1920 Flapper Dresses: How to Dress Like a 1920’s Flapper Girl
The roaring 1920 Flapper Dresses will forever be remembered as the decade of flappers. “Bright Young Things” dressed up in their flapper dress for a night on the town at a dance hall or in an illegal speakeasy. What did flappers wear? Free of the moral and physical constraints of the previous decades, flapper costumes were loose but glamorous. During the day flappers dressed in drop-waist dresses with a small belt or wide sash to accent the hip line instead of the waist. Flat chests further enhanced the boyish flapper outfit. The evening brought out knee-length and longer fringe beading and sequin flapper dresses with rhinestone and feather headbands creating a fun and feminine flapper outfit.
The short fringe flapper dress costume as we know it today is not accurate to the decade. It was a style developed in the late ’50s early ’60s that used the short shift dress of the decade as its base. The first The Great Gatsby movie premiered in 1974, influencing some dazzling disco fashions of the decade.
The flapper style revived again in the 1980s with long fringe dresses and sequin-covered gowns. It is back today, thanks in part to the 2013 The Great Gatsby movie.
How did flappers dress in the 1920s? The flapper revolution started in the early twenties when dresses were still long. The short, slinky, flapper look was in full style by 1925. Flapper dresses were loose fitting slip-overs with short or long sleeves. A belt often accented the low waist (called a drop waist). Long pleats, pintucks, collars, and neckties exaggerated the long and lean fashion. The flapper costume (the term costume meant outfit in the ’20s) was meant for the young and thin, although mature women could also wear the style with ease with the help of some slimming lingerie. Look here for daytime flapper costume.
Flapper evening dresses were designed to show as much skin as was morally acceptable. Exposing cleavage was still taboo, and for that matter even having a sizable chest was not in fashion (tape ’em down, girls). Bare backs were popular along with uneven “hanky” hemlines that exposed thighs while sitting down. Many flapper dresses were covered in beads or beaded fringe. The movement of fringe or tiers of fabric made dresses swish and jingle while Dancing the Charleston. Dresses that made a sound as they moved attracted the attention that a flapper desired.
For your authentic flapper costume, choose a dress made of a light material like chiffon, silk/satin, or crepe. Be sure to wear a matching slip if the dress is sheer. Elaborate beading will make the dress stand out but also expensive, so if budget is a concern, find a plain dress and jazz it up with sparkling accessories. Your dress should be knee-length or longer for authenticity (but can be shorter for a 1920s inspired look). It should fit loose, meaning you may need to buy a size up. It should not hug your curves.
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California Costumes Women’s Plus-Size Fashion Flapper Plus, Black, 3XL (20-22)
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Capuffy Women 20s Vintage Fringed Gatsby Carly Fringe Mini Dress V Neck Sequin Flapper Dress Tassels Party Dress 72250(Black,XS)
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Charades Women’s Fashion Flapper Dress, Black, Medium
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CHERYL CREATIONS Women’s Short All-Over Fringe Flapper Sleeveless Comfortable Day/Night Mini Dress with Adjustable Bra Straps Black
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Classic Adult Flapper Costume Large
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Coucoland 1920s Dress for Women Gatsby – Roaring 20s Costumes Harlem Nights Flapper Great Gatsby Dresses Accessory Set
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ECDAHICC Women’s Flapper Dress Sequins Fringe Strappy Dress Gillter 1920s Gatsby Feather Club Bodycon Mini Dresses (PI,XL)
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ECDAHICC Women’s Dresses Flapper Dresses 20s Gatsby with All-Over Fringe Mini Dresses(17160BL-L)
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ELECLAND 1920s V Neck Sequin Beaded Fringed Dress with 20s Accessories Set (Black, Medium)
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Eohak 1920s Great Gatsby Headband Accessories Set for Women ,Costume Flapper Headpiece Headband(5 Pcs)
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FAIRY COUPLE 1920s Knee Length Flapper Party Dress Layer Tassels Hem Sequined Cap Sleeve Cocktail Dress XL Champagne Gold
Original price was: $89.99.$49.99Current price is: $49.99. Learn More -
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FAIRY COUPLE 1920s Knee Length Flapper Party Dress Layer Tassels Hem Sequined Cap Sleeve Cocktail(M,Black Red)
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FAIRY COUPLE 1920s Knee Length Flapper Party Dress Layer Tassels Hem Sequined Cap Sleeve Cocktail(XL,Black Red)
Original price was: $89.99.$52.99Current price is: $52.99. Learn More -
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s 1920s Beaded Fringed Great Gatsby Sequined Embellished Flapper Dress 3XL Green Black
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s 1920s Great Gatsby Dress Fringed Sequins Party Flapper Dress Cocktail Dress Rose Gold S
Original price was: $48.99.$42.99Current price is: $42.99. Learn More -
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s 1920s Lace Neck Great Gatsby Dress Sequin Art Deco Flapper Dress with Sleeve D20S028 L Black Gold
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s 1920s Lace Neck Great Gatsby Dress Sequin Art Deco Flapper Dress with Sleeve D20S028 L Purple
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s 1920s Lace Neck Great Gatsby Dress Sequin Art Deco Flapper Dress with Sleeve D20S028 XL Green Gold
Original price was: $78.99.$58.99Current price is: $58.99. Learn More -
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s 1920s Plus Size Beaded Fringed Great Gatsby Sequined Embellished Tassels Hem Flapper Dress D20S002 2XL Black Gold
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s 1920s Plus Size Lace Neck Great Gatsby Dress Sequin Art Deco Flapper Dress with Sleeve D20S028 2XL Black Gold
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s 1920s Vintage Gatsby Long Fringe Flapper Dress Cap Sleeve Cocktail Party Dress Black Gold M
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s 1920s Vintage Gatsby Long Fringe Flapper Dress Cap Sleeve Cocktail Party Dress Black Gold S
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s Flapper Dress Sequin Angel Sleeve Maxi Formal Evening Bridesmaids Gown Dress Rose Gold S
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FAIRY COUPLE Women’s Flapper Dresses V Neck Slip Dress Fringed Sequin 1920s Cocktail Dress Costume Beige L
Original price was: $38.99.$25.99Current price is: $25.99. Learn More