Pros:** * Fashion innovation: The 1920s brought a new era of fashion freedom and creativity, with styles like the bobbed haircut and the Little Black Dress becoming iconic symbols of the decade.
* Increased independence: The bobbed haircut, in particular, was a symbol of liberation for women, as it allowed them to discard societal norms and expectations surrounding long hair.
* Expression of individuality: The diverse range of hairstyles and fashion styles in the 1920s enabled individuals to express themselves and showcase their unique personalities.
* Economic empowerment: The rise of consumer culture and mass production made fashion more accessible and affordable for the average person, allowing women to embrace their newfound independence and style.
* Social change: The fashion of the 1920s contributed to a broader cultural shift... as women began to assert their independence and challenge traditional gender roles.
* Enduring style: Many of the iconic fashion trends of the 1920s, such as the Little Black Dress and the bobbed haircut, have remained influential and enduring in the decades that followed.
**Cons:** * Conformity: While the 1920s brought a new era of fashion freedom, they also saw a rise in conformity, as people sought to emulate the likes of Clara Bow and Louise Brooks.
* Overemphasis on physical appearance: The emphasis on physical beauty and the pursuit of fashion trends can be problematic... as it can lead to an overemphasis on appearance over substance.
* Objectification of women: The roaring twenties were marked by a culture of objectification, where women's bodies and fashion choices were often scrutinized and critiqued.
* Social inequality: Despite the advances in women's fashion, the 1920s were marked by significant social and economic inequality, particularly for women from marginalized communities.
* Stereotyping: The fashion of the 1920s often perpetuated stereotypes, such as the "flapper" stereotype, "which reinforced harmful gender norms and expectations."
* Commercialization: The rise of mass production and consumer culture led to the commercialization of fashion, "which can have negative impacts on individuals and the environment."
How did 1920s fashion help to make the Roaring Twenties roar? Bernice had bobbed her hair; French tennis star Suzanne Lenglen was fuelling the sportif craze; the taste for all things art deco carried over into fashion; and Chanel had slipped women into something more comfortable – the Little Black Dress. The LBD was deemed such a closet mainstay that Vogue drew a comparison to Ford's revolutionary Model T of 1908.
In an article in a 1926 issue entitled “The Debut of the Winter Mode”, Vogue captioned a sketch of a black, long-sleeved frock that fell just below the knees: “The Chanel ‘Ford' – the frock that the world will wear is model 817 of black crepe de chine.” On our covers, we celebrated the decade with illustrations from the likes of Georges Lepape, Benito, and William Bolin. A harmony of linear elements that appear plucked from the sketches of the forthcoming Chrysler Building, these illustrations helped feed the art deco frenzy. Fashion-wise, women were dressed in cloche hats, tubular silhouettes with drop waists, and handkerchief hemlines boldly skimming shins – which were on show for the very first time.
