The 1920s and the unmatched ‘Flapper Style’ go hand-in-hand – that era was all about roaring wild, kindling party-spirit, and fluttering your way glamorously into the club. If you happen to shop for vintage costumes today, above everything else, you are likely to spot rows of various flapper style dresses and Gatsby suits because a) designers still love to recreate the beaded low-waistlines and classic tuxedos from the 1920s, and b) that particular fashion line is one of the few timeless highlights of the 1900s era.

Characterized from the 1920s, we are going to look at how you can reproduce the exotic Flapper style that marked history with its modest length and virginal cleavage. 
Guide to Dressing like a 1920s Flapper:

1)The Hairstyle 

Starting from the crown, you need to get your hairstyle on spot. There was a classic, long-lasting trend of short hair or bob-cut for women in the 20s. Without pulling off the hairstyle first, your neck-below look will simply not spark the fire.

A tom-boyish haircut, if you already have one, is best. Women with longer hair can use wigs. Make a tight bun or plaits and pin it up on your head to accommodate beneath the wig. If you can’t find a wig that upholds your long hair, try making a chignon. Make a low ponytail at the nape, and wrap the tail into a bun. Secure with pins.

While bob-styled hair was more hip and relevant to flapper dressing, you can still prettily adjust your longer tresses to rock that classic look.

2)The Headgear 

Long or short hair matters second to getting the perfect headgear for your 20s flapper dress. The headbands and forehead bands were extremely prevalent in that time, along with hair combs or tiaras. These were designed with gemstones, feathers, or crystals to complement the fancy, beaded dress. If you get your hands on a headband, make sure you place it just above the brow. It looks cool, vintage, and very epic.

You can also opt for skull-fitting net caps, peacock Gatsby turbans, or the flapper style feather ribbons featured at the side of your face. The favorite thing to do for women of 20s was wearing headwear in peculiar styles. The variety is vast, even more so today than it was way back in that era. Pick the accessory that outlandishly complements your dress, which is what we will discuss next. Shop for your wear with only one thought in mind: the uproar style was the heart of the 1920s.

3)Choosing the Dress 

The JazzAge, as the 1920s are famously known by, was a time when several new inventions took place, and the world of arts and entertainment roared over. Emerging from a rather tamed, unglamorous decade, the 1920s was like an exhilarating gust of wind.

The flapper dress, the climax of the era, was designed to keep the conformity of women in view. Deep cleavages, immodest hemlines, or dresses that accentuated curves were considered offensive. Flapper dresses came with the boyish cut; almost straight off from the chest to the hips. The neckline was never too daring, and the hemline was never too up. These were, most of the time, sleeveless, of knee-length and laced with fancy beads.

You would want a dress that has a V-shaped back or front, is stitched with beads, or sequins and has a low-waistline belt that masks the curves. Fringes were also one of the highlights, with fabrics popularly like chiffon, satin or crepe. If you are unable to find a fancy beaded flapper dress, go for a plain one and flare it up with costume jewelry.

4)The Shoes 

Not nearly as important as the dress and the headwear, going for T-strapped heels will be cherry on top to vitalize the JazzAge energy. Black, silver, or gold in low heels, rounded toes, or pumps were the popular picks to dance all night in. The shoes were infancy, chosen to keep one comfortable as they would spiritedly enjoy Charleston at the club-nights.

5)Costume Jewelry

Flapper dresses were elevated with the addition of simple jewelry or other accessories, such as gloves, pearl necklaces, or cigarette holders. These finishing touches will time-travel you completely back to the Roaring 20s and to the age of fresh music and marathon dance.

Men in the 1920s

Men, on the other hand, enjoyed the more gangster look with slimmer-fitting suits, fedora hats, tuxedos from the James Bond, sports shoes, and an extra mimicry from the movies. Pinstripes were common, and anything else that complied with the Gatsby or gangster appearance.

Do you have a scheduled a costume party this weekend? Or are you contemplating for an offbeat get-up? You now know what to do!

Cristobal Balenciaga was born in the year 1895, in a small village located in the Basque region of northern Spain named Getaria. A Spanish couturier who was well-known for his innovative ideas, supreme designs, and majestic craftsmanship, Balenciaga took his first steps towards the fashion industry with the help of his mother who was a tailoress. He set up his first fashion house in the year 1917 in San Sebastian at the mere age of 22. He named this fashion house Eisa that was a short form of the maiden name of his mother, Martina Eizaguirre Embil. Later on, he established fashion houses in Madrid and Barcelona before he eventually moved to Paris. The fashion house he opened on the Avenue Georges V immediately turned into the most valuable and exclusive couturier. Balenciaga was well acquainted with the craft of fashion designing and excelled at each phase of crafting procedure of the dress, from the point of drafting a pattern to cutting, fabricating, and finalizing an outfit.


Balenciaga came to be called The Master of haute couture and has given shape to some of the finest fashion trends in the 1950s clothing style. He was seen as an inspiration for all those who wanted to master similar skills, and the works he produced still inspire many across the globe. A lot of his magnificent designs had an influence of his Spanish heritage. Black lace, matador outfits, and flamenco dresses were often seen in his works. The 1950s clothing style that was introduced by Balenciaga gave rise to shapes that were entirely new and a fascinating invention in the world of 1950s women's fashion. The early 1950s saw balloon hems and mid-1950s witnessed the arrival of semi-fit lines that had fitted fronts but lose backs. The late 1950s was a marvelous surprise for the fashion industry as this was the time during which Balenciaga introduced the famous sack dresses that incorporated no waist and though this radical design met extreme criticism, it eventually turned into a success that still has hearts of many.

The theme of body abstraction also came form Cristobal Balenciaga in the form of baby doll dresses that were a part of the late 1950s women’s fashion. Balenciaga was the face of revolution in the 1950's clothing style and is respected and admired by many and that included his contemporaries as well. He used new fabrics all the time, his patterns came with innovative cuts, and the architectural shapes he crafted were bold and serve as an inspiration even to this day to all the fashion designers in the making. Scroll down to find a list of fashion items that were finely crafted by the hands of Cristobal Balenciaga: the King of Fashion:

1)Flamenco-Style Evening Dress

This beautiful flamenco-style evening dress was created by Balenciaga in 1961. The pink color of this dress gives it a super classic look and the tail of the dress gives it the style it required. The upper torso is wrapped in a body-fitting piece and the ruffles at the bottom add the volume to this magnificent clothing article.

2)Bolero Jacket and Lace Cape

This bolero jacket designed and produced by Balenciaga incorporates the elements of his Spanish heritage. The black lace and motifs resemble those that are usually seen in the traditional mantilla shawls worn by Spanish women on special occasions. The lace cape with a matching ribbon tied into a bow at the collar served as an ideal accessory to pair with other outfits.

3)Baby Doll Evening Dress and Envelope Dress

The baby doll evening dress by Balenciaga was yet another iconic approach towards 1950s women's fashion. This dress came with a trapeze-like shape that skimmed the waist. The envelope dress was the extreme point in the concept of abstraction and incorporated dramatic four-pointed envelop detailing. These dresses had a sculptural design and were often made out of stiff yet lightweight silk gazar. The envelop dress met instant success in the fashion press but was not very successful when it came to his clientele.

4)Glamorous Coat

Glamorous coats were Balenciaga’s other specialty. These coats were the definition of minimalist aesthetic and had the potential of making the wearer stand out of the crowd with ease as this majestic 1950s clothing style simply had no match. This beautiful coat was produced by Balenciaga and embroidered by Lesage to develop into a creation that was as stunning as anything, and currently rests in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

5)Skirt Suit

This simple yet classic skirt suit was Balenciaga’s creation and inspired many fashion and costume designers and continues to do so even today. The static pattern of this skirt suit combined with wide collar coat and button detailing adds perfection to this already perfect design.

Call it blocking the sun or a gracious extension of the Victorian era, women in the Roaring 20s did not leave their houses without putting on a hat or headwear first. From cloche hats to bonnets and turbans, there was plentiful of amazing choices available that would go with their tons of outfits all year round.

You can pick any of these hats to nail your 1920s look. Have a look.

Cavalier & Bi-Corn Hats 

The enormous hat fashion from the previous decade prevailed only for some time in the 1920s until the feather tapestry was banned and fashion designers came up with the Cavalier hats. Inspired by the movie, The Three Musketeers, these hats were crafted seasonally from either straw or velvet. Although the leading ladies of the movie wore Cavalier hats that had three horns, the Bi-corn hat style that followed suit gained much more popularity. Folded up only on two pointed sides, the Bi-corn hats often had a bow, tassel, ribbon, feather, or jewel dangling low on one side.

Turbans 

Turbans were another fashionable pick for men and women in the 1920s. The turban headwear became so trendy that people would even wear it to formal evening parties and gatherings, decorated with brooches and jewels. Although merely a cloth wrapped around the head, fashion architects crafted turbans in fascinating styles that would cover the whole or half of the head and yet look utterly glamorous.

Women would often make a turban out of a headscarf, wrapping it horizontally around the head or down to their hair length. They come with jewels fastened or fancy decoration, which at times would be detachable to serve for either purpose. Paired with gloves and costume jewelry such as the pearl necklace, turban hats would do wonders with any of the 1920s dresses.

Cloche Hats 

They arrived in the year 1924 and dominated the headwear for almost a decade. The Cloche hats were one-of-a-kind; these had an apology for a brim, reached low on the brows, and fitted snugly on the skull that women had to have a bob haircut. The low hat-line made it difficult to see far ahead, so women would march chin up and effortlessly create an aura of feminine arrogance that conformed to that era.

These were worn for everyday use and were still able to fill the need for a more proper headwear. The increasing fame for Cloche hats amounted to an increase in their versatility – people would put on a cloche hat for formalwear and find it best suited. Their snug style, bow crown, and delicate embroidery were sufficient as it was which consequently birthed the idea to expand the Cloche collection. The hats started to emerge with longer brims, and the space for variation expanded.

Sporty Beret Hats

These prevailed from the previous decades, enjoying the sporty look with a floppy style. The fabric would weigh down at one side with minimum additions, and the beret hats were the perfect go-to-headgear for outdoors, sweaters, plaid skirts, and horseback riding. The later years transformed the sporty beret hats into chic French berets which prevailed for many years the following suit.


Contrary to the limited collection of hats composed today, fashion designers had a colossal of ideas in that era. Eyes stealing tantalizing looks, with long/short hair hidden under a hat were a provocative sight to see and thus added on dramatically to the docility of the women. It now gets easier to understand why women from that era are still symbolized for their submissiveness and ravishing femininity.

As current fashion trends take over the wardrobe of most, there are such individuals, who have the knack to revisit history. To look different, yet fresh and out of the ordinary. Filling their cupboard with all things vintage, they combine fashion with history, exhibiting a blast from the past moment. Always keeping an eye out for affordable and quality vintage dresses, shopping vintage is their favorite past-time. 

However, vintage fashion isn’t an easily achievable feat. There is a lot of wandering through stores, rummaging through piles, and trying on clothes. Finally, you find the vintage dress you always wanted, glowing through a mound of vintage-style prints.

Pair yourself with a friend who likes shopping vintage, and embark on the vintage dress shopping spree of your dreams. Here are a few tips, to make this spree easier and effective for you:

• Broaden your Mind (and tastes!)

If you are a true vintage-enthusiast, you are aware of the treasures you may find when going through a thrift store. From shirts to turtlenecks to flapper dresses to body-hugging silk vintage dresses, all lines the stands waiting to be bought and adored.

Everybody has a specific taste, however, the first thing you should do whilst entering a vintage shop, is to have an open mind. To be willing to try anything and everything that suits you. Never enter thinking to buy a single sweater, because you might miss out on the best vintage-style printed dress you could ever find. Scavenge through the store, and leave with the best find of the day, and your heart fulfilled to the brim.

• Opt for a Fusion of Vintage and Modern

Although you have gone to shop vintage, know the notion less is more. Alongside upholding vintage dress fashion, it is imperative to appear trendy too. Dressed in vintage from top to bottom may aware over-the-top, and a tad like you are an attendant to a costume party. Instead, represent the past with a modern twist. When going to shop, get the perfect sweater vintage dress of the 1960s, and pair it up with currently chunky jewelry and boots. A past-present fusion – what can be better? 

• Be Vary of Sizes

Vintage shopping is never easy to do online due to the differing sizes of the past. For instance, if you are a current size 8, you will fit into a ‘80s size 10, ‘70s size 12, and a size 14 of the ‘50s! 

This means, be sure to try out whatever you pick, and do not fear the size tag – perhaps the only time we can say this (sigh!).

• Choose What Speaks YOU

Remember vintage shopping is less different to regular shopping than people have made it out to be. Thus do not opt for a fashion trend of an era you feel is not your type. For some, the flapper dresses of the Roaring 20s may not be their cup of tea. For others, some vintage style-prints may not suit their body figure.

In such cases, it is better to choose the era, and the fashion style which speaks to you, of you. Go for bold prints if you are the bubbly, joyous kind. Go for pastel shades of the past, if subtle is what you want. Do not choose on a vintage dress or style, simply because the theme was a specific era. Remember, your clothes represent you, and should be a mirror image of you. 

• Do not be Brand-Conscious

When looking for vintage dress fashion, know that seldom do brands matter. The best vintage dresses can often be found in thrift stores, and street lining kiosks. Yes donning an Armani label is another feel in itself. However, fall in love with vintage clothing for itself, not for the label. Love the print, the fabric, the style, and the era it represents. For if you love what you wear, no matter where it’s from – you are bound to look a million bucks.

• Vary Second-Hand Remnants

With vintage clothing comes the idea of wear and tear – for thrift stores usually have second-hand clothing. The idea of used clothing should not upset you, for this is the art of vintage, of pre-loved fashion. However, as you purchase, be vary of the extent of wear and tear. A single missing button may be easily replaced and sewn. However, stains, sweat marks, broken zips, and torn hemlines seldom find their way back to how they were earlier. A bit of snip and tuck in vintage clothing is usual, however if the required amendments are many, you may be better off with another vintage dress instead.


As you leave for your vintage shopping spree, be equipped with all these factors, and be ready to put your bargaining skills to use in case you are going to thrift stores. Enter with a smile, look for your heart’s desire, and in case you don’t find a vintage dress at that moment, ask them when they get their new stock in.

Get, set, shop!

Hour Glass figure

Oscar Looks in the 1940s

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Other looks

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