The flapper
The Flapper was a word used to describe the ‘new women’ of the 1920s. These women lived in urban, northern areas and were young single and part of the middle class. (Routledge, Chris) Although they lived a carefree lifestyle, most flappers held steady jobs and eventually believed they would settle down. Following the 19th amendment and world war 1, women had more power than ever before. ("The 1920s Lifestyles and Social Trends: Topics in the News.") Because of this, they began to revolutionize, changing from their old victorian ways to a new style to better fit the times. (Routledge, Chris) A big part of the flapper culture was clothing. Flappers dressed much more scandalously than their parents and grandparents. They wore boyish dress that fell around their knees, cloche hats and high heels. They also cut their hat into the ‘bob’ style. Adittionaly, Flappers wore a lot of makeup. ("Flappers.") This lead to a major boom in the cosmetics industry. The rise of magazines and publications made the flapper persona even more popular. Vogue and Vanity fair filled their pages and spreads with gorgeous photographs and styles. Fashion had become accessible and easier than ever for the American woman. (Routledge, Chris) But, being a flapper was not only about looks. Flappers also frequented speakeasies and jazz clubs. They also began to smoke, a habit previously only popular amongst men. ("Flappers.") They drank and had a carefree, independent attitude. On the silver screen, famous flapper Clara Bow played the ‘IT girl’ while women flocked t oboutiques, rushing to outfit themselves in new dancing dresses created by coco chanel. ("The 1920s Lifestyles and Social Trends: Topics in the News." )
biography about coco chanel, the world famous designer that played an enormous role in the evolution of the flapper.
Women's changing role
The 20s was a groundbreaking decade for women in society. Following the 19th amendment and world war 1, females finally began to take on political power and enter the workforce. Women began to dominate industries such as retail and worked many other professions such as telephone operator and secretary. Additionally, women began to play a bigger role in government, they worked in government offices and in 1925, Nellie Tayloe Ross became america’s first female governor. However, women’s lives weren’t only revolutionized in the workplace. Housewives began to utilize new technologies such as the dishwasher and vacuum cleaner, greatly reducing their workload. Women were getting married later, having less children and living longer lives. They enacted a revolution of manners and mortality, following the symbolic flapper- a women that lived a carefree rebellious life. Women wanted more control over their lives. Fortunately, the national american woman's suffrage association (NAWSA) and the National Woman's Party (NWP) continued to fight for more rights. NAWSA encouraged reforms, wanted more women in government offices and helped to protect women in the workplace. The NWP fought for equal rights. Women also began to break out the as famous athletes. Helen Wils won eight Wimbledons and several international tennis competitions while Gertrude Ederle held olympic championships, world records, and was the first women to swim across the english channel. Women of the time challenged the rules and showed that they were capable of anything. However, rural women simply did not have access to things that urban women did, or oftentimes the power to change their situation. This resulted in the gap between the two sides of america deepening. Regardless, the 1920s were a huge step for women on the road to where we are today.
Lapsansky-Werner, Emma J. "Chapter 7." United States History: Modern America. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2009. N. pag. Print.
Lapsansky-Werner, Emma J. "Chapter 7." United States History: Modern America. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2009. N. pag. Print.
Nellie Tayloe ross, first female governor and later, director of the US mint. (©BETTMANN/CORBIS.)
Primary resource
THE PHOTOS ABOVE ARE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR WOMEN'S/FLAPPER CLOTHING THAT WERE FEATURED IN A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE DURING THE 1920S. THE PHOTOS APPEARED IN THE CHICAGO EAGLE ON JANUARY 25, 1919. THE ARTICLE LISTED NEW FLAPPER STYLES FOR THE SPRING SEASON. IT ALSO DISCUSSED WHAT FLAPPERS THOUGHT ABOUT DRESS, THEY WANTED TO FOCUS ON FASHIONABLE CLOTHING FOR THEMSELVES- ONES THAT WERE PRACTICAL YET STYLISH. THE ARTICLE AND ADVERTISEMENTS ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. BEFORE THIS ERA- WOMEN'S FASHION- ESPECIALLY CLOTHING SO SCANDELOUS- WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ADVERTISED IN A NEWSPAPER, LET ALONE HAVE AN ENTIRE ARTICLE WRITTEN ABOUT IT. HOWEVER, times were changing and so were womens roles in society. Women were making their own money and therefore had money to spend- so advertisers began to save space for women’s fashion. Also, women began to formulate their own style- focused on their needs and wants rather than society’s expectations.
Chicago eagle. (Chicago, Ill.), 25 Jan. 1919. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
Background Photo: Women trying the popluar Charelston dance, while dressed in flapper styles. (©BETTMANN/CORBIS.)
page by: Mara Sabin