20s Dress: Roaring Twenties fashion is making a comeback!

Pompous jewelry, dandy suits with colorful vests, fringed dresses... who wouldn't succumb to the glitter and glamor of 1920s fashion?

This is certainly one of the most creative and influential periods in modern fashion history! Want to go back and rediscover the trends of the Roaring Twenties? Nothing beats a magnificent Charleston dress , with feminine, extravagant, glamorous and sensual cuts to bring a little pep to your vintage look.

If you like the idea, read on!

Fashion of the 1920s: a reflection of history

A pivotal period in fashion, the 1920s were marked by difficult war years. Not to mention the devastating consequences of the flu pandemic in 1918 which brought the world to its knees. And guess what? A new surge of freedom, combined with disillusionment, leads to the creation of a whole new culture. It is a lively society, with a unique appearance as well as an original clothing style.

After the First World War, trends changed enormously. They have moved like tectonic plates across the fashion world! Haute couture, which until then was made for the rich and aristocrats, is becoming more democratic. It then becomes much more accessible. Middle-class women and men could have fun in style. Some very luxurious fabrics have become affordable. And everyone could create trendy clothes from home.

Stylists, for their part, used their creativity to offer new, ever more daring styles. Women who lived in rural areas gave themselves the right to wear the same clothes as their mothers. Of course, like any clothing era, some people played the game and dared to wear new things. While others, more conservative, did not want to follow the movement.

So Charleston: what exactly is it?

Who says 1920s fashion, necessarily says Charleston, Gatsby, flappers, flapper look... You've probably already heard of it, but don't really know what it is? Don't worry, we'll briefly explain their meaning to you!

Inspired by traditional African dances, Charleston refers above all to a dance. She was born among black slaves in South Carolina. This emblematic dance then became popular in the United States in the 1910s, with the birth and subsequent craze for Jazz. Very quickly, a whole section of American youth, fans of jazz and eager for freedom, adopted the Charleston. This dance, however, caused a scandal, because its very energetic movements (grimaces, arm movements, leg contortions) were perceived as immoral. Without forgetting that racism was still very present.

The Charleston arrived in France in 1925 with the “Revue Nègre”, coming from the United States. Dance has enjoyed enormous success there, notably thanks to Joséphine Baker, a star dancer, who popularized it. The ancestor of all swing dances, the Charleston remains today the reference dance of the 1920s.

Much more than a dance... it's an attitude

But the Charleston is much more than just a fashionable dance. It accompanies an unprecedented movement: the recognition of African-American culture. In the United States, slavery was certainly abolished in 1865. But it would take several years for blacks to obtain their rights. And now new music from the minority of African origin appears. The icing on the cake is that it becomes the pinnacle of sophistication and modernity!

Young people fond of jazz and freedom frequented the clubs, even more so after the tragedy of the First World War. Women wanted to stand out from previous generations. The corset has practically disappeared. Dresses become shorter and reveal arms and legs. Short hair is a scandal! We drink alcohol, we smoke in public… American “flappers”, just like French “flappers”, enjoy life to the fullest. It's the time of carefreeness, an enchanted parenthesis that has left a lasting mark on the world of fashion.

Around 100 years later, 1920s fashion remains unique and easily recognizable. But if it was so successful, it is partly because this fashion helped women feel more free!

The Roaring Twenties: new standards of beauty!

The Roaring Twenties brought a new way of life to women. But that's not all ! This trend also highlights the new standards of beauty. The 1900 woman was curvy. She had generous shapes exaggerated by the corset. The 20s, on the other hand, were those of the “flapper” with short hair, with a sporty and androgynous body.

Sea bathing was very fashionable. We swam in one-piece swimsuits. We tanned, we wore more and more pants, we played tennis. The ideal woman hardly has any shapes; nor a marked size. She had little chest; in fact, many bandaged their breasts to appear more androgynous!

The 20s Dress: a must-have for the Roaring Twenties

In these years of freedom, carelessness and madness, the Charleston style established itself as a must-have in every wardrobe!

Also called the Gatsby or Flappers dress, it consists of a long, slightly blousy bodice. It is assembled with a vague skirt, either trimmed with keels, pleated, or cut on the bias. What we notice right away with this new fashion is the silhouette. While the latter is often accentuated by most fashions, the Charleston dress is surprisingly straight and flat. This slender shape is an element that distinguishes the style of the 1920s. Women, now freed from the shackles of the corset, wish to adopt this androgynous silhouette. They wear dresses with a very low waist. Watchword ? Wear practical and comfortable clothing.

This typical dress from the 1920s is generally made of muslin or other light fabric, to avoid hindering movements. With flowing cuts and materials, Charleston dresses, whether long or short, are adorned with lace, sequins, feathers, fringes, geometric shapes, pearls... One thing is certain, elegance has found its place in the Roaring Twenties, especially during social evenings where women danced to the Charleston!

The particularities of the Charleston Dress

Here are ten interesting facts about 1920s dresses:

1. Tubular Silhouette: Dresses of the 1920s adopted a tubular or "straight" silhouette, moving away from the fitted, corseted shapes of previous decades. This form was synonymous with freedom and modernity.

2. Raised Hems: The hemlines of dresses rose considerably by the standards of the time, often to the knee, reflecting a more liberal and daring society.

3. The Influence of Jazz: The Jazz Age greatly influenced fashion, with the introduction of shiny, fringed and sequined dresses, perfect for dancing in jazz clubs.

4. Luxurious Fabrics: The use of silks, velvets and embroidered fabrics was common, reflecting the opulence of the time.

5. “Flapper” Dresses: “Flappers” were rebellious young women who adopted shorter, freer dresses, often decorated with fringe, feathers and beads.

6. Kissed Necklines: Necklines became more daring, with deep V designs, both on the front and back of dresses.

7. Art Deco Influence: The geometric patterns and clean lines of Art Deco were often found in dress designs, reflecting the artistic trends of the time.

8. Accessorizing: Accessories played a big role, with embellished headbands, beaded necklaces, and feather boas completing the look.

9. Matching Shoes: Low heels and dancing shoes often matched dresses, completing the ensemble.

10. Cultural Influence: These dresses represented a major cultural shift, symbolizing the emancipation of women and a break from traditional conventions.

These elements show how revolutionary 1920s fashion was and how it influenced the trends that followed.

Wear a 1920s dress: yes, but where?

Did this little story also make you twist? And did it make you want to relive those years of madness and carelessness? Nothing stops you from going back there by putting on a Charleston dress, both glamorous and timeless. But where can you wear it?

The Gatsby dress has the advantage of being worn for a special occasion. But it will also enhance you during many other events, such as:

• The marriages
• Family ceremonies
• The end of year celebrations
• Evenings with friends
• Etc.

Gone are the traditional cocktail dresses. Make yourself comfortable with an evening dress, giving off a little touch of madness in your image! Both comfortable and light, this Charleston dress is very easy to accessorize. Adorned with a few feathers here and there, this fringed outfit will satisfy the most demanding in terms of refinement and elegance. Prepare yourself, by the way, because it will attract attention to you, without overshadowing the guests!

Gatsby dress: a chameleon with many faces

What makes this style even more irresistible is that it is a chameleon with many faces! You will quickly be captivated by the wide variety of colors and styles. With these festive and sparkling models, we can indulge in all our fantasies. Embroidery, sequins, metallic effect patterns, lace… anything goes!

In any case, Charleston fashion aims to be as glamorous as the dresses designed by great designers. Depending on the event, you can choose classic, sober, eccentric or a little bling-bling. You can opt for dresses:

• Short or long,
• Silver, black, gold,
• Fringed, beaded, sequined
• Nude, pastel, neckline

But since you are spoiled for choice, we give you some recommendations to get your hands on the perfect Gatsby dress.

In order to exude a typically Charleston style, your dress must have thin straps and fringes. You can adorn it with layers of fabric, with a loose nightie style! Be careful, the dress should not be too marked at the waist. As for colors, opt for powdery shades, notably combining black and gold. The ideal would be to opt for a short evening dress, instead of a long model.

How to wear a 20s dress?

That's it, you have your Charleston dress that lights up your wardrobe and it's just waiting to be worn! Only, you don't really know the shoes, the accessories, the jewelry that goes with it. No worries, to help you bring out that vintage and glamorous look that you want so much, here is a little guide.

• The shoes

To accessorize your Charleston dress, the choice of shoes should not be neglected. Ankle boots, sandals, pumps… opt for those with a devilishly vintage look. If you have a dress decorated with lace and rhinestones, don't hesitate to wear pretty satin pumps. More sober dresses, for their part, appear less pretentious. Natural leather pumps will do the trick.

For a perfect Charleston look, you can put on sandal strap shoes. However, if you are not a big fan of heels, small square heels or baby shoes with buckles will save the day!

• Headwear

It's difficult to ignore the hair accessory when you want to return to the look of the 20s! The Charleston style is particularly fond of headgear. You can notably opt for headbands with a pretty feather. For a successful look, place it low on the forehead. If you don't really like headbands, opt for a very shiny piece of hair jewelry!

• Jewelry

Good news for jewelry lovers, the Charleston dress can be accessorized with all types of jewelry. Just make sure that they are worthy of enhancing the royal look of your dress! Earrings, pendants embellished with precious stones, pearl necklaces, stock up.

Select accessories based on the style and cut of your dress. To enhance the slender silhouette, why not combine a pearl necklace with your dress? The black dress, on the other hand, requires a more complex ornament. This can be embroidery completed with bling jewelry. But an XXL collar can also be adapted!

To give you a breathtaking look, a choker model with translucent rhinestones will undoubtedly be essential! This jewel will be perfect to highlight the boyish cut or the gradient square. But you guessed it, the secret is to find sparkling jewelry, associated with the color of the rhinestones that decorate the dress. They will incredibly bring out your natural beauty.

What about the earrings, they must be golden, long, geometric. If they have small black or white feathers, the result will be even better! Finally, to top it all off, enhance your finger with gold or silver rings. If you are one of those who love fancy bracelets, don't deprive yourself of them! However, these must be very thin.

• The bag

It's a fact, the bag can have a big impact on your entire look. It would be a shame to ruin this vintage dress with an inappropriate bag! But don't panic, we help you choose the one that will go like a glove with the dress.

To enhance the Charleston outfit, choose a clutch as a bag. Have you chosen a powder dress? Your cover should be in neutral tones. For example, a nude pink or beige bag can enhance your look in an unexpected way! Did you opt for a black dress instead? We can combine it with a pretty gold or dark green clutch. Of course, this one must be matched with sequins and pearls.

• Extras

Do you want to push the 20s atmosphere to its maximum? You would probably like to sport a feather boa. It will be used to delicately dress your shoulders. Don't forget to add a cigarette holder for a little touch of madness.

In order to bring even more refinement and a retro look to your Charleston dress, there is one thing not to forget: gloves. Expect to set the dance floor on fire and become the star of the event!

• The hairstyle

We don't forget the hairstyle, because it will have an essential role in your Charleston look. On the hair side, women's hairstyles from the 1920s are marked by 4 major trends:

• Short cuts
• The notches
• Cloche hats
• Jewelry headbands

As we explained, short hair causes scandal. And the boyish cut is on the rise! Smooth bob, short bob, fuzzy and romantic buns, soft waves and loose hair, hair flat on the head... These are all hairstyles that you can proudly display on all occasions.

Of course, you don't have to cut your hair. No need to dye them blonde or brunette unless you really want to! You just need to find a pretty Roaring Twenties wig; and voila. For the “so much” touch, highlight your makeup with a lipstick. The latter will enhance your luscious lips as well as the famous doe eyes.

Tear it all up at a party with your 20s dress: my little tips

To wear your Charleston dress proudly and without complexes, do not hesitate to adapt it to your tastes and your measurements. Is she yawning a little at your chest? No need to feel guilty. The body shape of French women has evolved so much over the last few decades. If you are not very keen on DIY, do not hesitate to call a seamstress. She can take your dress to adapt it to your body shape down to the millimeter! Likewise, if you like everything about your dress, except for a small detail, like frills at the end of the sleeves, a Peter Pan collar... it's also worth having it altered. Grab some needles, scissors, and say “bye-bye” to that little detail that made you uncomfortable.

The second rule, when you want to wear a dress as vintage as it is glamorous like Charleston, have fun, but above all assume responsibility. That's the basics. If you have decided to wear a dress that no one else will have at this evening, you will have to accept the looks of the envious people, but also... the compliments that flow!

I hope I managed to share a little piece of my love for Charleston dresses with you with this article.

I have one last gift for you. Go hunt for your Charleston dress in the store and take advantage of -15% off all 1920s Dresses by inserting the code LOUISECHARLESTON when you check out. Hurry, this code is only valid for the next 100 orders.