Cheeky and stylish 1920s summer fashion
The 1920s were a time of change and revolution – also in terms of fashion. The beaches of this era became venues for a new, more revealing and stylish way of dressing. Beach outfits, which were rather unpractical and bulky in previous decades, evolved into fashion statements. In this blog post we take a look at the typical beach and summer outfits for women from the 1920s.
Stylish 1920s Summer Fashion: A Look at the Fashion Revolution
The 1920s were a time of new beginnings and change, and this is also reflected in fashion. After the deprivations of the First World War, people longed for freedom, luxury and pleasure – and the fashion of this era embodied exactly that. The summer outfits of the 1920s were an expression of this new attitude to life.
1920s women’s fashion: Inspired by the Charleston dancer
Women’s fashion in the 1920s revolutionized the previous understanding of femininity. Women of this era abandoned corsets and floor-length skirts in favor of clothing that offered greater freedom of movement and expressed their modern, independent attitude.
Typical elements of 1920s summer fashion were:
- Flowing Dresses: Summer dresses of the 1920s were straight cut and often ended just below the knee – a radical change from the floor-length dresses of previous decades. These dresses emphasized less on the waist and more on the hips, creating an androgynous look typical of the fashion of the “flapper” generation.
- Lightweight fabrics: Silk, chiffon and cotton were the preferred materials for summer dresses. These fabrics provided lightness and comfort on hot days and allowed women to dress stylishly yet comfortably.
- Fringes and beads: Party dresses in particular were sometimes decorated with fringes, beads or sequins that glittered in the light when they moved.
- Cloche hats: The cloche hat fits tightly to the head, has no or only a small brim and is pulled low over the forehead. The perfect accessory for a 1920s-inspired summer look. These hats not only offer protection from the sun, but also stylishly finish the outfit.
- Parasols: Parasols were particularly popular on the beach. They offer sun protection and also look super stylish.
- Flat shoes: Flappers loved flat shoes, or shoes with just a very low heel, which allowed them to dance all day and night. Mary Jane shoes and T-strap sandals were particularly popular.
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The influence of Hollywood and the Jazz Era on 1920s summer fashion
Hollywood and the emerging jazz culture had a significant influence on fashion in the 1920s. Film stars like Greta Garbo and Louise Brooks set trends that were enthusiastically received by the masses. Jazz music and dance halls such as the famous “Speakeasies” promoted a lively, carefree atmosphere that was also reflected in summer fashion.
The swimwear of the 1920s women
In the 1920s, women’s fashion changed radically – swimwear was no exception. The swimsuit, which until then was still very reserved and often ankle-length, became shorter and more body-hugging. The new woman’s swimsuits usually reached to the thigh and emphasized the figure. A sporty, active woman who presented herself confidently on the beach became a new ideal.
Tip: Are you interested in the exciting history of swimwear? Then be sure to check out this blog post!
Typical features of the women’s swimsuits were:
- One-piece cuts: Swimsuits were usually one-piece and had wide straps.
- Shirt and pants look: Many swimsuits were reminiscent of short shirt and pants sets with an attached belt or waist.
- Patterns and colors: Striped patterns, and colors such as navy blue, red and black were particularly popular.
- Accessories: Women often combined their swimsuits with swimming caps, parasols and sandals. Sun hats completed the look.
Fun Fact: Swimwear in the film industry was not subject to the strict censorship rules of the time. This gave rise to the opportunity to replace underwear with swimwear as often as possible in the scripts. In the resulting water films, as much seductive skin as necessary could be shown in order to attract large numbers of viewers to the cinemas. Which in turn increased the awareness and popularity of swimwear among the general population.
The influence of social change on 1920s fashion
Fashion of the 1920s was strongly influenced by the social changes of that time. The women’s movement and the pursuit of equality led to a relaxation of strict dress codes. Swimwear became shorter and freer, which was a symbol of the new self-determination. At the same time, physical culture became popular and sportiness became an ideal, which was also reflected in beach fashion.
Conclusion: A decade of fashion revolution
Summer fashion from the 1920s is still a source of inspiration today. It represents a time of new beginnings and freedom, in which fashion was not only practical, but also an expression of personality and joie de vivre. The mix of lightness, elegance and a touch of extravagance makes the 1920s a fascinating decade in fashion history. Whether as a retro look for today’s summer festivals or as historical inspiration – the summer outfits of the 1920s are unforgettable.
The beach outfits of this time in particular were groundbreaking for our modern swimwear today. In the 1920s, swimwear not only became more functional, but also more stylish.
My 1920s summer look
On our honeymoon we spent a day in beautiful Crikvenica, a pretty town on the Croatian Adriatic coast. At the end of the 19th century, the first local bathing establishment was opened there, followed by the first guest rooms and restaurants – the beginning of tourism, the most important industry in this area. Since then, numerous holidaymakers have been flocking to the climatic health resort and enjoying the pleasant climate. Large pictures on the beach promenade still bear witness to the stylish bathers of the past. In any case, the pictures inspired me to put together such a stylish 1920s look.
The dress is from Marlenes Töchter and really is a perfect summer dress. Comfortable, versatile and simply stylish. If the 1920s is too special for you, you can also style it in a 1940s look, as the picture above proves.
I’ve had my parasol for a long time and of course it complements the look perfectly in summer.
Outfit Details:
Dress: Marlenes Töchter
Parasol: via Amazon*
Ballet flats: Melissa, similar via Amazon*
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Whre to buy 1920s fashion
You can find some great dresses in the style of the 20s at TopVintage*, among others. FrozenHibiskus via Etsy*, Marlenes Töchter and Vecona Vintage via Etsy* also have a few beautiful models in their range. You can find a really large selection of 1920s clothing in the Gatsbylady Europe* Etsy shop.
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