Photo From TheClosetHistorian

Have you ever wondered why so many fashion bloggers and influencers are switching to vintage clothing? Scrolling down on Instagram or Facebook, we see countless women sporting vintage outfits in all their glory, giving us a glimpse of the olden times. It makes you wonder, why do we have so much trouble sticking to contemporary fashion solely and how does the fashion industry find a way to revive these time old fashion statements again and again?

Trends like pearl strings and circle skirts which made their debut way back in the 50s are still widely appreciated to this day and are considered classics. The reason why vintage dresses are coming back in fashion is because of their unmatched elegance and quality as these vintage style prints and vintage dresses signify a shift in fashion from the necessity to luxury. If you want to switch to wearing vintage clothing and are wondering where you should start from, then you have come to the right place.

#1 What Is Vintage Style Clothing?

When we talk about the term “vintage” in the world of fashion, it means any piece of clothing that was made 20 years ago but isn’t older than a century. Anything prior to that is considered “antique”. As of now, vintage clothes basically mean anything made from the 20s to the 90s. Yes; that bomber jacket your mom still has from her 20s is a real vintage piece! The significant factor of vintage clothing is that it’s extremely hard to find a real vintage piece since it is common for shopkeepers and “designers” to rip you off by selling you retro clothes in the name of vintage.

Many people easily confuse the difference between “vintage” and “retro”, and they couldn’t possibly be more wrong. The term “vintage” entails something of the past and of durability and also the best of its kind. You can’t get another like it. “Retro”, on the other hand, is short for “retrospective” which means something that mimics the style of any previous era with the lack of its historical value.

#2 How to Start?

One thing you should keep in mind before stepping into the world of vintage fashion is that vintage clothes and trends are classified into 8 categories, one for each decade that vintage fashion prevailed. An ideal 20s look would consist of lots of glamour and fur and all things ultra-luxury. If you’re going for a 30s look, midi vintage dresses are a must. The 40s are known for the two-piece bikini that made their debut in the decade.

The 50s entailed circle skirts and pearl strings and evening gloves. The 60s took a modish turn with miniskirts and turtlenecks. Go for high platform shoes and flared pants paired with blouses for a 70s look. For an 80s look, an asymmetrical peplum vintage dress is definitely a must. The 90s had their nostalgic bucket hats, moody makeup, and tie-dye t-shirts. These are just a few of the must-have fashion staples you need to shop for to start rocking vintage outfits.

#3 Vintage Cuts and Silhouettes:

Each decade of the vintage fashion era had its own significant styles and their cuts and silhouettes are what set them apart from each other. The silhouettes of the 20s were plain as women went for loose, straight dresses, but the glitter made up for it. Puffy shoulders and cinched waists made a bold appearance in the 30s.

Tailored, high waisted pants and blouses created a fitted and smart silhouette in the 40s. The cuts and silhouettes of the 50s were all about dramatically flared skirts and the opposing fitted sheath dress. The 60s went back to simplicity with drop-waist dresses, straight silhouettes, and the occasional mini skirt. The 70s were fitted at the waist and the only flare was in their jeans. For the 80s, think peplum skirts and asymmetrical tops. The 90s didn’t have a significant silhouette or cut.

#4 Vintage Style Prints:

Polka dots were a widely popular print from the 40s to the 60s. Stripes gained their fame in the 60s and stayed in the 70s in funky colors. The 80s entailed houndstooth print jackets and blazers for a bossy look. The 60s also brought feminine plaid prints and soft vintage floral prints. The hippies of the 60s and 70s were known for their happy, colorful floral prints and bohemian prints.

With these tips and tricks up your sleeve, you will have a better and clear idea of where and how to start your vintage dress fashion journey. With a little bit of research and the right clothing stores that cater to the vintage style lovers, you will be able to transform your wardrobe into a Vintage dream.

During the 20th century, technology developed significantly; however, fashion was mainly the same. Until the tubular shape of the 1910s began to emerge towards the end of the decade, there were hardly any changes in women’s wear. Between 1900 and 1910, lace and other ornamentations formed a crucial part of their outfit. As for the men’s wear, the suit was considered as the primary style, while tuxedo became more acceptable for a formal outing during the evening. You would find the children in mini-adults wear and sailor styles. Read further to learn more about the people’s outfit between 1900 and 1910.

· Women’s wear

During the beginning of the decade, the highly designed silhouette remained famous. It wasn’t until towards the end of the decade that the simplification and loosening of the women’s dress materialized. Instead, women wore modest dresses with bodies covered by corsets, and cute ornamentations during the period.

For most of the decade, the S-shape design developed by “health” corset dominated the fashionable silhouette. With the corset, the busts were usually pushed forward while the hips pushed backward to relieve the abdomen from pressure. The shape focused on a narrow waist and broad “mono-bosom.” Also, women wore blousy and loose tops having extra fabric to make the top-heavy shape more pronounced.

· Men’s wear

Similar to women’s wear, there were only a few changes in the men’s fashion compared to the 20th century. Rather than the forms of the garment, only subtle changes were made on details and accessories. The appropriateness of an event governed men’s wears as men wore suits that vary according to formality.

Across the ten years, men’s most formal dress was frock coat and tails for the day and evening, respectively. Before the decade, the frock coat was used only for Sundays or as more conservative daywear. The most common dress for men during the day was the three-piece suit with varying colours and materials. Neckties formed a vital part of the garment, which may feature a small pop of hue sometimes. During the period, the soft-front shirts were introduced, but they only became prevalent in the 1920s. Instead, the more common shirts were the starched shirt-front bearing high collars. Although suit formed the primary daywear during the period, sporty wears were also used during the day time.

· Children’s wear

At the beginning of the new century, there were no significant changes to the kid’s wear. Back then, you would find children in mini-adults similar to the men’s wear and women’s wear. Boys and girls used to wear clothing with stiffly starched material and light colours.

To be specific, girls wore dresses of stiffly starched material, but similar in style to women’s wear with lace on the bodice. For a casual outing, girls would put on pinafore dresses with blouses, black stockings, and shoes. During the winter, they used to put on lace-up boots and gloves to match their outfits.

Back then, the boys wore knickers with “Russian blouses” or tunics, which allows them to move freely. You would see the rest of the leg covered with stockings. Older boys wore suits similar to adults with black shoes or boots. Outside the jackets, the boys would put on stiff Eton collars. Also, sailor suits were popular among the boys.

Conclusion

While the century before 1900 didn’t come with any significant fashion changes, wears for women and men during the decade were outstanding in their own right.

The roaring twenties represented a revolution in fashion and brought with it distinct styles and modes of expression that were uncommon before that time.

The flapper revolution emphasized shorter hairdos, and women chose to dress them up with sparkly headpieces, hats, and headbands.From casual daytime dressing to formal evening gowns – there were specific headband styles that complemented every kind of outfit.

While hats, particularly cloche hats, were favored during the day, fancy night-time looks were incomplete without Bandeau headbands.

The Importance of Headbands in the 1920s

Flapper movie stars increased the importance and desirability for headbands during this time. Women increasingly used their outfits as a mode of self-expression and wanted to convey an aura of desirability and luxury.

This was further heightened by the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1924, as headdresses, tiaras, and head-wraps resembled the garb of Egyptian royalty. Women wanted to emulate the exotic expression of grace and prestige, and so pieces of clothing that resembled them became extremely popular.

Different Characteristics of Headbands in the 1920s

In keeping with this aura of affluence, headbands were typically made of precious gems and stones, feathers, and pearls.

They were designed to be the most eye-catching piece of clothing, and were dramatic and often sparkly, as they were modeled as an homage to royalty and popular movies of the time.

Women used headbands to elevate formal evening looks while adding a touch of personalization and extravagance. It was extremely rare for women to attend events without a headband, hat, or some other form of hair accessory.

Popular Types of Headbands in the 1920s

Being the most popular accessory of the time, a variety of headbands were popular and worn for a plethora of different occasions, from lavish parties to casual lunches. Some of the most popular styles sported during this time were:

1. Wrap-Style Headband

The wrap-style headband was typically made of one long, continuous string of either beads, pearls, or rhinestones and was an elegant and relatively simplistic style favored at the time. It was wrapped around the top of the head and often featured a string of hanging beads on one side.

For more formal events, these strands of pearls could be paired with braids, buns, or worn around the forehead to give a more ornate look.

2. Brain Binder

The brain binder headbands were often favored by teenagers and got their name as a result of their tight-fitting appearance. Their style ranged from thin ribbons to long scarves that were wrapped in a turban style, matching the dress or other accessories worn.

These were one of the more elaborate styles during the 1920s and were decorated with gemstones for an added flair to accompany party and wedding outfits. The fanciest of browbands had Egyptian inspired carvings.

3. Skullcap

The beaded skullcap was one of the symbols of exclusivity in the 1920s. Due to their intricate nature and larger size, they were quite expensive to make and so were only available to the very wealthy.

They required the wearer to have thin and flat hair that it could cover entirely and were often beaded in the form of a hair net or were made of cloth and covered entirely with beads that were designed to match the beading on the wearer’s dress.

The skull cap is also referred to as the Juliette cap in reference to Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet.

4. Tiara

As mentioned previously, much of the style inspiration for the 1920s came from increased knowledge and insight into the lives of Egyptian royalty and their aesthetic expression.

The tiara was another such form of this. Such tiaras were usually made of gold or diamond and secured in place with hair combs.

Like all other headbands, they were paired with a distinctive hairstyle which in this case was fluffy early 20’s style hair which it was partially buried under.

Over time the tiara evolved into becoming more similar to a traditional headband and began to be worn lower on the forehead whilst still keeping the distinctive crown look.

Headbands in Today’s Time

1920s headbands are one of the most easily recognized stylistic choices that can be seen today, and although not as popular, they are still favored by many as more of a bold fashion statement than a necessity – as previously.

Entering into the 2020s has brought with it an increased interest in the style and fashion of the 1920s and there seems to be a resurgence being brought about.

1920 styles are also treated as more of a novelty since they are attaining the status of true antiques and can be quite difficult to find.

Nevertheless, there are many online stores dedicated to selling clothes inspired by the styles of decades gone by, including the 20s, just a click of a button away!

Women in the 1920s were bold and beautiful. Everything they did, including their fashion choices, was revolutionary and changed how female fashion was perceived and accepted in the West.

It's never too late to bring back the past! If you have an appreciation for the outfits for women in the 1920s, you should go out and buy some dresses inspired by 1920s fashion.

The Paradigm Shift

Casual outfits were invented in the 1920s. Before this, women in the Victorian Era had very different fashion choices.

Popular fashion for women before the 1920s included long, modest skirts and long-sleeved tops. For casual clothes, monotone colors like grey and light blues were encouraged.

This was largely due to the ideas surrounding female modesty at the time. Victorian Era is known for its somewhat rigid ideas about propriety, especially about female fashion.

However, the 1920s saw a drastic change in casual-wear for women. 1920’s outfits and 1920’s style was very different because of all the new gimmicks that were introduced.

Colorful dresses became more popular. Also, women started wearing dresses with creative prints and designs on them. For parties, velvet and sequin-laden dresses became extremely popular.

Women started owning up the male-dominated spaces around them, which eventually led to the paradigm shift regarding female fashion in the 1920s.

The Significance Of Casual Outfits For Women In 1920s

This paradigm shift is significant because it was a sign of women reclaiming public spaces and asserting their sexuality. Women would now dress up and go to evening parties and clubs.

Despite conservative attitudes, women worked hard to break the stigma around female fashion in the 1920s. As a result, the idea of reforming casual wear for women was born.

Now women in the 1920s had a lot of stylish and new casual wear options to choose from. Also, reformed casual wear was heavily capitalized, and lots of brands started making casual clothes for women.

It can be assumed that the dresses and other casual wear that is available for women today have evolved from the 1920s.

5 casual 1920s outfits for women

Now that we have established the importance of casual wear in the 1920s let’s talk about the different types of casual clothes that existed in that era. Some of the very popular ones include.

1. Egyptian Styles

After the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in Egypt, the West became extremely inspired by creative Egyptian designs.

Women would get Egyptian symbols printed on their casual dresses. These included skirts and tops that women could wear around the house and at small, casual gatherings.Textile mills started block printing mummies and Egyptian religious symbols on the dresses, which were a huge hit in the 1920s. Also, comfortable and casual Egyptian footwear became very popular in the West.

This footwear included Lotus slippers that could easily fit in your feet and were also very comfortable to wear. Egyptian-inspired dress designs from the 1920s can still be found online because brands continue to make similar clothes.

So if you’re looking to revive some mummies with your fashion choices, go ahead and get yourself some Egyptian-style dresses inspired by the 1920s!

2. Tea Dresses

As the name suggests, tea dresses were casual dresses that women would often wear to tea parties. In England, specifically, tea parties were very common, and women loved to go to them.

These tea parties were a sign of wealth, education, and status. This is why women loved to dress their best before going to these parties.

Women would often dress up in tea dresses. These were light and casual chiffon dresses, often having a color scheme of soft pastel colors. These include soft pinks, whites, and blues.

Another amazing fact about this dress is that it was supposed to be worn without a corset and had a generally loose waist. This was a big change from the tight corsets that were common in Victorian dresses for women.

Tea dresses are still a fashion staple and can be found in stores and online even today. If you like how they look, you should get your hands on one!

3. Silk Dresses

Silk dresses are another example of casual wear. Silk nightgowns were also introduced in the 1920s, and women were crazy about them.

This also has to do with how comfortable silk is and how beautiful dresses look when they are made from this material.

Silk dresses were also a symbol of wealth since silk was generally expensive. Women from the upper-classes especially loved to wear silk not just in fancy parties, but also at casual gatherings.

Silk dresses inspired by the 1920s are still available in markets, and you can easily buy them if you want. The good news for you is that silk is slightly less expensive than it used to be in the 1920s.

4. Knitwear

Women in the 1920s were crazy about knitwear. Especially young, college students. Knitwear was inexpensive and comfortable. It could also be worn casually anywhere the person wanted.

From college to friend gatherings, knitwear looked cute and worked everywhere. It was also budget-friendly, which is a big advantage for broke college students.

If you are a fan of minimalistic, chic clothing that does not cost a lot of money, you should invest in knitwear.

5. Drop-waist dresses

Drop-waist dresses were the absolute dream back in the 1920s. They were light and flowed perfectly and gracefully down a lady’s body.

Not just this, these dresses were also corset-less and were made with comfortable chiffon and cotton materials. These materials made drop-waist dresses extremely comfortable to wear. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this casual-wear was its unique style.

This low-waist and the baggy dress is both stylish and comfortable. The good news is that you can still get it and wear it to all your fun gatherings!

The 1920s is an era known for its glamorous suits and clothing items. Fashion for women was quite diverse, ranging from casual dresses to formal dresses and during the time there was a rise in suits for women.

1920s style varied from dresses to suits and the suits in particular were not only progressive but also gave women a new sense of style.

The Significance of Suits In 1920s

1920s is defined as a decade in which women started doing work. Fashion for women in particular moved away from conservative styles. Shorter, sleeveless suits became the rage and soon women started adopting the elegant and stylish 1920s style.

The suits were a new addition to fashion and soon became prevalent in the 1920s. The suits were less form fitting and easy flowing in order to accommodate work and energetic activities, suitable for labor force or workplace.

Clothing was no longer viewed as a uniform but rather a conduit through which women could express themselves and truly enter the fast paced decade.

Different Characteristics of Suits in the 1920s

Suits from the 1920s were shorter in length compared to the older fashion styles. The suits would usually be in a drop waist style, which means that the suit had a horizontal cut, thus giving the illusion of a longer, leaner torso.

Another interesting characteristic of 1920s suits is that they came with heavy coats. These coats would often come in darker shades and were reminiscent of men’s fashion but gave an air of professionalism to women.

When women started entering the workforce they preferred clothing which allowed them free movement. The suits dresses then not only became a symbol of liberation but also a signifier that more women were joining the workforce.

The suits were often came in simple colors and shades. With no embroidery or lacing, the suits were simple in design but still stylish and elegant.

Different Types of Suits in 1920s

The decade offered a diverse range of styles in terms of suits:

1. Wool Suits

One of the most popular styles for suits in the 1920s were the wool suits. The wool suits were mainly designed as winter wear for women who work. But despite its simplicity, the suits were elegant.

Due to their popularity they came in simple designs for common, everyday wear which women often wore when going out for a casual outing. The suit was being used in both professional and casual settings.

The wool suits were usually accessorized elbow length gloves and intricate hats. Black, white and beige are some common colors for such a suit.

2. Sport Suits

In the 1920s social activities for women were centered on meeting up with friends or attending sporting events in which they would also participate. These activities were a break from the indoor activities women were usually engaged in.

Due to the extensive movements that came with these activities, a sport suit was often made from light material. These suits were more elegant and mellow in nature compared to other styles from the 1920s. The suits would come in muted tones such as white and pastel colors.

Women would often wear a light jacket on top to preserve the professional nature of the suit. The suit would be accessorize with gloves and sporting hats suitable for women.

3. Winter Suits

Winter suits were made from heavy material to accommodate the extreme winters. They were equipped with a thick dress which was worn underneath a heavy coat.

The dress would often have a simple lace trim and came in darker colors such as grey, deep red or black. These suits were worn with fur scarfs and thick gloves.

This suit was mainly worn by wealthy women who could afford the thick material. The suits were worn not only for work but also outdoor parties or outings. They kept women warm while also allowing for easy movements.

4. Travel Suits

Travel suits from the 1920s were designed to accommodate women while travelling. Moving away from heavy materials and too much clothing, travelling suits were lighter in weight and had minimum layering.

Women would often wear a free flowing dress and a light jacket on top for comfort or style. The suit allowed women to remain comfortable while travelling, it allowed the women easy movements and a sense of style.

The travelling suit was accessorized with a simple hat and light gloves.

1920s Suits in Today’s Time

The fashion trends of the 1920s have surely left a permanent mark on the fashion industry. Most of the trends of the time, such as the suits, are all reproduced in the modern age.

The sense of professionalism and style which came out of these suits is replicated in today’s fashion and has given way to more modern types of suits.

The world of makeup as truly evolved. Cosmetics have been used by women for over a century, however, let’s have a sneak peek into the golden era of the 1920's.

With changing fashion and makeup- this was definitely an era of evolving beauty regimes. So how different was this era's makeup from what we do right now?

Face powder

There wasn’t a lot of heavy foundation and concealer back then. However, face powder was, without a doubt very popular.The loose powder was usually kept in small metal jars instead of having compacts. These jars were easy to keep on your person, especially on the go and for touch-ups. The powders did not have a lot of coverage, but did help with evening out your tone and controlling excess oil. It could be applied with a powder puff, all over your face and neck.

Some Rouge

Rouge or now known as a blush-on, was every woman’s favorites back in the 1920s. That rosy flush in the cheeks, which could also be used as a lip tint.The pink cheeks were very popular back then. Every look was incomplete without some rosy cheeks that gave you a blushing look.

The usual way to go was dabbing some rouge pomade on the high points of your cheekbones, it gave women a more lifted and youthful look!

There wasn’t a lot of contouring, so women played around with rouge when it came to different face types. Longer faces needed some blush on their chin, wider faces would apply it near their noses and narrow faces would apply it on their cheekbones.

Darken Those Brows!

Hard to believe, but filling in your brows is almost a century old! The eyebrow arch was growing popular during those times. Bold and fierce eyebrows were a growing trend.Petroleum jelly was used to keep the brows in place. It also made your brow pencil glide on smoother. People chose a pencil shade that matched their natural hair color.

It can cover grey hair, as well as give you that lift! Blonde women used more of taupe color while brunettes went for dark brown to black!

Bold eyes!

Bold eyes were really a trend back then. People usually used black kohl eyeliner and smudged it out for a smokey effect. It gave the eyes pop, especially when blue or green pencils could be used as well.Similarly, mascara was also a thing back then!

However, it wasn’t those tubes we see today. That mascara came in a cake form. This cake was picked up with a spoolie and brushed through the lashes.

Fuller and longer lashes were definitely a thing, and people would also use petroleum jelly and water to brush their lashes upwards.Interestingly, people used their natural eye color to be a guide to what eye shadows they would use! Green and blue eyes people went for vibrant colors, while people with brown or black eyes went for muted plum and red tones.

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