1920's FashionFreedom of Form1920's fashion was revolutionary in the way women dressed and were perceived.
The corsets of those bygone years were unlike those we may see today. They were designed to force women’s form into an S-shape. Most had pieces of bone sewn into the seams which prevented most movement through the torso. In 1906, Paul Poiret designed a high-waisted dress which was corset-free. However, it was not until after World War I that this style really flourished. The end of the war jump started a whole new attitude and lifestyle. Women’s bodies were allowed, for the first time in over a century, to be free from corsets or cinches. During the 1920's, fashion clothing became loose-fitting. Waistlines dropped. Hair was cut shorter. Hemlines rose to a “scandalous” height just below the knee. Red lips became a standard. Up until that point, red only adorned the lips of “trashy” women. Smoking in public, sports, cars, and professions all became popular among women. The Charleston and jazz dominated the music and dancing scene. There was a major rise of the middle class. Up until this point, fashion had really only been designed and targeted for high-class socialites or royalty.
Drawing Influence From Art the ArtsNow, however, fashions from Paris were broadcast through the media. 
After the “Ballet Russes” was performed in Paris, there was a large Japanese influence. Kimono-style robes and Asian embroidery became popular in the form of long dress coats and wraps. Designers drew from true Japanese kimonos. The androgynous garçonne style became popularized. Deemphasizing the bust and giving a boyish slender length to the silhouette. In complete rebellion of the previous standard of beauty.) Art Deco influenced both fashion, art, and architecture. Some designers even used the art as patterns and designs on their creations. As the decade progressed, 1920's fashion saw a shift. Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel designed women’s sportswear. Her designs reflected both comfort and easy movement for the active woman of the day. She was an innovator in using jersey knit material to make her creations. It was a textile only previously used for men undergarments. Her creations were very simple and chic. Quite the opposite of the beginning of the decade. The flapper focused very much on detailing, embellishment, and shine.
Implementing Inspiration From the 20’s1920's fashion holds quite a lot of inspiration for fashion today. 1920's fashion In fact, many pieces from then could be worn now and attributed to modern fashion.
Knee length dresses are very flattering on just about every body type. It allows the torso to have the illusion of being longer and thinner while still showing some leg. Dropped waistlines have also become an integral part of fashion today. I’m sure no one can forget the rise in popular demand of the low-rider jeans. While very few could actually pull these off as fashionable, more often than not they weren’t figure flattering. However, a simple straight dress with a dropped waistline is a very chic and pretty way of adding a 20’s flare to your style. Japanese influence can be brought into any piece. When highlighted properly, it can add drama and dimension to your look. This can be simply done. In a cool jacket or bag with embroidery that mimics the pattern of an authentic Japanese kimono. Art Deco emerged as an intense collage of geometric shapes and lines. 1920's fashion was greatly affected by this type of art as well as surrealism. These artistic elements are quite modern and chic when done in moderation. Red Lips - red-red doesn’t always look the best though with all skin tones. Maybe a warmer red like a coral or a cooler red with a hint of purple in it will work best for you. Try out a couple to see which you like best and which ones work best for you. The bob hair style - a good bob cut never goes out of style. Although if attempting this, go to an excellent salon or hair stylist which you trust. The general length of a bob allows little room for error or change. This decade focused on the shape of a boyish figure. So those with this body type or those who are small-busted can find a lot of great inspiration from this decade. If you fall into another body type, there are still many pieces and places to draw inspiration from. But if you can pull off this look, experiment with it. 1920's fashion is freeing and comfortable so have fun with it.
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Until the beginning of the 1920’s, the shape of women’s bodies was manipulated and controlled by underpinnings. Mainly by the corset. 