The 1920s are also known as the “Roaring 20’s” “Flapper Ages”
and “Jazz Age” which is clearly depicted in their fashion and make up!
Seeing the end of the First World War art and creativeness
became alive. This showed itself in the fashion of the era with new and
colourful fabric and materials beginning to surface, as well as women becoming
experimental with makeup that had never been so readily available. The 20’s
also saw the Harlem Renaissance; women had the right to vote and middle class
affluence was very much on the rise.
Fashion
The 1920s seemed to liberate women with the flamboyant and
revealing style of dress that became popular in this era. Hemlines began to get
higher and by 1927 the Flapper style was very much in fashion seeing hemlines
that came above the knee.
Coco Chanel was perhaps one of the most influential women of
the 1920s when her reputation as a fashion designer was made. Chanel defined
her style as being elegant, luxurious and simple. In fashion terms her signature style helped
to emancipate and free the outlook on female fashion.
Hair and makeup
As with fashion the women of the 1920s were free to be
experimental and break the mould of how women were previously perceived. With this
came the development of the bob hair cut. The 1920s bob was cut bluntly and
worn halfway between the cheekbone and the chin. The fringe was either cut
short and straight across or swept to the side. Another hairstyle was The
Shingle. The hair was cut into a V at the nape of the neck revealing the neck
and was accompanied by finger waves or spit curls. Just like the makeup that
you would see in the 20s the hair was never natural, it was always slicked down
and glistening with brilliantine.
Makeup was a key thing for the women of the 1920s. Skin was
always paper white, lips were blood red and the eyes were always very heavily made
up. Powder was an essential; it was usually made from rice powder, and was intended
to make the skin appear white and flawless. Makeup was in its rawest form still
in the 1920s. Mascara was referred to as “spit block” it came in a wax or cake
form that was mixed with water and applied to lashes with a small brush or a
wood stick. The women would completely pluck their eyebrows and use kohl to
draw in thin black lines in their place. Kohl was made up of things such as
lead, soot and goose grease. It was always applied heavily all around the eyes
and appeared stained and smudged for a sexy smouldering look.
A 1920s woman’s lipstick was always a deep blood red,
because this was the only colour available. And, as with everything else they
were dramatic! Over accentuating the cupids bow was a must and the lipstick was
always smudge proof.
Unlike any era previous to the 1920s women were not ashamed of
makeup and definitely felt no need hide it. Most women would be seen applying
their lipstick and powder at the dinner table. Once again showing the 1920s was
truly the era that began to free a woman’s sexuality.
Clara Bow
Louise Brooks
Marion Davies
