • Shoes
      • Hats
      • Men’s Patterns
      • More clothing…
    • 1940s Outfit Ideas
      • Women’s 1940s Fashion
      • Women’s Outfit Ideas
      • 1940s Fall Winter Outfits
      • Men’s 1940s Fashion
      • Men’s Outfit Ideas
    • 1940s Fashion History
  • 1950s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • House/Day Dresses
        • Cocktail Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Skirts
      • Pants
      • Tops
      • Shoes
      • Makeup Guide
      • Costumes
      • Sewing Patterns
      • More clothing…
    • Men
      • Suits, Coats
      • Pants, Jeans
      • Shirts
      • Jackets
      • Shoes
      • Hats
      • Men’s Patterns
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • 1950s Outfit Ideas
      • Women’s 1950s Fashion
      • Women’s Outfit Ideas
      • Men’s Fashion: Suits
      • Men’s Fashion: Casual
    • 1950s Fashion History
  • 1960s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Pants
      • Skirts
      • Tops
      • Jackets
      • Shoes
      • Makeup & Beauty
      • Costumes
      • Sewing Patterns
    • Men
      • Suits
      • Pants
      • Shirts
      • Jackets, Sweaters
      • Hats
      • Shoes
      • Costumes
    • 1960s Fashion Guides / History
      • 1960s Women’s Fashion
      • 1960s Outfit Ideas (Women)
      • 1960s Mens Outfits
      • 1960s Men’s Fashion, 60s Fashion for Men
  • 1970s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Plus Size Dresses
        • Evening Dresses
        • Wedding Dresses
      • Shirts
      • Pants, Jeans
      • Jumpsuits
      • Workout Clothes
      • Shorts
      • Skirts
      • Jackets
      • Shoes
      • Costumes
      • More clothing…
    • Men
      • Suits
      • Pants, Jeans
      • Shirts
      • Jackets & Sweaters
      • Shoes, Boots
      • Costumes
    • 1970s Outfit Ideas
      • Disco Fashion (Women & Men)
      • Women’s Fashion
      • Women’s Outfit Ideas
      • 1970s Fashion History
  • 1980s
    • Women
      • Dresses
        • Prom Dresses
      • Jeans/Leggings
      • Tops
      • Jackets
      • Sweatshirts, Sweaters
      • Workout Clothes
      • Shoes
      • Hats
      • Costumes
    • Men’s Clothing
  • Fashion History
    • Men’s Fashion
    • Victorian Fashion
    • 19100-1910s Fashion
    • 1920s Fashion
    • 1930s Fashion
    • 1940s Fashion
    • 1950s Fashion
    • 1960s Fashion
    • 1970s Fashion
    • Vintage Inspired Fashion
Vintage Dancer | Vintage Retro | 1920s Casual Outfits with Pants for Women

1920s Casual Outfits with Pants for Women

Vintage Inspired

6 Dec 2017

The 1920s and 1930s are mostly associated with flapper dresses and Hollywood glamour. During the daytime, dresses were still the primary outfits, but that doesn’t mean they were the only thing women wore. I had a few readers ask what kinds of casual ’20s clothing or ’30s menswear-inspired looks they could wear that involved pants, not dresses. Using thrifted and purchased clothes, I put together some 1920s casual outfits with the help of my sister as my model that embrace the rebellious anti -flapper or masculine women’s looks of the ’20s and ’30s.

1920s Outfits – Tweed for Fall

The first 1920s outfit was inspired by my research of women wearing pants. Some young women decided to adopt menswear as their clothing style as a statement against the flapper movement. Sometimes called “New Women,” they dressed casually in men’s knickers or wide leg pants, collared blouses, long neckties, 8 panel caps, and men’s jackets.  Plaid or tweed pants and jackets were especially common in fall or winter, while solid color cotton knickers with tall socks were worn in summer.  A pair of low heel Oxfords were neither feminine or masculine, and they completed the outfit.

1920s women wearing pants trosuers
1920s Paris Woman in plaid pants, wool blazer, cap
1923 French woman in pants men's shirt, cap
1923 French woman in pants men’s shirt, cap

For my DIY 1920s outfit, I found a pair of wide leg plaid brown pants (90s vintage), rust colored Peter Pan collar blouse with black tie (Forever 21), tweed check coat from Pendleton (a repro from their original 1910s line), plaid vest, and tweed flat cap. Whenever I source menswear clothing for women, I try to find them in women’s clothing, but sometimes it is easier to buy them in men’s. Vests, for example, are not “in style” for women, but men’s ’20s vests work just fine.

1920s fall style with tweed pants, jacket and cap- menswear inspired
1920s fall style with tweed pants, jacket and cap- menswear inspired
Peaky blinders female gangster girl outfit or costume at VintageDancer.com
Tweed suit gangster girl

1920s outfit : tweed, plaid for fall winter women
I love the belt back of this jacket
Easy 1920s costume: Button down large collar sweater, wide leg pants and newsboy cap.
A new (thrifted) sweater with large collar was the perfect top for this winter 20s casual style.

Casual 1920s Outfit

I was very excited to find a 1910s-1920s style cardigan sweater at the thrift store. The chunky knit deep burgundy red cardigan with an oversized collar and big buttons jumped in my cart. Paired with the same wide leg pants and flat cap above, it easily makes a 1920s casual outfit perfect for fall and winter’s cool days. I could wear the sweater with a long wool skirt, too, and have a second early ’20s outfit. For spring, wearing the sweater unbuttoned with a belt around the waist and over a flowing pleated skirt takes the look to a sporty relaxed style.

Easy 1920s costume: Button down large collar sweater, wide leg pants and newsboy cap.

A new (thrifted) sweater with large collar was the perfect top for this winter 20s casual style.

1921 winter knit cardigan sweaters

1921 winter knit cardigan sweaters

Here is another outfit I made using a 1920s style cardigan sweater over a blouse and pleated skirt.  It is one I wear often (although usually with jeans, not skirts). Striped varsity sweaters are in fashion now, so this look is easy to attain. Paired with a cloche hat and two tone Oxfords (saddle shoes would work too), the look is both vintage and modern casual.

1920s casual outfit: My 1920s inspired casual sporty look: cardigan sweater over a loose blouse and pleated skirt with two tone oxford shoes.

My 1920s inspired casual sporty look: cardigan sweater over a loose blouse and pleated skirt with two tone oxford shoes.

Casual 1920s day outfit combining a pleated skirt, blouse, long knit vest, thin belt, and a knit beret hat. Add a pair of walking oxfords for an easy fashion.

Casual 1920s day outfit combining a pleated skirt, blouse, long knit vest, thin belt, and a knit beret hat. Add a pair of walking oxfords for an easy fashion.

1930s Pantsuit Outfit- Marlene Dietrich

A reader wanted help finding a 1930s style Marlene Dietrich suit. That is no easy feat, but I was up for the challenge. Marlene usually bought men’s suits and had them tailored to her body. Most women at the time who adopted menswear clothing did this as well. Women’s menswear was not a big enough fad for mainstream clothiers to produce them for the masses.

For accuracy, purchasing a 1930s reproduction suit, sewing a suit, or buying a vintage men’s suit and tailoring them is the best option. For the rest of us on a budget, you can adapt a thrifted women’s suit to the look easily — that is, IF you can find a suit to begin with. I found this grey check suit, but it was the only option that didn’t look totally out of place/ the wrong decade in the several stores I shopped. I searched online, too, but most modern suits have skinny pants (not wide leg) and plain blazers that resemble ’60s fashions, not 1930s. Finding a menswear 1930s outfit was a lot harder than I expected.

1930s Marlene Dietrich in a pant suit

Marlene Dietrich in a pant suit

Removing the jacket and wearing the pants with a white button-down collared shirt, dark necktie, and vest creates the same masculine ’30s outfit but without the difficulty of finding a matching suit set. Wearing a fedora hat instead of cloche transforms it into a gangster moll costume (wives of gangsters / female gangsters).

1930s menswear or gangster mol look. 1930s outfits at VintageDancer
1930s menswear or gangster mol look
1930s menswear suit outfit inspired by Marlene Dietrich
1930s menswear suit outfit

These 1920s and 1930s outfits should give you some ideas for menswear-inspired women’s looks. Look at these 1920s non-flapper outfit ideas for even more looks.

Do you have a look you need help with? Ask me anytime!

debbie
We are Debbie and Oscar, your guides to dressing up like decades past. We are here to help you find clothing online and learn about vintage fashions as worn by everyday people, just like you. Need help with your outfit? Ask us anytime.
« 1960s Evening Dresses, Bridesmaids, Mothers Gowns
1960s Wedding History: Brides, Bridesmaids, Mothers »
  • Home
  • About The Vintage Dancer
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure

Disclosure:

This website is supported by advertising in the form of product links, banners, and sponsored articles. We may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking a link.  As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Read: Privacy Policy, Disclosure, Terms and Conditions

About Us

  • About VintageDancer.com
  • Newsletter eMail Sign Up
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure

Follow Us

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Google +
  • Twitter
  • Tumbler
  • Blog Lovin
  • RSS Reader

How to Buy:

Click on the picture or title of the product and you will be redirected to the online merchant selling that item. Questions about sizing and shipping are answered on the merchants website.

VintageDancer.com links to clothing for sale online to make finding vintage inspired clothing easier.

Our Story

Dressing in vintage style clothing for a themed event or personal fashion is our passion. We turned a hobby into this website to make it easy to find vintage inspired clothing for women and men online spanning 1900-1960s. Our fashion history blog helps you create the look from decades past using vintage, vintage inspired and thrifty clothing, Need help? Ask us anytime.

Copyright © 2021 ·