1920s Flappers

The 1920s was a time of exhilarating progress in both economic and social areas of society. Prohibition increased the appeal of drinking, creating a booming nightlife industry. People were eager for entertainment, enjoying widespread professional sports and interesting new inventions, like the creation of film and the automobile. Women had just gained the right to vote from the 1920 19th amendment, and were proud to claim their rights. Flappers were young, lively women who contributed to the roar of the 1920s by dressing differently and participating in risky, enjoyable activities previously reserved for men.

The Roaring Twenties was a prime era for women. Because of the toils of many strong women, ideals were flipped on their head, to America’s benefit. In the late 1800’s, two women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, quickly realized that women would not be able to share their political views unless given the right to vote. Because of the fact that women had basically no other societal roles besides housework, they were not respected during this time period.

They Also Wore Hats And High Heels And Alot More Makeup. The Term Originated From Germany And Stuck So It Came To The U.S And Europe And That 's What They Started Calling The Women That Did These Things. These Women Often Had Jobs That They Held But Would Have A Very Active Nightlife.

After WWI, while Europe countries in reparation from war, America experienced huge economic expansion, which made America the richest country in the world. That period commonly known as the roaring twenties. One of the biggest changes in the society the role in women. Before war, women barely have rights, not even mention jobs, however, during war, women work for the army supplies or nurse. The result of that is women have excess money from continuously working, which led to the appearance of flapper.

In the beginning of the 1920s, women began to adopt new lifestyles that were careless, exciting, and scandalous. These women were called flappers, women who rejected the traditional cult of domesticity and Victorian Era values and began to wear risque outfits for the first time, smoke, drink, and turn to actions that promoted self-indulgence and gratification. The start of the new women lifestyle led to a significant rise in the discussion of gender equality and the quality of life. The passage of the 19th Amendment secured women’s right to vote. This opportunity gave women a voice in the government that was unheard of before, but also played into the gender equality argument that would gain support in the upcoming years.

Flappers one of the most iconic depictions of the 1920s. From scandalous clothing to exotic dancing they were defined as new women. As a way to fight for women's rights and freedoms, to be heard and seen flappers were the new way to be. In 1920 the law for women to be able to vote was passed.

The 1920s was a time of great change. From fashion to politics, this period is known as one of the most explosive decades in American history. After WWI, America became one of the world’s most formidable superpowers. The rise to power prompted the 1920s to become a decade of evolution for women’s rights, African American’s rights, and consumerism. In the early twentieth century, women’s status in society was continuously evolving.

The white slavery epidemic can be traced back to the time period; the 1920s was a period of evolution for the typical woman, where the response was the flapper; a “...tomboyish and flamboyant [female]: [with] short bobbed hair; knee-length, fringed skirts; long, draping necklaces; and rolled stockings” and also it was stated in the same article that “...few women actually fit this image, it was used widely in journalism and advertising to represent the rebelliousness of the period” (Culture in the 1920s: Loosening Social Structure). The image of the new woman, the flapper, was just as manipulated by the press as it was for white slavery. The flapper was described to be more promiscuous, and to have more sexual freedom than before, having the ability to show kees which was frowned upon before.

Lloyd Armbrust reputes that the flappers abandoned the old generation’s unflattering and tight fashion with their flowing dresses with bobbed hair to display their confidence. Flappers would hang their corsets and cut their hair to illustrate how women had the ability to wear what they want and be who they please. They disapproved of the modest dresses women were expected to wear and ridded themselves of the patriarchy’s body shaming notions. Before the 1920s, women were rarely seen in bars and saloons but, as the Prohibition was implemented, Armbrust notes the flappers segregated the bars to drink freely. These women had the ability to defy what society told them and learned that being “selfless” was oppressive.

Since early ages, mothers have always criticized the ways their daughters acted. In the 1920s criticisms were taken a step further by the flappers, who completely revolutionized the view on females. Flappers in the 1920s had an impact on women for the future. Who they were, what they wore, and what their morals were was how their impacts changed the future for all the females. “The term "flapper" originated in the 1920s and refers to the fashion trend for unfastened rubber galoshes that "flapped" when walking, an attribution reinforced by the image of the free-wheeling flapper in popular culture.”

In the 1920s there were bold, venturesome, dauntless young women who broke society's idea of women standards to change the whole American culture. The book, Flapper, by Joshua Zeitz discusses the effects that books, movies, and celebrities of this time, had on the average women, which caused this era of flappers. These young women known as flappers weren’t the only change that the post World War One era brought. Throughout the book, these changes are brought up from religion to morals, to other changes, and these changes are what would completely develop new social norms in America.

Before the 1920s there was a certain way women were expected to look

After the 19th amendment was passed, giving women the right to vote, woman began leaving behind their traditional roles and taking on new responsibilities, fashion trends and claiming their independence.(Doc 5.The New Woman). The younger generation of ladies in the 1920s surfaced into what is know as a flapper. Flappers listened to jazz music, embraced risqué fashion trends, and took part in bold behavior, which challenged their stereotype and led to more tension. The need breed of woman wanted to be accepted by the older generation, who often judged and disagreed with their new lifestyle. (doc 6.

The 1920s influence is still seen in today 's culture, many people still embrace the 1920s as an age of great change and individualism. This age made woman who they are today, not only through fashion but by breaking down barriers to new forms of lifestyles not discovered by the common people. Not only was fashion used to express the rebellious lifestyle but today it is used to express who people are and where they come from as in what their occupation is as well as gender and race. Without the fashion of the 1920s fashion would be but a synonym for clothing and would have no meaning or power towards it. Therefore the 1920s was the most influential time period for men and woman’s fashion but mostly woman’s fashion because it broke boundaries so that women could succede

In the 1920s fashion was a movement of freedom with flappers, bobbed hairstyles and using art as a fashion statement. “Fashion should be stylish and fun,” (Twiggy). In any decade fashion was a way of saying something. One of the women’s careers was being in the fashion industry.