The Roaring Twenties During the roaring twenties women gained a new set of personal freedoms. These freedoms were expressed through fashion, lifestyle, and occupation. Women fought hard against the stereotypes and prejudices of the the roaring twenties which had been carried in from past generations, broke free from many expectancies, and we have carried their beliefs into current times.
During the 1920s women gained a freedom that they had not known before. Women were wearing new and shorter fashion styles (document 4). Before the 1920s women’s fashion included floor length dresses that were usually reworn every day. Wearing the same dress every day was seen as a normality during this time and owning too many dresses could have been considered frivolous. In the 1920s however many women owned multiple dresses that they did not have to wear every day or even week. The new fashions were called the flapper style and were worn above the knee and were adorned by beads and jewelry (document 4). The 1920s changed women's fashion for the better by allowing for more freedom in what they could wear. As for the flapper style, there was the idea that the modern woman was wearing this
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Before now they could not or often were not allowed to work so this led to a major change in the workforce (document 5). Women in the middle class before the 1920s were married to rich or well-off men so they did not have to work. Working before the 1920s was considered low class. But during the 1920s these young women wanted to have a glamorous life which could include working in a high end boutique (document 5). These young women often moved to big cities to achieve their dreams of working in a clothing store (document 5). Coming out of the 1920s women got jobs and made their own money. Even though women could get jobs in the 1920s, work for women did not become popularized everywhere until World War II and
Despite this, women were able to make a huge impact on America through social reforms. Many young women went against the beliefs of their parents. Prior to the Roaring Twenties, America was in a Victorian era. Women wore dresses that were floor-length, their hair was long and premarital sex was almost non-existent. During the 1920’s however, some women became what are known as “flappers”.
The Roaring Twenties arose with new trends, new technology, and a new morality. With wars finally and completely over, it was time for Americans to have some fun and let all the tension go. The women were able to free some of their restrictions with the ability to drink, vote, and have their own reputation. Also, Americans released the stress through using new technology, such as cars, airplanes, and radios. The Twenties finished with a screeching halt as the growth in the economy collapsed and the Great Depression into the next decade.
During this decade women started to go beyond the job restrictions set by men. Women were expected to stay at home and tend to the children, clean the house, and cook for their family yet they soon
Mostly influenced by the media, during the day women were expected to always look perfect, presentable and expected to be wearing a dress: “Emphasis was on practical but attractive housedresses, not only for household chores but suitable for quick errands or the school run.” ("1950 to 1960"). But in contrast, for the evening 's, big extravagant dresses in all different colors and patterns were the norm. Nowadays, most mothers are not expected to be perfect and around the house jeans are a must. Shoes were along the same lines with Oxfords and other casual shoes being
In this aspect, the 1920s were one of the most influential decades in U.S. history because of the introduction of the "New Women". "New Women," or flappers, were young women who embraced the new ideas, freedoms, and modernism of the Roaring Twenties. Flappers wore new and popular clothing from the era. Their signature look was short "bob" hair, which represented their independence to men. A majority of flappers were women's suffrage activist.
It was hard for women to find jobs, because many people believed women needed to saty in the house with the kids. The most common jobs given to women involed childeren. The most common job for women in the 1930’s was a school teacher and a nurse. 25.4% of all women worked if they were 14 or older. The pay for a man and a women in the 1930’s was so different, and it was only because of their gender.
(Hatton 2) Women in this era, were a far image from previous women. They turned the 1920s into a model of modern women hood by dominating the american cultural scenes. The flapper look was very different than what the women previously of the 1920s wore. Physically the women had bobbed hair, noticeable makeup, and flashy lipstick.
They chopped off their long hair and styled it as a chin-length bob instead. In a magazine article written during the twenties, the author stated, “Her skirts are short because it’s the fashion.” The expression “Flapper girls” became a common term for young ladies that acted out against the conventional behaviors. These girls were known for their tendencies to drink, smoke, say “unladylike” words, and be more “sexually free” than earlier generations (History.com). Not all girls acted like the iconic flapper girl, but many had started to stray from the closely held values of earlier
The 1920s carried much change in society. Some of these changes were more rights for women, jazz music, and prohibition. The people of the 1920s were disillusioned by society lacking in idealism and vision, sense of personal alienation, and Americans were obsessed with materialism and outmoded moral values (The Roaring Twenties).Cultural changes were strongly influenced by the destruction of World War I ending 1918. America needed to recover and with it youth rebelled against the norms of the older generations.
The 1920s were the first years of the new, modern America, with a growing consumer society and new ideas and rules. America saw many changes throughout this decade, including but not limited to social, economic and political changes. Throughout this time, new values were made with the growth of new forms of entertainment and education. After the Progressive Era, the ideas of political figures changed with a new focus on conservative politics and less labor issues. With the new ability for people to buy other products than basic needs, their money went to new inventions, causing new industries to grow.
The Roaring Twenties, characterized as a progressive era toward changes and advances, it was a start for freedom and independence for women. Women gained political power by gaining the right to vote. They changed their traditional way to be, way to act and dress to gain respect, and the liberty of independence. Society had different ways of ideals and the ways women were willing to do were disapproved of, and it was wrong for lots of different people, including women from the older generation. In the 1920’s women went through a lot of changes that made them a free spirit, changes that made them what they are now and having the liberty of being independent.
1920s Fashion The 1920’s was a dynamic influence on men’s and women’s fashion. Moreso the impact woman had on society and how their influence manipulated the fashion of the 1920s. Jazz,World War I, prohibition, the 19th Amendment are just some of the factors that contributed to the dramatic shift in the culture that we still admire today. During this time ‘the fashion landscape shifted like tectonic plates” (“retro”), everyone wanted to be in style and have the newest and glamorous clothes. Designer brands and unique hairstyles is still a lifestyle that we still see in today 's society and is growing.
The 1920s in America, also known as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of political, social, economic, technological, and cultural developments. These developments created new changes and helped shape the ways of life of the American people. Women played a significant example in social changes. From improvements in the education system, to minor developments such as the changes in attire. Another major development was economic production.
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.
Jalan Herbin History 102 Jeffery Leatherwood 10 September 2015 The Roar of the Twenties The Roaring Twenties were the time of maintained monetary success with an unmistakable social edge in New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and numerous other real urban communities. Financially the period saw a rapid growth in utilization of cars, phones, movies, power, and remarkable modern development. In most significant nations ladies won the privilege to vote.