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INTRODUCTION:
You may have noticed that some things in the world seem to change very quickly. For example, television programs and popular musical groups may not last for more than a year or even a few months. Fashion, also, can change from season to season, particularly among young people who are searching for their own special style. You can probably think of some things you used to wear that are no longer in style. Maybe you have laughed at pictures of yourself or your older relatives wearing outfits from only a few years ago that now look silly and old-fashioned. In this unit, you will learn about a time in United States history when fashions changed in just such a rapid manner. You will read about some of the reasons for those quick changes and the connections between historical events and the way that people dress. This exciting period happened within our own century but long before you were born. It is called The 1920's.
In the time before the 1920's, women did not have as much freedom as they do today. They were not allowed to vote, attend certain schools, or enter certain professions. Most women lived with their parents until they were married. A woman who wanted to live on her own or control her own life might be considered odd or even dangerous. Their clothing also did not allow them much freedom. They wore long, heavy skirts with many layers and tightly-fitted, high-necked, long-sleeved blouses. Their long hair was piled on their heads and held in place with many pins. Underneath, they wore tightly-laced corsets that often prevented them from breathing deeply. A woman might expose her arms or throat in an evening dress, but she would never show her legs. Pants for women did not exist, except for the bloomers they wore under their skirts.
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By the end of the 1920's, women's roles and women's clothes were quite different. Many more women started working outside of the home, and they could vote. Young women were more independent. They went out without chaperones, were more active and athletic, and did not automatically obey their fathers and grow up to be like their mothers. Fashions reflected the changes in their attitudes. They still did not wear pants, but skirts were shorter and clothing in general was looser. Blouses often had short sleeves and wide necklines. This allowed them to move more freely and participate in more activities. Special outfits for swimming, playing tennis, and riding in automobiles were disgned. Perhaps the most dramatic changes were in underwear and hair. The old-fashioned and restrictive corsets, bloomers, and underskirts were replaced by soft chemises and slips. In an act of rebellion, young women cut their hair in above-the-shoulder styles. How fresh and sassy they must have felt!
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