Fashion in the 1920's

Fashion in the 1920’s
By Anna Grace Waller

The 1920’s were a time of bright colors, youthful exuberance, and nationwide effervescence. Excitement was personified by the flappers, and the bold fashion trends of this uplifting time. Hemlines rose in the 1920's because of the confidence women felt after WWI had ended; styles were also influenced by the surrealist movement and the changing role of women.
As women began to feel more liberated, the confidence they felt led to the dramatic rise of hemlines even though a more boyish silhouette also became more desirable. Before WWI women generally didn’t work outside of the home where they performed mundane, everyday, domestic responsibilities (Schiro, 2). During the war, there was a huge need to fill jobs that had been abandoned by men that joined the army, so women joined the workforce and began working in factories doing more dangerous and strenuous industrial jobs.
The huge Surrealist movement influenced renowned designers like Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel, who created fashions that had never been seen before. Elsa Schiaparelli was famous for many things, one of which being her iconic sportswear revelations like the matching women's three piece suits. She also co-designed some of her most famous clothing items with Salvador Dali-a very popular artist, whose work showed some of the highlights of the surrealist movement and reflected in their collaborations such as her lobster dress, and a hat which was modeled to look like an upside down stiletto.

After WWII was over, the styles in Paris had changed immensely. There was no longer a demand for flamboyant, 'loud' clothing, and bright colors; instead the fashions turned to more minimalistic, and modest styles.
Into the 30's women started working in more industrial jobs and not staying home as   much so this required different attire   and the figure of a woman became more shapely.
The 1920's were a time of new innovations in fashion and technology which...