The Roaring 20s

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